standing in the wastes. The sound of the empty winds across the land
was the wailing of orphans, and the protest of a lost people.
'General Acheson, ' he began, but Acheson was reading the dispatch.
'Damn!' he snapped. 'Damn and blast! Leroux again. He doubled back
and caught the transport column of those same lancers who cut him up.
Wiped it out and disappeared into the mountains.' Acheson laid the
message on the table in front of him and stared at it.
'Courtney,' he said, 'go back and, this time, catch him!'
'Breakfast is ready, Nkosi. Michael Courtney looked up from his book
at the servant. 'Thank you, Joseph, I'm coming now. ' These two hours
of study each morning passed so quickly. He checked the clock on the
shelf above his bed, half, past six already, closed the book and stood
up.
While he brushed his hair he watched his reflection in the mirror
without attention. His mind was fully occupied with events that would
fill this new day. There was work to do.
His reflection looked back at him with serious grey eyes from a face
whose lean contours were marred by the big Courtney nose. His hair was
black and springy beneath the brush.
He dropped the brush and while he shrugged into his leather jacket he
flipped open the book to check a passage. He read it through
carefully, then turned and went out into the corridor.
Anna and Garrick Courtney were seated at opposite ends of the long
dining, table of Theuniskraal and they both looked up expectantly as he
entered.
Good morning, Mother. ' She held up her face for his kiss' Good
morning, Pa.'
'Hello, my boy.' Garry was wearing full dress, complete with crowns
and decorations, and Michael felt a flare of irritation. It was so
damned ostentatious. Also it reminded him that he was nineteen years
old and there was a war going on while he sat at home on the farm.
'Are you going into town today, Pa?'
'No, I'm going to do some work on my memoirs.'
'Oh,' Michael glanced pointedly at the uniform and his father flushed
slightly and applied himself to his meal.
'How are your studies, darling?' Anna broke the silence.
'Well enough, thank you, Mother.'
'I'm certain you'll have as little trouble with the final examinations
as you had with the others.' Anna smiled at him possessively and
stretched out to touch his hand. Michael withdrew it quickly and laid
down his fork.
'Mother, I want to talk to you about enlisting. ' Anna's smile froze.
At the end of the table Garry straightened in his chair.
'No,' he snapped with unusual violence. 'We've been over this before.
You're still a minor and you do as you're told. ' 'The war is almost
over, darling. Please think of your father and me. ' It began then.
Another of those long wheedling, pleading arguments that sickened and
frustrated Michael until he stood up abruptly and left the room. His
horse was waiting saddled for him in the yard. He threw himself on to
