370 KLOOF AND KARROO. 



some dreadful mystery we know nothing of. Have 

 you ever noticed that even the Kaffirs in the kraal 

 a few miles away beyond the poort never enter 

 here ? Not a soul amongst the farmers comes near 

 us, and as for ' Tao,' he never seems happy now, 

 and is always restless, suspicious and alarmed." 



That same night the wild, unearthly scream 

 rose again ; the same tumult was heard in the stable, 

 and Stephen rushed out ; and once again he saw the 

 figure passing in front of him. This time he had 

 his rifle loaded, and after calling once, fired. Still 

 the figure retreated ; another shot was fired, but to no 

 purpose ; the figure apparently glided imperceptibly 

 onwards, and then suddenly disappeared, as it 

 seemed, sheer into the earth. Goodrick knew so 

 well his powers with the rifle, with which he had 

 been famous as a deadly shot, that he could not 

 bring himself to believe he had missed twice within 

 fifty yards. From this incident he could form no 

 other conclusion, and he shivered as he thought so, 

 that the night disturber was not of human mould. 



Meanwhile the horses were becoming worn to 

 shadows, their coats stared, they lost flesh and 

 looked altogether miserable. Fresh horses had been 

 brought in, but the effect was ever the same. Shortly 

 after, two of the Swellendam Hottentots left, and 

 the other two, with Cupido and Mrs. Goodrick's 

 servant, alone remained. Goodrick was now in 

 great straits ; he could not immediately procure 

 other native servants, and only managed to get 

 through his farm work with the greatest trouble 

 and labour. 



Things drifted on uncomfortably for another 

 week or two, and each day, as it came and went, 



