ffir hut
till the answer comes."

"Don't let that trouble you, my dear fellow," said Wallace; "I can get
plenty of cash here, and it is very much at your service."

"I am ashamed to take further advantage of your kindness," answered
Leonard, flushing. "This advertisement may mean nothing, or perhaps a
legacy of fifty pounds, though I am sure I don't know who would leave me
even that sum. And then, how should I repay you?"

"Stuff!" said Wallace.

"Well," replied Leonard, "beggars must put their pride in their pockets.
If you will lend me a couple of hundred pounds and take the ruby in
pledge, I shall be even more grateful to you than I am at present, and
that is saying a good deal."

On this business basis the matter was ultimately arranged, though within
half an hour Wallace handed back the great stone into Juanna's keeping,
bidding her "keep it dark"; an injunction which she obeyed in every
sense of the word, for she hid the ruby where once the poison had
lain--in her hair.

Two busy days went by, and on the third morning a messenger came running
from the town to announce that the northward mail was in sight. Then it
was that Otter, who all this while had said nothing, advanced solemnly
towards Leonard and Juanna, holding his hand outstretched.

"What is the matter, Otter?" asked Leonard, who was engaged in helping
Wallace to pack his hunting trophies.

"Nothing, Baas; I have come to say good-bye to you and the Shepherdess,
that is all. I wish to go now before I see the Steam-fish carry you
away."

"Go!" said Leonard; "you wish to go?"

Somehow Otter had become so much a part of their lives, that, even
in their preparations to leave for England, neither of them had ever
thought of parting from him.

"Why do you wish to go?" he added.

"Because I am an ugly old black dog, Baas, and can be of no further use
to you out yonder," and he nodded towards the sea.

"I suppose you mean that you do not want to leave Africa, even for a
while," said Leonard, with ill-concealed grief and vexation. "Well, it
is hard to part with you like this. Also," he added with a little laugh,
"it is awkward, for I owe you more than a year's wages, and have not
the money to spare to pay you. Moreover, I had taken your passage on the
ship."

"What does the Baas say?" asked Otter slowly; "that he has bought me a
place in the Steam-fish?"

Leonard nodded.

"Then I beg your pardon, Baas. I thought that you had done with me and