t his work. For
living purposes, he inhabited a couple of native huts, but messed with
his official chief: which in many cases was a bore, as the latter
subsequently explained to Thornhill; but Prior had had the same
arrangement with the former man, and he couldn't turn the poor devil out
to feed by himself, which in that eventuality he would have had to do.
Besides, he was a very decent fellow even if a bit heavy on hand.

During lunch they talked about sport, and the state of the country, and
ordinary things. Immediately afterwards the clerk went out.

"Well, I'm getting firm into the saddle here, you see," said Elvesdon,
as they lit their pipes. "And I'm not sure that the situation isn't
going to turn out interesting."

"Think so? Look here, I haven't exactly come to look you up officially,
still as my round took me rather near Kwabulazi, I thought I'd give you
a look in and mention a little matter."

"Well whatever the `little matter' may be, I'm glad it had that effect.
And now what is it?"

Thornhill told him about the meeting with Tongwana and his people, and
the mysterious stranger who was in their company. Told him too of the
outrageous impudence of the man in refusing to get out of the way for
him.

"It was all I could do to keep my hands off him," he said. "Nothing but
the thought that he'd certainly use his assegais and I should have to
shoot him dead in self defence kept me from pounding him between the
shoulders with the butt of the gun as he swaggered along."

"And this was quite near your house, you say?"

"Yes. Right bang on the spot where you so pluckily saved my girl's
life, Elvesdon. I've heard all full details now."

Elvesdon reddened slightly, but he was secretly pleased.

"Oh, come now," he protested. "I don't know that it requires much pluck
to crack a whip at a snake. And if it comes to that, I think it was
your daughter who showed the pluck. I told her to cut and run while I
drew the brute off. D'you think she would? Not a bit of it. She had
picked up a whacking big stone and was standing there ready to heave it.
I tell you it was a magnificent sight. Suggested a sort of classical
heroine up-to-date. But--I say. Do you think it's altogether safe for
a girl to go about so much alone round here?"

"Round here I do. The people have known her since she was a little
thing and take a sort of proprietary interest in her. For the rest, she
can use a six shooter--and that