e capture of Te
Kooti's fortress had arrived, they had naturally been anxious about
Wilfrid's safety.

[Illustration: "I AM AFRAID I AM HEAVY ON A HORSE STILL, WILFRID"

_Page 325_]

"You are looking wonderfully well and sunburnt, father," the lad said as
they sat at dinner.

"Your father has been out from morning until night, Wilfrid, managing
the farm," Mrs. Renshaw said with a glad smile, "and I do think the
exercise has done him a great deal of good."

"I am sure it has, mother," Wilfrid agreed. "I am afraid the book has
not made much progress, father, since I have been away."

"It has made no progress at all, Wilfrid, and I do not suppose it ever
will. Science is all very well when a man can afford to make it his
hobby, but I have come to the conclusion that a man has no right to ride
a hobby while his family have to work to make a living."

"But we were all glad to work, father," Wilfrid said. "And now I am back
again there is no reason why you should not return to your work."

"No, Wilfrid. I have been selfish a great deal too long, and indeed, now
that I have broken myself into an active life out of doors, I have at
present, at anyrate, no inclination to take to the pen again. I feel
better than I have done for years, and am astonished myself at the work
I can get through. As to my appetite, I eat twice as much as I used to,
and really enjoy my food. Since the day we heard of the failure of the
bank the burden has all been on your shoulders, Wilfrid, and your
mother's. I am going to take my share of it in the future. As to the
book, someone else must write it. I do not suppose it would ever have
really paid. I almost wonder now how I could have thought that I out
here could have derived any satisfaction from knowing that my work was
praised by scientific men at home; besides, to do it properly a man must
live among the natives, must travel all over the island and gather the
traditions current in every tribe. That I could not do, and if I could
have no inclination for it. I have been thinking that I shall ask Mr.
Atherton to teach me a little botany, so that I can enjoy a little more
intelligently than I can now do the wonders of our forest."

"That I will gladly do, Mr. Renshaw. I am sure it would add greatly to
the enjoyment of your life here to become acquainted with the secrets of
the marvellous vegetation around. It is extraordinary to me that men
should be content to remain in ignorance of the nam