to be put by a
man who had been publicly accused of cowardice. Its propounder was
enjoying the other's confusion.

"Fighting?" echoed Ancram.

"Yes. Because if you are you've come to the right shop for it. You'll
get plenty if you remain in the country, and that before very long too."

"Why? Who is there to fight?"

"The Matabele."

"But I thought they were all conquered--licked into a cocked hat."

"So did, so do, a lot of other people who ought to know better. But
they're not. Let this rinderpest go a little further, and when the
Government has shot a few more of their cattle--then we shall see."

"By Jove! I had no idea of that."

"Or you wouldn't have come," Lamont could not help appending. He had
detected a note of consternation in Ancram's tone. And Ancram was one
of those who had stood by and endorsed the accusation of cowardice
hurled against himself.

"Oh yes, I would," answered the other, with rather a forced laugh. "But
I say, Lamont, what about you two fellows--and others in a lonely place
like this? Where would you come in?"

"Nowhere, unless we got wind and scooted in time. But that's just the
difficulty."

"Phew! But don't you take any precaution?"

"Not any. We take our chance instead. Chance is the name of a very
great god up-country, as you'll find out if you stop out here long."

"Well, it would be a jolly good job if we did have a war," rejoined
Ancram airily. "Give us lots of fun. I should enjoy it."

Peters looked quickly up.

"Fun! Enjoy it!" he repeated. "D'you hear that, Lamont? Wonder how
much _fun_ he'd have voted it--how much he'd have _enjoyed_ it--if he'd
been along with us on the retreat from the Shangani."

"Oh, damn the retreat from the Shangani!" burst forth Lamont. "Ain't
you sick of that sick old yarn yet, Peters? Because I am."

Ancram stared. There seemed nothing to warrant the ill-tempered
outburst--unless--Ah, that was it. Lamont had hoisted the white feather
in some way while on the expedition referred to, and of course was shy
of hearing it mentioned. But, strangely enough, Peters didn't seem to
resent the tone or the brusque interruption. On the contrary he
inclined to the apologetic.

"Oh, keep your hair on, Lamont," he answered deprecatingly. "You know,
Ancram, I shouldn't be here now if it hadn't been for--"

"Will you have another whisky-and-selz, Ancram, or will you try some
black tea?" interrupted Lamont, speaking quickl