ring into the fire.

All men made money when they came to South Africa,--Barney Barnato,
Rhodes--they all made money out of the country, eight millions, twelve
millions, twenty-six millions, forty millions; why should not he!

Peter Halket started suddenly and listened. But it was only the wind
coming up the kopje like a great wheezy beast creeping upwards; and he
looked back into the fire.

He considered his business prospects. When he had served his time
as volunteer he would have a large piece of land given him, and the
Mashonas and Matabeles would have all their land taken away from them in
time, and the Chartered Company would pass a law that they had to work
for the white men; and he, Peter Halket, would make them work for him.
He would make money.

Then he reflected on what he should do with the land if it were no good
and he could not make anything out of it. Then, he should have to
start a syndicate; called the Peter Halket Gold, or the Peter Halket
Iron-mining, or some such name, Syndicate. Peter Halket was not very
clear as to how it ought to be started; but he felt certain that he and
some other men would have to take shares. They would not have to pay for
them. And then they would get some big man in London to take shares. He
need not pay for them; they would give them to him; and then the company
would be floated. No one would have to pay anything; it was just the
name--"The Peter Halket Gold Mining Company, Limited." It would float
in London; and people there who didn't know the country would buy the
shares; THEY would have to give ready money for them, of course; perhaps
fifteen pounds a share when they were up!--Peter Halket's eyes blinked
as he looked into the fire.--And then, when the market was up, he,
Peter Halket, would sell out all his shares. If he gave himself only six
thousand and sold them each for ten pounds, then he, Peter Halket, would
have sixty thousand pounds! And then he would start another company, and
another.

Peter Halket struck his knee softly with his hand.

That was the great thing--"Always sell out at the right time."
That point Peter Halket was very clear on. He had heard it so often
discussed. Give some shares to men with big names, and sell out: they
can sell out too at the right time.

Peter Halket stroked his knee thoughtfully.

And then the other people, that bought the shares for cash! Well, they
could sell out too; they could all sell out!

Then Peter Halket's