e must have been a really remarkable old scoundrel。 I am bound to add； however； that； as his subsequent history shows； he was in fact a quite unprincipled person whom no promises or considerations of honour could bind。 So it is very possible that he did know all about the plot。
At length we bade farewell to the chief； whom we left still chewing leaves like Nebuchadnezzar； and that was the last I ever saw of him。 On arriving at our hut we found that the mission had departed； leaving us without any guide。 We went back to Secocoeni asking for guides； and then began a series of mysterious delays。 We were told that all the men were out at work； although scores stood about us； that they did not know the road； and so forth。 At last Osborn addressed old Swasi and others in a way they could not misunderstand； with the result that two lads were produced。
These lads were named Sekouili and Nojoiani； or some such words； appellations which we corrupted into “Scowl” and “No…joke。” Under their guidance we started。 I may add here that when we had crossed the mountains； for some reason which we could not at the time understand； these Basuto boys expressed themselves as afraid to return to Secocoeni’s country； saying that if they did so they would be killed。 One or both of them remained in my service for a long time afterwards； as they implored to be taken on with us。
By the time we had reached the crest of the first range the sun had set and the moon was up。 Here the path forked； one division of it； that by which we had e； running on over the mountains； the other following the line of a deep valley at a lower level。 A discussion arose between us as to which we should take； my elders were in favour of the upper； preferring those ills we knew of； which the two boys； S