ich were seated
wives and daughters watching the property, and children looking round
with astonishment, or playing or crying.

Further out of the town were to be seen tents pitched by the emigrants,
who had provided themselves with such necessaries before they had
quitted England, and who were bivouacking like so many gipsies,
independent of lodgings and their attendant expenses, and cooking their
own provisions in kettles or frying-pans. As Alexander perceived the
latter, he said, "At all events, we have found lodgings now; I never
thought of that."

"How do you mean?"

"I have two tents in the luggage I brought from Cape Town; we must get
them on shore, and do as these people have done."

"Bravo! I am glad to hear that," replied Major Henderson; "any thing
better than remaining on board to be nibbled by the cockroaches. Shall
we return at once?"

"By all means," said Mr. Swinton; "we have but to get our mattresses and
a few other articles."

"Leave my man to do all that," said the Major; "he is used to it. In
India we almost live in tents when up the country. But here comes one
that I should know;--Maxwell, I believe?"

"Even so, my dear Henderson," replied the military officer who had been
thus addressed; "why, what brought you here?--surely you are not a
settler?"

"No; I am here because I am not a settler," replied Henderson, laughing;
"I am always on the move; I am merely on my own way with my two friends
here to shoot a hippopotamus. Allow me to introduce Mr. Wilmot and Mr.
Swinton. But I see you are on duty; are you in the fort?"

"Yes; I came from Somerset about a month back. Can I be of any use to
you?"

"That depends upon circumstances; we are now going on board for our
tents, to pitch them on the hill there, as we can get no lodgings."

"Well, I can not offer you beds in the fort, but I think if you were to
pitch your tents outside the fort, on the glacis, you would be better
than on the hill; your baggage would be safer, and I should be more able
to render you any attention or assistance you may require."

"An excellent idea; if it were only on account of the baggage," replied
Henderson; "we accept your offer with pleasure."

"Well then, get them on shore as quick as you can; my men will soon have
them out for you and assist in transporting your luggage; and don't
distress yourself about your dinner, I will contrive to have something
cooked for you."

"A friend in need is a friend indeed