hs' leave when this
came."

"Good Lord!" said Hamilton, for somehow he never associated Sanders with
holidays.

What Hamilton did was very simple, because Hamilton always did things in
the manner which gave him the least trouble. A word to his orderly
conveyed across the parade ground, roused the sleepy bugler of the
guard, and the air was filled with the "Assembly." Sixty men of the
Houssas paraded in anticipation of a sudden call northwards.

"My children," said Hamilton, whiffling his pliant cane, "soon there
will come here a member of government who knows nothing. Also he may
stray into the forest and lose himself as the bride-groom's cow strays
from the field of his father-in-law, not knowing his new surroundings.
Now it is to you we look for his safety--I and the government. Also
Sandi, our lord. You shall not let this stranger out of your sight, nor
shall you allow approach him any such evil men as the N'gombi iron
sellers or the fishing men of N'gar or makers of wooden charms, for the
government has said this man must not be robbed, but must be treated
well, and you of the guard shall all salute him, also, when the time
arrives."

Hamilton meant no disrespect in his graphic illustration. He was dealing
with a simple people who required vivid word-pictures to convince them.
And certainly they found nothing undignified in the right honourable
gentleman when he arrived next morning.

He was above the medium height, somewhat stout, very neat and orderly,
and he twirled a waxed moustache, turning grey. He had heavy and bilious
eyes, and a certain pompousness of manner distinguished him. Also an
effervescent geniality which found expression in shaking hands with
anybody who happened to be handy, in mechanically agreeing with all
views that were put before him and immediately afterwards contradicting
them; in a painful desire to be regarded as popular. In fact, in all the
things which got immediately upon Sanders' nerves, this man was a sealed
pattern of a bore.

He wanted to know things, but the things he wanted to know were of no
importance, and the information he extracted could not be of any
assistance to him. His mind was largely occupied in such vital problems
as what happened to the brooms which the Houssas used to keep their
quarters clean when they were worn out, and what would be the effect of
an increased ration of lime juice upon the morals and discipline of the
troops under Hamilton's command. Had