I know something of the tricks of these gentlemen of old." They entered the rough stable, where the big Kaffir was standing on one side and greeted them with a heavy scowl.
"Well, Jack," said Ingleborough, "are the ponies eating their corn ?" "Yes, baas," said the black gruffly; "eat um all fast." "Ah, I thought so," said Ingleborough quietly, sniffing and blowing on the musty trash.

"Do you feed your horses on stuff like this ?" He turned so sharply on the Kaffir that the man shrank as if from a blow; but his questioner smiled.
"Not your fault, I suppose ?" "Baas say, `Give ponies thaht,'" he replied apologetically.
"Of course, my lad," said Ingleborough, drawing out a shilling and slipping it into the black's hand.
"Now you get some of the best corn, and see that the horses eat it.

You understand ?" "Yes, baas," said the man, with a sharp click, as his eyes glistened and he showed his white teeth in a satisfied grin.

"Soon my baas go away, give them good to eat." "Is your baas going away ?" "Iss; saddle pony; go away." As the black spoke he pointed to the farther end of the long mud-walled shed, where another pony was tied up.
Just then the shrill voice of the Boer vrouw was heard calling, and the Kaffir gave a shout in reply.
"Tant' Ann want um," he said, and he ran out, joined the lady at the door, and was dismissed to get some fuel from a heap, while the farmer came out, smoking away, and Ingleborough left the shed with West as if to join him.
"Are you going to give him your opinion ?" said West.
"No: we can't afford to quarrel.

The Kaffir will take care of our nags now, and get another tip for his pains." The next minute they were close up to their host, who had evidently been thinking over the words which had last been exchanged.
"You Englanders," he said, "think you are very clever; but the Boers beat you before, and they're going to beat you more this time, and drive you all into the sea." "Very well!" said West, smiling.