friend increased tenfold. For the other two--well, there was less
chance than ever of Hilary Blachland's name and memory being allowed to
grow dim in that household.

"Why, he'll soon be back now," said Lyn. "The war must be nearly over
now they've got to Bulawayo."

"Perhaps. But--they haven't got Lo Ben yet," replied her father,
unconsciously repeating Blachland's own words. "They'll have to get
him. Fancy him blowing up his own place and clearing!"

"_Ja_. I knew he'd make old Lo Ben scoot," reiterated Fred.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

There was another household something over six thousand miles distant
from Bayfield's in which the name of Hilary Blachland was held in
honour, which is strange, because the last time we glanced within the
walls of this establishment, the reverse was the case. "That out and
out irreclaimable scamp!" was the definition of the absent one then. It
was hard winter around Jerningham Lodge when the news of Spence's rescue
arrived there, and it was sprung upon Sir Luke Canterby in precisely the
same manner as he had learned the whereabouts of his erring nephew on
that occasion--through the daily papers to wit. He had congratulated
himself mightily on the success of Percival's mission. The latter's
correspondence was full of Hilary, and what great times they were having
together up-country. Then the war broke out and the tidings which
reached Sir Luke of his absent nephews were few and far between.
Thereupon he waxed testy, and mightily expatiated to his old friend
Canon Lenthall.

"They're ungrateful dogs the pair of them. Yes, sir--Ungrateful dogs I
said, and I'll say it again. What business had they to go running their
necks into this noose?"

The Canon suggested that in all probability they couldn't help
themselves, that they couldn't exactly turn tail and run away. Sir Luke
refused to be mollified.

"It was their duty to. Hang it, Canon. What did I send Percy out there
for? To bring the other rascal home, didn't I? And now--and now he
stays away himself too. It's outrageous."

Then had come the news of the capture and occupation of Bulawayo, and
the events incidental to the progress of the column thither, and Sir
Luke's enthusiasm over his favourite nephew's deed knew no bounds. He
became something like a bore on the subject whenever he could buttonhole
a listener, indeed to hear him would lead the said listene