n and heathenish lands. Your stout arm and rifle will
be a pleasant addition, too, to our party; for they are rough fellows we
are travelling amongst, and I shouldn't be surprised if we had to fight
our way out from their midst."

"My father came from Scotland, and though I have never been in it, I
love the country for his sake," I answered. "Though I hope we shall
have no fighting, I am ready to take my part if we have to defend
ourselves."

"No doubt you would, Mr Crawford," he said. "We are men of peace, and
should never wish to fight, unless in cases of urgent necessity. I
hope, now you are come, we shall begin our journey southward forthwith."

"I am afraid not, Mr Fraser," said Stanley. "My brother, who has just
arrived, will scarcely yet be able to move, and we have a young friend,
I find, lying ill at a village some days' journey to the north of us;
and until we get him we cannot leave this spot."

This information did not seem very palatable to our friend Donald; but
after taking a glass of real Glenlivet, a flask of which stood in our
midst, his countenance relaxed.

"Ay, to be sure. I had once a young brother of my own, a delicate boy.
I had few else to love in the world. He is gone; but I know how you
feel about this little fellow; we must not risk his life. And the other
lad, the son of poor Captain Page--I knew him--made a voyage aboard his
ship--and should like to do the boy a good turn for his sake. I don't
greatly esteem the gratitude of this world, and yet it's pleasant to
have the opportunity of repaying a debt for kindness received."

I was glad to hear these remarks, and trusting that Natty would find a
friend in Mr Fraser, I lay down to enjoy a sounder rest than I had for
very long obtained.

Leo was much better in the morning, and David told me that though he was
seriously ill, yet he trusted that he would shortly regain sufficient
strength to travel. I begged of Stanley that he would allow me to
accompany him to convey Natty to the camp. To this he willingly agreed,
and it was arranged that Timbo was to take a third horse and act as
interpreter, and that we were to travel during the bright moonlight
hours of night.

I was anxious to set off immediately; but the horses were so tired with
their hunting expedition of the previous day, that Stanley considered it
was necessary to give them a couple of days' rest before they would be
fit to start.

"When did you ride last, Mr Craw