verse with a Zulu, not one of the three
men who had met him on his arrival.

"Good-morning. I wonder how my horse is to-day," he said.

"He's about all right. I've had him led up and down, and he doesn't
seem to show any limp. I'll send a man to guide you over the most
difficult part of the way after breakfast. You needn't mistrust him,
it's sufficient that you have been my guest."

It was all that the wayfarer could do to refrain from asking for his
host's identity, but something kept him from doing so; possibly he bore
in mind that his said host had refrained from questioning him as to his.
They talked on commonplaces. But after breakfast, when his horse was
saddled up and the guide stood waiting, his entertainer said--

"You didn't lose this yesterday, did you?" exhibiting a double-barrelled
shotgun.

He was conscious of a slight paling, but hoped it had not been observed.
Yet at the same time he was perfectly certain it had.

"No," he answered.

"Ah, well. Then I'd better take charge of it until the owner turns up.
And, remember, you have given me your word." And the straight,
piercing, compelling glance seemed to scorch.

"Why, of course I have, and you may rely upon my keeping it. Many
thanks for your opportune hospitality. Good-bye."

The hand which he had put forth was taken coldly, almost limply.

"Good-bye," was the listless answer; the speaker turning away
immediately, almost abruptly.

CHAPTER THREE.

THE GIRL.

The girl sang softly to herself as she worked. The said work was of the
homeliest nature, being, in fact, the making of bread.

She looked up suddenly. A ray of the sun, coming round the angle of the
house, had struck warm warning upon her uncovered head. Picking up the
table on which were the implements of her occupation, she shifted it
well into the shade. This involved no sort of an effort. Then,
standing erect, she gazed forth upon the rolling waves of veldt which
fell away in front.

She was a splendid specimen of womanhood: tall and square-shouldered,
and built on generous lines, and if she had just missed being beautiful
she was endowed with what was better--a rare power of attractiveness.
She had clear hazel eyes, heavily lashed, and when these spoke, together
with the smile which displayed the strong white teeth, the face would
light up in a way that was dangerously irresistible.

Out on the sunlit expanse in front nothing moved, unless an odd thread
of