ot a drop of rain.

"It's grand; but I've a notion it's beastly dangerous," said Lamont.
"We'd better get inside. There's more electricity in us than in a roof.
They say," he went on, as they gained their shelter, "that dry storms
are more dangerous than when it rains, but that may be a popular
superstition. Anyway everyone doesn't share it, for here's somebody
coming."

Even as he spoke, there crept through the low doorway, which had been
left open, a young man followed by two girls, one bearing a basket of
green mealies roasted on the ashes, the other a large bowl of _tywala_.
The youth explained that they were sent by Gudhlusa, who was sorry he
could not send meat, but the people were poor, since Government and the
pestilence had killed all their cattle, and they had no meat.

"We shall do famously," said Lamont. Then to the young man: "We thank
Gudhlusa. And thou, _umfane_, make ready and broil these birds for us.
Here is of the white man's money; for thyself."

"_Nkose_!" cried the youth delightedly, taking up the two francolins.
"It shall be done. My father, Gudhlusa, also said that the chief,
Zwabeka, is not able to see and talk with the _Amakosi_ this night. He
is sick."

Lamont expressed his concern for the chief's health, not believing a
word of the above statement, and the messenger withdrew.

Half an hour or so later they were reclining snugly in their blankets,
beginning on the broiled birds and roast mealies by the light of an old
waggon lantern the boy had rummaged out. "The only thing wanting is
salt," pronounced Lamont. "However, just a grain of this makes a sort
of substitute. Try it."

He cut open one of his cartridges, which were made with black powder,
and poured some of the latter out on to a piece of paper.

"But it does. Why, what a perfect travelling companion you are, Mr
Lamont. You provide us with the salt--with the poultry--with
everything."

Lamont laughed.

"Oh, as to the last," aiming a whack at a native dog, which was skulking
in at the open door with an eye to plunder, "I always carry a shot-gun
when travelling across country. It is an easily portable larder. The
whole land swarms with birds, and you need only get off and shoot if you
want skoff. Once, when I first came up here, I was travelling, and my
horse went lame when I was about three hours from anywhere. I was in a
great state of starve. Then it suddenly occurred to me that the bush
was full of clucki