ice. Outside the other two were
talking and arguing at a great rate.

"Yes, I would not forego that for anything," she whispered. "But--leave
me now, or I shall break down. Quick! I wish it."

One glance, straight into her eyes, and he obeyed. But that glance had
said enough--had said more than many words could have done.

"By the way, Tom," said Eustace, joining the pair of wranglers outside.
"What about Nteya? You were going to have him run in, you know."

"So! Well, you see, it's this way: I got on that deal with Reid, first
thing, and that drove the other out of my head. I had a job to find
Reid, in the first place, but when you hear of a man willing to give a
lumping big price for what you want to sell, that man's worth some
hunting for, I can tell you. So I let Nteya slide--until we reach the
Gaika location. Then I'll take it out of him, and a good many more of
them too."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next morning, shortly after sunrise, the contractor arrived to take
delivery of the stock. So he and Carhayes were extremely busy, the
latter too much so to be able to afford more than an off-hand and
hurried farewell to his wife.

But the same held not good of his cousin and partner. Indeed one would
think that Eustace had no concern whatever in the sale for all the
interest he took in it. Far more concerned was he to ensure that
Eanswyth had every conceivable thing that might conduce to her comfort
and convenience during her journeying to and sojourn in the settlement,
than to satisfy himself that Contractor Reid, a canny Scot and a knowing
file at a deal, should be allowed no loop-hole for climbing down from or
getting behind his bargain.

"I say, Milne," cried Hoste, while the horses were being inspanned.
"It's rather slow work riding by one's self. Let's span in my horse as
a leader, and drive unicorn. There's room for my saddle if we tie it on
behind--and I can get in the cart with you. More sociable like. See?"

But Eustace didn't see, or rather didn't want to see. This was clearly
a case of "two's company, three's a crowd."

Equally clearly was it a case wherein the third might be excused for
omitting to apply the maxim.

"There's a goodish weight in the trap already," he replied dubiously.
But Eanswyth struck in:

"We can make room for you, Mr Hoste. Certainly. And if we have the
additional pull of your horse it will neutralise th