ly known him in Park Crescent would have been much surprised to
watch him and listen to the things he said. Mrs. Browne seemed a
bit puzzled, I thought, at last. Then we came to the kopjes where
there was a consummate view. You could see a long way to the
north across a hugely wide plain. Browne climbed up on the
highest rock with me a sort of flat slab, whereon you might
immolate a hecatomb. He seemed more exhilarated than ever just
then. Soon he slipped away down the rocks and left me smoking my
pipe on high. About five minutes after I observed him making
tracks across the northern plain. He was cantering his dappled
mule for all it was worth; he was carrying nothing so far as I
could see.

'I made haste down. I found that boy you said we could trust. I
gave him two or three picnic rugs and what was left of our food
to carry. I asked him to follow the rideaway, to stick to him,
and to bring him back as soon as ever he could. Then I went to
Mrs. Browne. She was sitting behind some bushes crying. She said
Browne had said such a curious good-bye to her. He had spoken of
riding on to see more of the country he had said he would be back
in the morning. She had tried to dissuade him, but he seemed
hardly to listen. She could scarcely believe that he had really
gone without blankets or food. I reassured her, telling her that
I had sent the boy and that you had said the boy was a good
'un. But if she thinks, or you think, that the old man will come
back tomorrow, I don't.'

Tuesday passed anxiously both for Mrs. Browne and for me. Drayton
was anxious in the wrong way, unless I misjudged him. I seemed to
read triumph in his face as the hours went by and brought no
Browne.

I grew haggard when evening drew on. What was I to do? But about
sunset tidings came. A native, who had traveled into town from
the north, brought me a penciled note from Johannes: 'My father,
I ask you to come to us. Let your horse make haste. The white man
will not turn. He has finished his food. He goes to the hills, he
says. I think that he is mad. Pray for us! Johannes.'

I went to Mrs. Browne at once. I remember I found her sitting
under a flaming hibiscus bush. She looked very pale and washed-out
against it. I told her that her husband wanted to extend his
tour. She burst into tears, and said she could not understand it.
Then I told her that I meant going after him in the morning to
try to hasten his return. She brightened up at that, and fell