these monotonous kopjes and being uncomfortable all alone. No one to
grumble to--ugh, how I should hate that!--no one to feel superior
with; no one to envy you, even if there were anything to envy. It's a
positive grave."

"You've left out one of the worst contingencies. No one to discuss
with; no friction of mind and opinions."

"That comes under the heading of grumbling. When I discuss I almost
always grumble about something. It is good for the progress of the
world." And she laughed whimsically. Then, with one of her sudden
changes, "How long do you expect to stay on trying to dig up a
fortune, and pretending it is worth while when you know you hate it
like Old Harry?"

"We shall probably try another mine soon. That is what we want to do;
but it cost so much to get our machinery down into this hollow we
don't quite know where to find the money to get it out again. So we
just go on hoping we shall strike a good reef soon."

She remained thoughtful and silent some moments, and then, as if to
change the subject, remarked, "Mr. Stanley seems happy enough in his
solitary place. He says he used to be in Salisbury, but very much
prefers Zimbabwe."

"Most of the police prefer a quiet place with good shooting; and now
that he has Major Carew there so much it must often be interesting."

"Do you know Major Carew well?" and her quick voice failed to entirely
hide her interest.

"As well as perhaps anyone does. He comes to see us fairly often on
Sundays."

"But he is so silent, he can't be very interesting."

"He is not always silent."

"No, sometimes he snarls," with a little laugh.

"Ah! you don't know him. Get him to talk to you about the natives;
about their habits and legends and customs. There isn't a man in
Rhodesia knows more, and there isn't one they trust more absolutely.
He is down in this district now on their behalf, and before he set
foot here they knew all about him. Natives a hundred miles apart
communicate that sort of thing to each other. Every kraal here knew
perfectly that he was stern and rigid, but absolutely just. If he once
says a thing he stands by it, even if he gets into trouble at
headquarters, which isn't so very unusual. Someone out of jealousy or
pique or utter inability to understand stern justice, will
misrepresent his actions and misreport him for doing his duty. It's a
heart-breaking business for him sometimes; but he never gives in when
it is keeping his word one way or the oth