o
those swine, and it'll be all over while I'm lying here."

"Well, better be lying here than lying _there_," said Denham,

"Right-oh! And that's where I should be lying if it hadn't been for
you," answered the other earnestly.

"Oh, that's all in the tug-of-war," rejoined Denham. "We don't count
that at all. You'd have done the same for me--we'd all have done the
same for each other, of course. But I couldn't clear out without saying
good-bye, and seeing how you were getting on."

"You're awfully good, Denham; but I don't believe I should have done the
same if the positions were reversed."

"Yes, you would. And look here, Stride, you needn't think that I
haven't sympathised with you all through. How could I have helped doing
so from the very circumstances themselves?"

Stride was silent for a few moments. Then he said--

"I believe I've behaved like a cur, Denham. If you really did what we--
what I suspected, I'm certain that you were justified. Since I've been
lying here I've been thinking things over."

"Well, in that case you may take it from me that it was justified,"
answered Denham gravely.

"I'll swear it was. Well, it's awfully good of you to find time to look
in upon me this morning of all days, and I appreciate it."

Denham was moved.

"Look here," he said, dropping his hand upon that of the other, "I must
go now, time presses. But, Stride, old chap, I want you to promise me
something, and that is that if ever you are in want of a friend you will
remember you have the best of that article here. For instance,
prospecting is precarious work, and, I'm told, often very hand-to-mouth.
Now, I happen to be one of those fortunate people who is frequently in
a position to be of use to his fellow-creatures, and if ever you find
yourself in any strait you must apply to me. There are often fairly
comfortable bunks I can slide people into. Now, will you?"

"Yes, I will. You are awfully good, Denham."

"That's settled. So now good-bye, and don't get well until it's too
late to go and get yourself half killed over again."

A hearty handshake, a pleasant nod and a smile, and Denham was gone.
But Stride called him back.

"You'll give--her--my every good wish?"

"Certainly, old chap, certainly."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The arrival of the missing man had been a source of boundless surprise.
How on earth had he, a stranger, been able to make