n his past experiences and adventures, yet he was not entirely sorry
that the trip was over. For he had not ceased to think of May
Kingsland's blue eyes and bright winsome face--had not ceased to wonder
how the latter would look when he should see it again. And that would
be very soon now.

"My word, Ridgeley, but you'll have some yarns to spin to old Kingsland
when we look in upon him on our way," went on Dawes. "Why, he'll hardly
believe you're the raw Britisher he was with on board ship! I never saw
a fellow take so kindly to roughing it, and things. And you've filled
out too, and become twice the chap you were all round."

"I feel that I have," answered Gerard, with something of a guilty start
at the queer coincidence that Dawes's thoughts should have been located
on the same spot as his own. "And whatever this trip has done for me
it's thanks to you. Well, Dawes, I don't mind telling you that I'm your
debtor for life."

"Tut, tut, man! Why you've been worth it all to me. We've had a rough
time mind--a rougher time by far than I expected, or than a trip of this
kind's got any business to be--and I never want a better mate than
yourself, and I've known a good few fellows in that line, too. I say
though, I wonder how your friend Maitland would have got on in your
place. Not over well, I fancy. Too much of a masher--collars and cuffs
kind of a bandbox chap, you know--not even good enough for a store
clerk."

"He thinks himself many removes too good for me, I can tell you,"
laughed Gerard, remembering the lofty contempt with which Harry had
reproached him for "turning counter-jumper," as he was pleased to put
it.

"He's a chap who won't come to over much good, I'm afraid," said Dawes.
"I wonder what has become of him."

"So do I," said Gerard.

We don't see why the reader should share the enforced, ignorance of the
two; wherefore we may as well state that Harry Maitland was at that
moment seated on the counter of one of the most fifth-rate bars in
Maritzburg, swinging his legs and bawling out a not over-refined song
for the benefit and amusement of an audience of loafers a trifle less
drunk than himself; for, without wishing inordinately to moralise, the
incident throws a suggestive side-light on the contrast of the
divergence of the ways of these two English lads, each stranded on his
own hook in a far-away colony.

"Let's saddle up and ride on ahead, and find a good place to outspan,"
suggested