noring the
fact that the war was not over, or indeed that there was any war at all,
and that they could not do better than guide him thither. He gave
Ngeleza to understand that he would pay well for such a service, and not
only that, but that all who had the smallest share in its rendering,
should receive a good reward--this for the enlightenment of the rest of
the band, which numbered a round dozen men. It was well, too, that
Ngeleza knew him--knew him for a man of substance, and a man of his
word.

CHAPTER NINE.

CONCLUSION.

The New Year is very young now, and Lannercost is well-nigh hidden in
its wealth of leafiness, and very different is the rich languorous
midsummer air to the bracing crispness under which we last saw it.
Other things are different too, as we, perchance, shall see, but what is
not different is the warmth of welcome accorded to Hilary Blachland to
that which he expected it to be--for the war in far-away Matabeleland is
practically over, and this man who has borne so full a part in it, is
enjoying a much-needed and well-earned rest.

The news of his first deed of self-sacrificing daring had hardly had
time to cool before it was followed by that of the second, more heroic
because more hopeless still, but the fact of him being given up for dead
by those who witnessed it, did not transpire until after his return to
safety, for, as it happened, he reached Bulawayo at about the same time
as the returning patrol.

Of the bare mention of these two deeds, however, he most concerned in
them is heartily sick and tired. Skelsey and Spence between them had
started the ball and kept it rolling, being enthusiastically aided and
abetted therein by Percival West. Here at Lannercost he had stipulated
that the subject be absolutely taboo, an understanding however, not
always strictly carried out, the greatest offender being small Fred.

"Quite sure you're not making a mistake in putting off going to England,
Blachland?" Bayfield was saying, as the two men, seated together under
a tree in front of the stoep, were talking over a transaction just
effected.

"Dead cert. I've earned a rest, and bucketing off on an infernal sea
voyage is anything but that. I'll go later. Percy can make my peace
for me so long, and he'll do it too, for he's about as effective a
trumpeter as--well, all the rest of you, Bayfield. No. Now I've taken
on that farm, I'm going to try my hobby, and see how many kinds of
up-c