He was drenched to the skin in five seconds.
The lightning flashes were less frequent now, and the darkness in
between less intense. He splashed his way cautiously round the
bungalow to the stable.
A frightened whinnying greeted him. He heard the animals stamping
in the sodden straw, but the water was not so deep here. It
scarcely covered their hocks.
He spoke reassuringly to them as he made his way to Diamond,
Sylvia's mount. Diamond had always been a favourite with him since
the day she had laid her face against his nose, refusing to doubt
him. By faith and love! By faith and love!
He saddled the horse more by feeling than sight, and led him out.
The rain was still beating furiously down, but Diamond did not
flinch with his master's hand upon him. He stood firm while Burke
swung himself up. Then, with the lightning still flashing athwart
the gloom and the thunder rolling in broken echoes all around them,
they went down the track past the _kopje_ to find the hut on the
sand.
CHAPTER XII
THE SACRIFICE
The sound of water, splashing, welling, overflowing, was
everywhere. It was difficult to keep the track, but Diamond trod
warily. He knew the _veldt_ by heart. Passing the _kopje_, the
rush of the water was like the spouting of a thousand springs. It
gurgled and raced over its scarred sides.
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