over himself, but it was a hundred to one against him being marksman
enough to inflict any damage upon the Colonial ranks. Indeed, were it
otherwise, what was it to him, Roden? No unit of the extremely limited
number in whose well-being he had the faintest interest was at that
moment at the front, or was in the least likely to go. "Why should he
refuse a good offer, a very good offer?"

He looked at the fifteen sovereigns lying there in a row, and he looked
at the Kaffir who was eagerly watching him. The boy had an open, honest
face, and might safely be trusted to hold his tongue. Besides, Kaffirs
usually keep faith in a fair and straightforward transaction between man
and man. A moment more, and he would have concluded the deal, when his
instincts of prudence and caution put before him one consideration. He
dared not.

Looked at from the lowest grounds, he dared not. Were the transaction
brought home to him, it would mean his ruin. He would be ignominiously
dismissed his post, and probably proceeded against criminally, into the
bargain: result, a ruinous fine, the possibility even of imprisonment
without that doleful option. Even the suspicion of such a thing would
mean a bar to all his official prospects. Fifteen golden sovereigns
were good, but not good enough as a set-off against so tremendous a
risk, and the same would apply to six times the sum were it offered.

"I can't do it, Tom," he said, his mind now as thoroughly made up as
ever it had been in his life. "The fact is, I dare not."

The other was woefully disappointed. He could not offer more for he had
not another farthing in the world. As for any risk he said, he would
rather die than break faith by letting out one word on the subject of
the transaction to any living soul--white, black, or yellow. Let the
_Baas_ cast his eyes backward. Who was there who could say anything
against his character, or adduce one single instance of him ever having
broken his word? He had been long in Doppersdorp, and had served more
than one master; yet no one had anything but good to say about him,
except, perhaps, the one he was then serving.

"I tell you, Tom, I can't do it," repeated Roden. "Do you know you are
asking me to break the law, which I am here to help administer? Look,
now! If you can get the magistrate to give a permit, it's another
thing, though even then I should bring a pretty hornet's nest about my
ears were the matter known. But you