372 KLOOF AND KARROO. 



tongue upon mountain and valley, showing 

 momentarily, with photograph-like clearness, every 

 object around. Sleep on such a night was out of 

 the question, and Goodrick and his wife sat together 

 listening to the hideous tumult with solemn faces. 

 At length, at about twelve o'clock, the storm for a 

 brief space rolled away, only to return in half an 

 hour with increased severity. 



Goodrick had gone for a few moments to the 

 back door, which faced partly towards the entrance 

 to the kloof, and found Cupido standing there 

 seemingly listening intently. As the tempest 

 approached again with renewed ferocity, some 

 strange confused noises, shrieks and shouts as it 

 seemed, were borne upon the strong breeze that now 

 preceded and hurried along the thunder clouds. 



"Hallo!" said Goodrick, "what the deuce is 

 that ? There surely can't be a soul about on such a 

 night as this ? " Again a hideous scream was borne 

 up the valley. " Good God ! that's the very yell 

 we've heard so often round here at night," repeated 

 the Englishman. " It's not leopard, it's not hyaena ; 

 what on earth is it, Cupido ? " The Hottentot was 

 now trembling in every limb ; his yellow, monkey- 

 like face had turned ashy grey, and his bleared eyes 

 seemed full of some intense terror. " Baas (master), 

 it's Jan Prinsloo's night, and if you're wise you'll 

 shut the doors fast, pull down the blinds, and not 

 stir or look out for an hour." 



" What do you mean, man ? " 



" I mean that the ghosts of Jan Prinsloo, who 

 was slain here years ago, and his murderers, are 

 coming up the kloof." At that moment the cries 

 and shoutings sounded up the valley closer and 



