ards from the horse and deliberately seated himself in
the shade, thus completely placing himself in the power of the savages.
He was joined by Ncanduku and two or three more. The other Kafirs sank
down into a squatting posture where they were.

"First we will smoke," he said, handing his pouch to the Gaika chief.
"Though I fear the contents won't go very far among all our friends
here."

CHAPTER TEN.

A MUTUAL WARNING.

It may not here be out of place to offer a word of explanation as to the
extraordinarily cordial relations existing between Eustace Milne and his
barbarian neighbours. A student of nature all the world over, he had
rejoiced in finding ready to his hand so promising a subject as this
fine race of savages, dwelling in close proximity to, and indeed in and
among, the abodes of the white colonists, and instead of learning to
look upon the Kafirs as so many more or less troublesome and indifferent
farm servants, actual stock-lifters and potential foemen, he had started
by recognising their many good qualities and resolving to make a
complete study of the race and its characteristics. And this he had
effected, with the thoroughness which marked everything he undertook. A
quick linguist, he soon mastered the rather difficult, but melodious and
expressive Xosa tongue, in which long and frequent conversations with
its speakers had by this time rendered him nearly perfect; a man of keen
intellect, he could hold his own in argument with any of these people,
who, on subjects within the scope of their acquaintance, are about the
shrewdest debaters in the world. His cool deliberation of speech and
soundness of judgment commanded their abundant respect, and the friendly
and disinterested feeling which he invariably evinced towards them being
once understood and appreciated, a very genuine liking sprang up on both
sides.

Of course all this did not pass unnoticed by his white acquaintances and
neighbours--who were wont to look upon him as an eccentricity in
consequence, and to chaff him a good deal about his "blanket friends,"
or ask him when he expected to be in the Cabinet as Secretary for Native
Affairs. A few of the more ill-natured would sneer occasionally, his
cousin among the latter. But Eustace Milne could take chaff with
perfect equanimity, and as for the approval or disapproval of anybody he
regarded it not one whit.

Stay--of anybody? Yes--of one.

And that approval he had gained to the