nswered Roden.

"Oh yes! I daresay. As if you couldn't have as many days as you chose
to ask for. But come in now. Breakfast is ready."

They entered, and were immediately beset by the glum face and wistful
entreaty of the eldest hopeful, begging to be allowed to come too.

"Not to-day, sonny; not to-day," answered his father decisively. "You
can go out any day; you're not a hard-worked Civil Servant. Besides, we
shall hardly get anything; we're only going just for the sake of the
ride. Where's Mona?" he added. "Late, as usual?"

"Oh yes. We needn't wait for her."

Well that they did not, for breakfast was nearly over when she sailed
in, bringing with her--surprise; for she was clad in a riding habit.

"Hallo, young woman! What's the meaning of this? Going to ride into
Doppersdorp to church?" sang out Suffield.

"Not to-day, Charlie. I'm going to see you and Mr Musgrave shoot a
buck."

"Eh!" said Suffield, with a blank stare at Roden.

"Oh, you needn't look so disappointed, or you might have the civility
not to show it. I'm going with you, and that's all about it," said
Mona, with nonchalant decision, beginning upon her tea.

"Well, upon my word! But we are going into the very dev--er--I mean,
all sorts of rough places, right up among the _krantzes_. Who on earth
is going to look after such a superfine young party as you?"

"Wait until somebody is asked to. Meanwhile, I flatter myself I'm old
enough and ugly enough to look after myself."

"Father, you said just now you were only going for the sake of the
ride," struck in the disappointed hopeful.

"Um--yes, did I though? So I did, Frank. I say, though. Did you ever
hear the saying, that small boys should be seen and not heard? If
you're ready, Musgrave, we'll go round and see about the horses." Under
which somewhat cowardly expedient Suffield rose to effect a timely
retreat. "By the way, what are you going to ride, Miss Independence?"
he added, turning on the threshold.

"Oh, I've arranged all that," replied Mona, indifferently.

And she had. When they reached the stable they found the ragged
Hottentot groom already placing a side-saddle upon one of the horses, a
steady-going sure-footed bay.

Now, Roden Musgrave was a real sportsman; which, for present purposes,
may be taken to mean that, whatever might be lovely woman's place, in
his opinion it was not out buck-shooting among more or less dangerous
slopes and crags. Neverthel