"It's all right," he said to himself. "We know now why the ostriches didn't get on. Nice sort of disease that. Oh! I do wish I had caught the nigger at it. But never mind, Joe's getting on; and as soon as I can leave him, I'll hunt out some more nests, and we'll begin all over again, and--" The boy stopped just inside the door, trembling, for as he appeared, the very ghost of a voice whispered feebly: "That you, little un? How long you have been." The next moment Dyke was on his knees by the rough couch, holding one of the thin hands in his and trying to speak; but it was as if something had seized him by the throat, for not a word would come. CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. BLACK SHADOWS. "What has been the matter, young un?" piped Emson feebly. "I say, don't look like that. Have I had a fall from my horse? I can't lift my hand." Dyke told him at last as he clung to that hand, and Emson's face grew more and more troubled. "Don't," he whispered excitedly--"don't stop. You--you may catch--the fever--too." "What!" cried Dyke, with a forced laugh, "me catch the fever! Well, who cares? I don't. Bother! Who's going to catch it, old chap? Why, I should have caught it a hundred times before now." "You--you've been--nursing me?" "I've been here, but it hasn't been much of nursing," cried Dyke, laughing in a half-choking way, as his breast swelled with joy. "I've fed you with a spoon and washed your face. Oh Joe, old man, you've been just like a big, stupid old baby." "And have I been ill long?" "Yes, ever so long. I was a terrible while before I got back, because the little river out yonder was flooded, and when I did come, I--I--I-- oh Joe, old chap, I do feel so happy once more." It was a wise addition to his speech, for Dyke never looked much more miserable in his life; but there was enough in his aspect to make Emson smile faintly, and then close his eyes. That brought back Dyke to the responsibilities of his position, and he sprang up. "Here! I've been letting you talk too much while you're so weak," he cried excitedly. Emson's lips parted to speak, but his brother laid a hand upon them. "No," he said, "you mustn't: you'll have to get stronger first; and I've got to feed you up, old chap." Just at that moment a dark shadow crossed the doorway, and Tanta Sal's black face appeared looking in. "Baas no go die," she said. "Jack tief. Baas Joe go get well. Look!" She held out a rough basket, in which were half-a-dozen new-laid eggs. "Jack find eggs," said Tanta. "Do so." She took one egg, gave it a tap, deftly broke the shell in two halves, let the white run out, and swallowed the yolk like an oyster. "Here, hold hard!" cried Dyke angrily. "You mustn't do that." "No. Tant mussen. Jack find eggs, do so. Jack tief." "Well, I'm glad I know where the eggs went," said Dyke, taking the remainder. "I thought our hens ought to lay some. But why didn't you tell us before?"