It. I told the others, we'll all be out at Theunis Kraal tomorrow.

Good, Waite nodded. You'll stay for lunch, of course.

We've got a lot to talk about. Is it what I think it is? Erasmus

grinned wickedly. The tobacco had stained his beard yellow around his

mouth and his face was brown and wrinkled. I tell you all about it

tomorrow, Steff . Waite winked at him, but in the meantime you'd better

get that old muzzle-loader of yours out of moth-balls. They laughed,

one deep down and the other a rusty old laugh. Grab the bags, Sean.

Let's get home. Waite took Ada's Arm and they walked with Erasmus to

the buggy. Ada had on a new dress, blue with leg o'mutton sleeves and a

picture hat. she looked lovely but a little worried as she listened to

them talking. It's strange how women can never face the prospect of war

with the same boyish enthusiasm as their men. Sean! Waite Courtney's

roar carried clearly from his study along the corridor and through the

closed door of the sitting-room. Ada dropped her knitting into her lap

and her features set into an expression of unnatural calm.

Sean stood up from his chair. You should have told him earlier, Garrick

said in a small voice. You should have told him during lunchI didn't

get a chance. Sean! Another blast from the study.

What's happened now? asked Ada quietly. It's nothing, Ma. Don't worry

about it Sean crossed to the door. Sean, Garrick's stricken voice,

Sean, you won't, I mean you don't have to tell - He stopped and sat

hunched in his chair, his eyes full of desperate appeal. It's all

right, Garry, I'll fix it. Waite Courtney stood over the desk. Between

his clenched fists the stock register lay open. He looked up as Sean

came in and closed the door. What's this? He prodded the page with a

huge squaretipped finger.

Sean opened his mouth and then closed it again. Come on. I'm

listening. Well, Pa, Well, Pa. , he buggered. just tell me how you've

managed to massacre half the cattle on this farm in a little over a

week? It's not half the cattle, it's only thirteen. Sean was stung by

the exaggeration. Only thirteen, bellowed Waite, only thirteen. God

Almighty, shall I tell you how much that is in cash? Shall I tell you

how much that is in hard work and time and worry? I know, Pa. You

know, Waite was panting. Yes, you know everything. There's nothing

anyone can tell you, is there? Not even how to kill thirteen ead o

prime oxen. Pa -'Don't Pa me, by Jesus. Waite slammed the heavy book

closed. Just explain to me how you managed it. What's

"dip poisoning"? What the bloody hell is "dip poisoning"?

Did you give it to them to drink? Did you stick it up their arses? The

dip was too strong, said Sean. And why was the dip too strong? How

much did you put in? Sean took a deep breath, I put in four drums.

There was silence and then Waite asked softly, How muchPFour drums. Are

you mad? Are you raving bloody madVI didn't think it would harm them.

His carefully rehearsed speech forgotten, Sean unconsciously repeated

the words he had heard from Garrick. It. was getting late and my leg

was -- Sean bit the sentence off and Waite stared at him, then the

confusion cleared from Ins face.

, Garry! he said. No, shouted Sean. It wasn't him, I did it You're

lying to me. Waite came round from behind the desk. There was a note

of disbelief in his voice. To his knowledge it was the first time it

had ever happened.

He stared at Sean and then his anger was back more violently than

before. He had forgotten the oxen, it was the lie that concerned him

now. By Christ, I'll teach you to tell the truth. He snatched up his

sjambok from the desk.

Don't hit me, Pa, Sean warned him, backing away.

Waite threw up the'sjambok and swung it down overarm.