one? He almost made up his mind to abandon it, and on his
return to ascertain once and for all how matters stood. As against
that, what if he were mistaken, or partially so? There was such a thing
as being too precipitate. Would it not be better to wait until he had
brought Nidia safely and triumphantly through the multifold perils which
still overhung their way?

How casual had been their meeting in the first instance, how marvellous
and providential in the second. If anything seemed to point a
significant augury, this did. But what of the more practical side?
What would Nidia's own people have to say in the matter? From things
let drop he had gleaned incidentally that they were people of very
considerable wealth, whereas he himself had little beyond the by no
means princely salary wherewith the Chartered Company saw fit to
remunerate his valuable services. Well, he would not think of that just
then. Time enough to do so when they were safely back in prosaic
civilisation once more. Let him revel in his happiness while it was
his.

And it was happiness. Here he was--enjoying advantages such as rarely
fall to the lot of the ardent lover. The daily intercourse, for all
present purposes, each representing all the world to the other, beyond
the reach of officious or intrusive outsider; she dependent upon him for
everything--protection, companionship, even the very means of
subsistence--what a labour of love was all this.

A slight rattle, as of stones, above his head, brought his mind back to
the object of his quest; and lo! there stood the aforesaid means of
subsistence personified, in the shape of a klip-springer, which from its
boulder pedestal was regarding him with round-eyed amazement and
distrust. Dare he use his rifle? There was no other way of securing
the little buck. It was out of throwing-range, and in any case would be
nimble enough to dodge a kerrie. He thought he would risk it. Game was
alarmingly scarce.

But the question was decided for him. The animal suddenly sprang from
the boulder, and in a couple of bounds had disappeared among the rocks.
What--who--had scared it? The answer came--and a startling one it was.
A score of Matabele warriors rose from among the long grass, and,
uttering their fierce vibrating war-shout, flung themselves upon him.
So intent had he been upon his thoughts, and on watching the
klip-springer, that, crawling like snakes in the grass, they had been
able to