There too on their farther
side lay Menzi, shining with perspiration, and in a swoon or sleeping.
"Come away," said Thomas shortly, and they turned to go, but at this
moment something happened.
Menzi, it will be remembered, had given Tabitha a kid of a long-haired
variety of goat peculiar to these parts. This little creature had
already grown attached to its mistress and walked about after her, in
the way which pet goats have. It had followed her that morning, but not
being interested in tricks or magic, engaged itself in devouring herbs
that grew amongst the tumbled stones of the old kraal.
Suddenly Menzi recovered from his faint or seizure and, looking up,
directed his attendants to return the magical ebony rods which burned
without being consumed to one of the hide bags that contained his
medicines. The assembly began to break up amidst a babel of excited
talk.
Tabitha looked round for her goat, and perceiving it at a little
distance, ran to fetch it, since the creature, being engaged in eating
something to its taste, would not come at her call. She seized it by the
neck to drag it away, with the result that its fore-feet, obstinately
set upon the wall, overturned a large stone, revealing a great puff
adder that was sleeping there.
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