ile tendencies have
opened stores. You shall see that things will shake into their proper
places, and right themselves in time, and this will become a flourishing
colony, for the most of us are young and full of British pluck, while
the climate, despite a few trifling disadvantages, is really splendid."

Edwin Brook spoke heartily, as he clapped his hat firmly on, preparatory
to going out to make things secure against the expected storm.

At the same moment the South African storm-fiend (an unusually large
though not frequently obtrusive one) laughed in a voice of thunder and
nearly dashed in the windows with a tempest of wind and rain! As if his
voice had called up spirits from the "vasty deep," two horsemen suddenly
appeared approaching at full speed. One of them was of unusual size.

"Here they come just in time!" exclaimed Gertie, clapping her hands in
excitement.

The _girl_ spoke and acted there. Then she blushed for the _woman_
interfered!

Hans Marais reached the quince hedge first and sprang off his steed.
Charlie Considine came second. With a wild whoop he caused his steed to
leap the garden gate and dismounted at the cottage door.

Then there was a hearty welcoming and inquiring, and shaking of bands,
while the travellers were congratulated on having just escaped the
storm.

While this was going on at Mount Hope, the Skyds were actively engaged
in gathering in their rattle and otherwise making their place secure.
They had more than once been warned that their position was one of
danger, but being young, athletic, and rollicking, they had not cared
hitherto to remove their humble dwelling. It was time enough to do
that, they said, when "lovely woman" should come on the scene and render
improvement in domicile necessary. Bob Skyd had more than once
attempted to induce a "lovely woman" to invade the land and enlighten
the cave, but somehow without success!

"We shall have it stiff," said John, as the three brothers approached
their burrow.

"And heavy," added Bob.

James made no remark, but opened the door. It was growing dark at the
time and inside their cavern only a dim light prevailed.

"Why--what's--hallo! I say--"

Jim leaped back with a look of alarm. The brothers gazed in and saw, in
the region of their bed (which held three easily), a pair of glaring
eyeballs.

The brothers, although not superstitious, were by no means free from
human weakness. At the same time they were gift