ider him a most valuable
acquisition, and am delighted at the idea."

"Well, I am glad to hear you say so, for I agree with you. He is hunting
mad, that is certain, and I hear, a most remarkable shot. I think with
you he will be an acquisition. It appears that it was his intention to
have gone into the interior, even if he went by himself; and he has two
Arab horses which he brought with him from India with that view."

"If you see him before he comes, you may say that you have stated his
wishes to me, and that I am quite delighted at his joining our
party,--it being perfectly understood that he is at no expense for any
thing connected with the outfit."

"I will tell him so," replied Swinton; "and I think the sooner we begin
to collect what is necessary the better. We must have Major Henderson in
our councils. Depend upon it, he will be very useful and very active;
so, for the present, farewell."

Mr. Swinton and Major Henderson called together that afternoon, and the
latter, as soon as he was admitted into the party, began to talk over
the plans and preparations.

"My suite is not very large," said he; "I have two horses and two dogs,
a Parsee servant, and a Cape baboon. I should like to take the latter
with us as well as my servant. My servant, because he is a good cook;
and my monkey, because, if we are hard put to it, she will show us what
we may eat and what we may not; there is no taster like a monkey.
Besides, she is young and full of tricks, and I like something to amuse
me."

"The baboons have another good quality: they give notice of danger
sooner than a dog," observed Swinton. "I think, Wilmot, we must admit
the monkey into the party."

"I shall be most happy," replied Alexander, laughing; "pray give her my
compliments, Major Henderson, and say how happy I shall be."

"I call her Begum," said Major Henderson; "because she is so like the
old Begum princess whom I was once attending, when in India with my
troop, as guard of honor. You must look out for some good horses, Mr.
Wilmot; you will want a great many, and if you do not wish them to have
sore backs, don't let the Hottentots ride them."

"We have been discussing the point, Major Henderson, as to whether it
will not be better to go round in a vessel to Algoa Bay, complete our
equipment there, and make that our starting place."

"If you do, you will save a long journey by land, and find yourself not
very far from what I understand are the best o