ntain near here, which we have since
discovered to be poisoned; and none of us--"

"What the spring in the kloof, about two miles back, I suppose,"
interrupted the stranger. "I passed it two or three hours ago. I
noticed that it had been poisoned--poisoned by euphorbia juice. Your
friend cannot have had much experience of the Kalahari, or he would have
detected it at once. You may always know water poisoned in that manner
by its clay-like appearance. How much did he drink?"

"A long draught, I am afraid," said Ernest. "I was not present, but he
said so."

"How long ago?"

"I should think two hours."

"There is no time to be lost, if his life is to be saved," observed the
unknown. "Happily, the antidote is easily found in these parts. When,
indeed, are God's mercies ever wanting in the hour of need!"

He spoke the last sentence to himself, rather than to his companion.
Drawing forth his flint and steel, he struck a light, by which he
kindled a small lantern, which was one of the articles appended to his
belt. By the help of these, he began searching among the herbage which
grew thickly on either side of the path. Presently he lighted on the
plant of which he was in quest. It was shaped something like an egg,
which it also nearly resembled in size. He pulled up two or three
specimens of this, and shook the dirt from the roots. Then he again
addressed Warley.

"Where is your friend?" he said. "At the kloof, where he drank the
water, I suppose? You had better take me to him as quickly as
possible."

Warley complied in silence. Lost in wonder at the strangeness of the
adventure, he led the way down the glen, up which he had mounted an hour
or so before.

The elder man seemed as little inclined for conversation as himself.
They proceeded in almost unbroken silence until they had arrived within
a quarter of a mile of their destination. Warley stepped on a little in
advance as they approached the kloof, and Charles came out to meet him.

"How is Frank?" asked Warley in a low tone.

Lavie shook his head. "Nick has found water, but we cannot get any
quantity down his throat I have tried everything I can think of, but in
vain."

"I have fallen in with a man who seems to understand the matter, and
thinks he can save him."

"A man--what, here in the Kalahari? What do you mean?"

Warley hurriedly related what had occurred. "Of course, Charles," he
said, "I can't answer for his knowledge and skil