defeated barbarian as he slunk out by the cattle kraal. "But couldn't
they render the position--well, rather impossible for you, here, for
instance, if they were to combine."

"That's just it--they can't combine. But if you know how to take them,
and not expect to find angels under a red blanket and a daub of _root
klip_, you can pull with them as well as with anybody else. Only you
must never for a moment let them imagine you're afraid of them."

I little thought then how near was the time when I should witness
Septimus Matterson's theory tested--and that severely. Yet that was to
come, and it was only the beginning of a series of stirring events
calling for readiness of resource and cool judgment and iron courage.
The sun was shining now, the sky unclouded. Yet was the storm behind,
gathering afar.

CHAPTER TEN.

TWO PACTS.

It will be remembered that my first impressions as regarded Beryl
Matterson savoured somewhat of disappointment. By the time I had dwelt
a week beneath the same roof I could only marvel how such could have
been the case. Now I had dwelt beneath it a month, and the prospect of
life apart from her presence seemed not worth contemplating. To such a
pass had things come.

What a time that had been--golden, idyllic! When I was not accompanying
Brian or his father upon their rides or walks, on stock supervision or
sport intent, I would inveigle Beryl forth on the plea of being put _au
courant_ with the flora and fauna of the country. Nor was the plea a
fictitious one, for I had always had a leaning towards natural history,
albeit precious little time or opportunity for indulging the same; but
now, with such a companion, and such a taste in common! Ah, those long
rides, the glorious sense of freedom and glowing enjoyment, the
exhilaration of the atmosphere, the deep unclouded blue of the heavens,
the rolling bush country--earth, air, foliage, all athrill with
pulsating life, animal or insect life, never silent, never for a moment
still--small wonder that those days should go by as in a very dream of
Paradise!

But real life is not idyllic, only its episodes, and they but rarely;
wherefore, fearing to outstay my welcome, I mooted the subject of moving
on. Brian's blank stare of amazement was something to behold.

"Why, Holt, you've only just begun to know us," he said, "and it would
be affectation to suppose you are not enjoying your stay, because any
one could see that you are,