ever met your friend the Zulu
again--you remember I predicted you would. But now the second gong is
about to strike, and I must run away and make myself presentable." And
with a bright little nod she left him.

"Hallo, John Dawes! You here, too?" sung out old Kingsland, as the
former strolled leisurely up. "Why, when did you fellows get back?"

"The other day. We looked in at your place on the way, but there was
nobody there. It was all shut up."

"Ah yes, of course. My boy Tom is going to leave me, going to get
married, and is looking out for a farm of his own. Dare say Arthur was
away helping him. May and I have been down at Durban the last three
weeks. Ah, thanks--but have we got time?" taking the tobacco-pouch
which Dawes tendered, and hurriedly cramming his pipe for a brief
before-dinner smoke.

We may be sure that a very cheery, happy group were those four persons,
as they sat out beneath the verandah that evening after dinner, and the
events of the trip were narrated and discussed. And one of them, at any
rate, was silently, radiantly, thankfully happy. One, did we say? Two,
perhaps--But there, softly! for are we not on the verge of betraying a
secret--or anyhow what is likely to be a secret of the future.

We may be sure, further, that as far as our young friend was concerned,
that blissful frame of mind extended over the next two days, for during
that period he contrived to be very much in May Kingsland's society,
whether walking about the town or seated under the cool shady verandah
of the hotel. To him, further, it was surprising how the time had
slipped away, and how much of her company he had had all to himself
during the process. Time, however, as we know, has a knack of taking to
itself wings under the circumstances, and so as this period drew to a
close Gerard's spirits began to sink with a rapid motion towards zero.
But there was a further surprise awaiting him. The evening before their
departure Mr Kingsland said--

"By the way, Ridgeley, you haven't asked after our former shipmate,
Maitland."

Gerard started guiltily. During those past two days it was little
enough he had given a thought to, outside one all-engrossing subject
which held possession of his mind.

"I'm afraid I did forget," he said. "But what has become of him, Mr
Kingsland? Have you seen anything of him lately?"

The old settler looked grave as he filled his pipe in silence.

"I'm sorry to say he came to n