s
as straight as once, heigho! we ruled our account-books, things don't
and won't improve."

"If you had not interrupted me, Jack, you might have spared much breath
and feeling. I was about to say, Is it not a fact that many of the
other settlers are beginning to overcome their difficulties though you
are not? True, it has now been found that the wheat crops, on which we
at first expected almost entirely to depend, have for three seasons
proved an entire failure, and sheep do not thrive on our sour grass
pasturage, though they seem to have done admirably with the Scotch at
Baviaans River; but have not many of those around us been successful in
raising rye, barley, oats, and Indian corn? have they not many herds of
healthy cattle? are not pumpkins and potatoes thriving pretty well, and
gardens beginning to flourish? Our roasted barley makes very fair
coffee, and honey is not a bad substitute for sugar."

"You have made a successful bag this trip, I see, by your taking such a
healthy view of our circumstances," said Bob.

"Yes, I've done very well," returned Dobson; "and I find the hunter's
life so congenial, and withal so profitable, that I'm really thinking of
adopting it as a profession. And that brings me to the object of my
visit here to-night. The fact is, my dear fellows, that men of your
genius are not fit for farmers. It takes quiet-going men of sense to
cultivate the soil. If you three were to live and dig to the age of
Methuselah you'd never make a living out of it."

"That's plain speaking," said John, with a nod, "and I agree with you
entirely."

"I mean to speak plainly," rejoined Dobson, "and now what I propose is,
that you should give it up and join me in the ivory business. It will
pay, I assure you."

Here their friend entered into a minute and elaborate account of his
recent hunting expedition, and imparted to John Skyd some of his own
enthusiasm, but James and Robert shook their heads. Leaving them to
think over his proposal, their friend went to make a call on the Brooks
of Mount Hope.

"Drat that boy! he's escaped again, and after mischief I'll be bound!"
was the first sound that saluted him as he walked towards the house. It
was Mrs Scholtz's voice, on the other side of the hedge with which the
garden was surrounded. The remark was immediately followed by a
piercing shriek from the nurse, who repeated it again and again. Dobson
could see her through an opening in the branches, s