.

"By jove, Milne. You seem to have been in the wars," said the latter
looking from one to the other of the injured parties. "What's the row,
eh?"

"It speaks for itself. Nothing much, though. I've only been reminding
our valiant friends there that fair play is a jewel even when its only a
Kafir that's concerned."--"Which unsavoury Ethiop seems to have been
knocked about a bit, however," rejoined the other, sticking his glass
into his eye to examine the fallen native.

The Kafir, who had raised himself to a sitting posture, was now staring
stupidly about him as though half dazed. Blood was issuing from his
nose and mouth, and one of his eyes was completely closed up. His
assailants had all slunk away by now, the arrival upon the scene of this
unwelcome ally having turned the scale against any plan they might have
entertained of showing further unpleasantness toward the solitary
intervener.

Some three or four of the Gaika's countrymen, who had held aloof, now
came up to the assistance of their friend. These gave their version of
the story. Eustace listened attentively.

"It was a foolish thing to make any remark at such a time and in such a
place," he said. "It was sure to provoke strife. Go and get him a tot
of grog," throwing them a sixpence, "and then you'd better get away
home."

"I tell you what it is, Milne," said Errington in a low tone. "I know
that fellow you floored so neatly. He's one of the best bruisers in the
country, and I'm afraid you haven't seen the last of him. You'd better
keep a bright lookout as long as you're in this part. He's bound to
play you some dog's trick at the earliest opportunity."

"Is he? Well I must try and be ready for him. I suppose now we must
bring the poor devil round, eh? He seems about stunned."

Errington had a flask in his pocket. Dismounting he raised the fallen
man's head and poured some of the contents into his mouth.

The fellow revived--gradually, stupidly. He had received a bad blow,
which only a thick slouch hat and a thicker skull had saved from being a
worse one.

"Who the hell are you?" he growled surlily, as he sat up. "Oh, I know
you," he went on as his glance lit upon Eustace. "All right, my fine
feller, wait a bit, till I'm all right again. You'll be sorry yet for
that damned coward's whack you've given me. See if you're not."

"You brought it upon yourself. Why did you try and rush me?"

"I didn't rush you with a stirrup-