any hardening experiences, so I turned from
the looking-glass imprecating one Godfrey Glanton as a silly ass, who
had much better trek away right up-country and stay there altogether.
And this idea was the first intimation that I had returned to sanity
again.

My guests arrived earlier than I had expected, somewhere in the middle
of the afternoon to wit, and the first thing they did was to reproach me
for having put myself out for them so as they called it.

"I warned you there was nothing particular to see, didn't I?" I said,
as I showed them the inside of the store.

"But I think there is," declared Miss Sewin, gazing around at the
various "notions" disposed along the shelves or hanging about from the
beams. "And how tidy you keep it all. Ah--" as an idea struck her, "I
believe you have had it all put ship-shape for the occasion. Confess
now, Mr Glanton, haven't you?"

"Well, you know, it's a sort of general holiday, so of course things are
a little more ship-shape than usual," I answered.

"Ah, but the fun would have been to have taken you by surprise, when you
were in the thick of it. How is it there are no natives here to-day?"

"They'll roll up directly for the fun this evening. I expect quite a
lot of them."

"Are they hard at a deal?" she went on, still gazing with interest at
the trade goods. "Do they haggle much?"

"Haggle? Rather! Haggle like any Italian. Only they're much more
difficult to bring down. But, won't you come round now and have tea?
I've had a waggon sail rigged up for shade because I thought you'd
prefer it outside."

The ladies were delighted, and I will own in candour that there didn't
seem to be anything wanting, if about four kinds of biscuits; and rolls,
white and fresh, done on a gridiron; some very excellent tinned jam;
butter and potted meats; tea and coffee, and for us men a decanter of
first-rate Boer brandy--contributed a sufficient afternoon tea.

"So this is the `roughing it' you warned us against, Mr Glanton?"
laughed Mrs Sewin, who was pouring out. "Why, it is luxury, positive
luxury."

"But it's a great occasion," I answered. "Major, have a glass of grog
after your ride."

"Well, that's no bad idea. Capital stuff this," holding up his glass.

"So it is," pronounced Falkner, tossing off his. "Here's luck, Glanton.
By Jove, you've got an uncommonly snug crib up here. Hanged if it
don't feel like turning Zulu trader myself."

"And if Tyingoza came h