“I mean,” I whispered back, “that we might both be tried and, if Footsack should chance to appear and give evidence, find ourselves in an awkward position.  Also there is another witness—­Kaatje, and for the matter of that, Heda herself.  Of course her evidence would be in our favour, but to make it understood by a jury she would have to explain a great deal of which she might prefer not to speak.  Further, at the best, the whole business would get into the English papers, which you and your relatives might think disagreeable, especially in view of the fact that, as I understand, you and Heda intend to marry.”

“Still I think that I would rather face it out,” he said in his outspoken way, “even if it should mean that I could never return to England.  After all, of what have I to be afraid?  I shot this scoundrel because I was obliged to do so.”

“Yes, but it is of this that you may have to convince a jury who might possibly find a motive in Rodd’s past, and your present, relationship to the same lady.  But what has she to say?”

“I have to say,” whispered Heda, “that for myself I care nothing, but that I could never bear to see all these stories about my poor father raked up.  Also there is Maurice to be considered.  It would be terrible if they put him in prison—­or worse.  Let us go to Zululand, Mr. Quatermain, and afterwards get out of Africa.  Don’t you agree, Maurice?”

“What does Mr. Quatermain think himself?” he answered.  “He is the oldest and by far the wisest of us and I will be guided by him.”

Now I considered and said—­

“There is such a thing as flying from present troubles to others that may be worse, the ‘ills we know not of.’  Zululand is disturbed.  If war broke out there we might all be killed.  On the other hand we might not, and it ought to be possible for you to work up to Delagoa Bay and there get some ship home, that is if you wish to keep clear of British law.  I cannot do so, as I must stay in Africa.  Nor can I take the responsibility of settling what you are to do, since if things went wrong, it would be on my head.  However, if you decide for the Transvaal or Natal and we escape, I must tell you that I shall go to the first magistrate we find and make a full deposition of all that has happened.  It is not possible for me to live with the charge of having been concerned in the shooting of a white man hanging over me that might be brought up at any time, perhaps when no one was left in the country to give evidence on my behalf, for then, even if I were acquitted my name would always be tarnished.  In Zululand, on the other hand, there are no magistrates before whom I could depose, and if this business should come out, I can always say that we went there to escape from the Basutos.  Now I am going to get down to see if the horses are all right.  Do you two talk the thing over and make up your minds.  Whatever you agree on, I shall accept and do my best to carry through.”  Then, without waiting for an answer, I slipped from the cart.