he
natives, and saw something of their strange, twisted reasoning. Before
we had got Laputa's army back to their kraals, with food enough to tide
them over the spring sowing, Aitken and I had got sounder policy in our
heads than you will find in the towns, where men sit in offices and see
the world through a mist of papers.

By this time peace was at hand, and I went back to Inanda's Kraal to
look for Colin's grave. It was not a difficult quest, for on the sward
in front of the merula tree they had buried him. I found a mason in the
Iron Kranz village, and from the excellent red stone of the
neighbourhood was hewn a square slab with an inscription. It ran thus:
'Here lies buried the dog Colin, who was killed in defending D.
Crawfurd, his master. To him it was mainly due that the Kaffir Rising
failed.' I leave those who have read my tale to see the justice of the
words.

CHAPTER XXIII

MY UNCLE'S GIFT IS MANY TIMES MULTIPLIED

We got at the treasure by blowing open the turnstile. It was easy
enough to trace the spot in the rock where it stood, but the most
patient search did not reveal its secret. Accordingly we had recourse
to dynamite, and soon laid bare the stone steps, and ascended to the
gallery. The chasm was bridged with planks, and Arcoll and I crossed
alone. The cave was as I had left it. The bloodstains on the floor
had grown dark with time, but the ashes of the sacramental fire were
still there to remind me of the drama I had borne a part in. When I
looked at the way I had escaped my brain grew dizzy at the thought of
it. I do not think that all the gold on earth would have driven me a
second time to that awful escalade. As for Arcoll, he could not see
its possibility at all.

'Only a madman could have done it,' he said, blinking his eyes at the
green linn. 'Indeed, Davie, I think for about four days you were as
mad as they make. It was a fortunate thing, for your madness saved the
country.'

With some labour we got the treasure down to the path, and took it
under a strong guard to Pietersdorp. The Government were busy with the
settling up after the war, and it took many weeks to have our business
disposed of. At first things looked badly for me. The
Attorney-General set up a claim to the whole as spoils of war, since,
he argued, it was the war-chest of the enemy we had conquered. I do
not know how the matter would have gone on legal grounds, though I was
advised by my lawyers th