one of which is supported by its fellow. Is that not the
description, Meinheer?"

"Good. Id is zad. I have never seen him, bud I know. Meinheer Dick
shall hear how I come do find zis place. A native run away to Elmina
and draw a map in ze sand wiz his doe. He said, `over zere, plendy of
gold, and mines close do ze riber.'"

"And you brought the tale to me," interrupted Mr Pepson, "with the
result that we sent an agent, and after getting his report we obtained a
concession, and set native gold-diggers to work. That's the secret of
this mine, Dick. It's so close to the river that one can take machinery
there, and the winding gear we have brought, though small, will be
sufficient to tell us whether it is worth our while to bring more.
Transport is the main difficulty in this country, and if we have a
river, why--"

"Zere is moch gold for all," burst in Meinheer. "Wid a riber we can
reach ze mine and can dake our goods. Zen ze ground is clear. Id is
rocky soil, and ze fever is nod gread."

"Which reminds me. We must take precautions," said Mr Pepson. "I have
brought ample supplies of quinine, and we must take a few grains every
day. It is the only thing for an Englishman, or for any white man. But
that is not the only precaution we must take against malaria. I have
not lived in Sierra Leone all these years, nor travelled in many another
fever-haunted country, without learning what to avoid. The cause of the
fever is too doubtful for me to attempt to make a statement, but
supposing it is the water, as the doctors say, then we must avoid
unboiled or unfiltered water; and boiled water is certainly the safest.
We must sleep off the ground, clear of the mists, and must choose the
highest spot. If the stockade is well posted, all will be right. If
not, we will rebuild it. Then there are the mosquitoes. Some, a few
only, whose numbers are steadily growing, say that these insects convey
the germ of malaria. [This is now an accepted fact.] Very good. We
will keep them away as far as possible by the use of curtains at night.
Last of all, the man who exercises in the cool of the morning and
evening, who avoids the direct rays of the sun at midday, and who eats
and drinks lightly, stands a far better chance than does the one who is
lazy, and who is apt to indulge too much. Pass the biscuit, Dick, and
light up if you care to do so, Meinheer."

According to their usual custom, a custom suggested by Dick, th