though, intended by nature to be a man of many inches, he had been
compressed to his present dimensions by art. His vast chest and limbs,
indicating strength nearly superhuman, his long iron arms and massive
head, all gave colour to this idea. Otter had one redeeming feature,
however--his eyes, that when visible, which at this moment was not the
case, were large, steady, and, like his skin, of a brilliant black.

"What has happened?" said Leonard, also speaking in Dutch.

"This, Baas! Last night those three Basuto villains, your servants, made
up their minds to desert. They told me nothing, and they were so cunning
that, though I watched even their thoughts, I never guessed. They knew
better than to tell me, for I would have beaten them--yes, all! So they
waited till I was sound asleep, then came behind me, the three of them,
and tied me fast that I should not hinder them and that they might take
away Baas Tom's gun which you lent me, and other things. Soon I found
out their plans, and though I laughed in their faces, oh! my heart was
black with rage.

"When the Basuto dogs had tied me they mocked me, calling me foul
names and saying that I might stop and starve with the white fools,
my masters, who always dug for yellow iron and found so little, being
fools. Then they got together everything of value, yes, down to the
kettle, and made ready to go, and each of them came and slapped me on
the face, and one burnt me here upon the nose with a hot brand.

"All this I bore as a man must bear trouble which comes from the skies,
but when Cheat took up Baas Tom's gun and the others came with a reim
to tie me to the rock, I could bear it no more. So I shouted aloud and
drove at Cheat, who held the gun. Ah! they had forgotten that if my arms