me, had I been
alone, in throwing my hat in the air and hooraying, or executing any
other frantic and maniacal manoeuvre indicative of delirious exaltation.

"Then it's a bargain," I said.

"Yes," smiled Beryl.

Now what had given rise to that dear child's original remark was a
certain conversation that had been held that morning over at the kraals
at counting-out time.

"Why don't you make up your mind to stop out here altogether, Holt?"
Brian had said, as, the job aforesaid over, we were leaning against a
gate watching the flocks streaming away to their respective pasture
grounds. "You seem to take to the life, too. Man, you'll never feel at
home in one of those beastly stuffy offices again after this, grinding
away at figures. Why don't you cut loose from it all, and fix up out
here? You can do it. Don't you think he ought, dad?"

"I think he might do worse," was the answer. "As you say, he seems to
take readily enough to it."

With the words an idea had flashed into my brain, an idea that was as a
veritable illumination.

"But before I could start on my own account I should want a precious
deal more experience than I've got at present," I said. "There are
heaps of things I should have to learn."

"Yes, you would have a good deal to learn," said Septimus Matterson,
shading a match with his hands as he lit his pipe.

"Look here, Mr Matterson," I said, coming straight to the point. "Will
you teach me--you and Brian? I am not a man of large means, but
anything in the way of a premium that you may think fair, I shall be
only too happy--er--er--that I am content to leave entirely to you," I
stuttered.

Septimus Matterson had lit his pipe now, and stood emitting puffs of
smoke slowly, while a queer smile deepened upon his strong handsome
face. Then he said--

"I don't often swear, Holt, as I believe you'll bear me out in saying.
But in this case I'm going to make an exception. Premium be damned!"

At this Brian threw back his head and roared, while I, puzzled, grinned
idiotically.

"What I mean is," he went on, "in the first place it's not likely I'd
take any remuneration from you for giving me a helping hand. Even if
you hadn't saved my darling little girl's life, as a friend of Brian's
you're heartily welcome to any assistance I could give you. Wait a
bit--" interrupting the protest I was trying to stammer forth. "In the
next place, we don't as a rule take premiums in this country for
tea