, my good fellow. We will accept
your offers as freely as they are made: so farewell for an hour or so."

As they parted with Captain Maxwell, Henderson observed, "That was a
lucky meeting, for we shall now get on well. Maxwell is an excellent
fellow, and he will be very useful to us in making our purchases, as he
knows the people and the country: and our luggage will be safe from all
pilferers."

"It is indeed very fortunate," replied Mr. Swinton. "Where did you know
Captain Maxwell?"

"In India. We have often been out hunting tigers together. How he would
like to be of our party; but that is of course impossible."

"But how shall we manage about our living, Major Henderson?" observed
Wilmot; "it will never do to quarter ourselves on your friend."

"Of course not; we should soon eat up his pay and allowance. No, no; we
will find dinners, and he will help us to cook them first and eat them
afterward."

"Upon such terms, I shall gladly take up my quarters in the fort,"
replied Alexander. "But which is our boat out of all these?"

"Here, sir," cried out one of the sailors; "come along, my lads,"
continued he to the other men, who were lounging about, and who all
jumped into the boat, which pushed off, and they were soon on board of
the ship.

As the master of the vessel was equally glad to get rid of his
passengers and their luggage as they were to leave, the utmost
expedition was used by all parties, and in a few hours everything was
landed, Begum, the baboon, being perched upon the stores conveyed in the
last boat. A party of soldiers sent down by Captain Maxwell assisted the
seamen to carry the various packages up to the fort, and before the
evening closed in, the tents were pitched, their beds made up, and their
baggage safely housed, while they were amusing themselves after dining
with Captain Maxwell, leaning on the parapet and watching the passing
and repassing of the boats which were unlading the vessels.

As there was little chance of rain in the present season, they lay down
on their mattresses in perfect security and comfort, and did not wake up
the next morning until breakfast was ready. After breakfast they sallied
out with Captain Maxwell to look after wagons and oxen, and as, on the
arrival of the emigrants, a number of wagons had been sent down to take
them to their destinations, Captain Maxwell soon fell in with some of
the Dutch boors of the interior with whom he had been acquainted, and
who h