CHAPTER XVI.
MISUNDERSTANDINGS For some days after the acrimonious conversation that has been reported, the relations between Leonard and Juanna were not a little strained, although the necessities of travel brought them into continual contact.
Both felt that they had cause of complaint against the other, and both were at heart somewhat ashamed of the part which they had played.
Leonard regretted ever having made the agreement with Soa, and Juanna, now that she had cooled down a little, regretted having spoken as she did upon the subject.

Her pride was offended; but, after all, how could he know?
Besides, he was an adventurer, and it was natural that he should make terms.

Doubtless also his anxiety to win fortune had to do with the lady whose name was written in the prayer-book.
Perhaps this lady was only a maiden aunt, but a great desire seized Juanna to know about her; and when such a wish enters the heart of woman it is probable that she will find a means to satisfy it.

Having no one else to ask, Juanna sounded Otter, with whom she was on friendly terms, only to find that the subject of Jane Beach did not interest the dwarf.
He hazarded a remark, however, that doubtless she was one of the Baas's wives when he lived in his big kraal over the water.
This disgusted Juanna somewhat, but the allusion to a "big kraal" excited the curiosity, of which she had a certain share, and very adroitly she questioned the dwarf concerning it.

He rose to the fly without hesitation, and told her that his master had been one of the greatest men in the world, and one of the richest, but that he lost his possessions through the wicked arts of foemen, and was come to this country to seek new ones.
Indeed Otter enlarged upon the theme, and, anxious to extol his beloved chief's worth in the eyes of the Shepherdess, it would not be too much to say that he drew upon his own imagination.