's eyes, grey as steel in his
sun-tanned face, were upon her. He looked amused at her vehemence.

"Well?" he said encouragingly. "Finish!"

She laughed in spite of herself. "No, I shan't say any more. I
never argue with the superior male. I just--go my own way, that's
all."

"From which I gather that you are not particularly partial to the
superior male," said Burke.

"I hate the species," said Sylvia with simplicity.

"Except when it kneels at your feet," he suggested, looking
ironical.

"No, I want to kick it then," she said.

"You seem difficult to please," he observed.

Sylvia looked out across the _veldt_. "I like a man to be just a
jolly comrade," she said. "If he can't be that, I've no use for
him."

"I see," said Burke slowly. "That's to be my _role_, is it?"

She turned to him impulsively with extended hand. "I think you can
fill it if you try."

He took the hand, grasping it strongly. "All right. I'll try," he
said.

"You don't mind?" she said half-wistfully. "You see, it makes such
a difference to feel there's someone like that to turn to in
trouble--someone who won't let you down."

"I shan't let you down," said Burke.

Her fingers closed hard on his. "You're a brick," she said. "Now
let's have some lunch, and then, if you don't mind, I'm going to
sleep!"

"Best thing you can do," said Burke.

They rested for the greater part of the afternoon in the shadow of
their boulder. Sylvia lay with her head on a light rug that he
spread for her, and he sat with his back to the rock and smoked
with eyes fixed straight before him.

Sleep came to the girl very quickly for she was tired, and her
healthy young body was swift to find repose. But the man, watching
beside her, did not even doze. He scarcely varied his position
throughout his vigil, scarcely glanced at the figure nestled in the
long grass so close to him. But his attitude had the alertness of
the man on guard, and his brown face was set in grimly resolute
lines. It gave no indication whatever of that which was passing in
his mind.

CHAPTER IX

THE ARRIVAL

It was drawing towards evening when Sylvia at length stirred,
stretched, and opened her eyes. A momentary bewilderment showed in
them, then with a smile she saw and recognized her companion.

She sat up quickly. "I must have been asleep for ages. Why didn't
you wake me?"

"I didn't want to," he said.

She looked at him. "What have you been doin