d, lo! a
miracle. The hawthorns shone white against the brilliant green of the
laurels; the horse-chestnuts had--to use a fanciful expression of
Caesar's--"lit their lamps." Out of the waving grass glimmered and
sparkled a thousand wild flowers. John heard the glad _Fruehlingslied_ of
bees and birds. Then, opening his lungs, he inhaled the life-renewing
odours of earth renascent; opening his heart he felt a spiritual essence
pervading every fibre of his being. Once more the chilled sap in his
veins flowed generously. It was well with him and well with his friend.
This conviction possessed him, remember, before he opened the letter.

He ascended the tower, and broke the seal.

* * * * *

"I have been meaning to write to you, dear old chap, ever since we
parted; but, somehow, I couldn't bring myself to tackle it in earnest
till to-night. To-morrow, we have a thundering big job ahead of us; the
last job, perhaps, for me. Old Jonathan, you have been the best friend a
man ever had, the only one I love as much as my own brothers--_and even
more_. It was from knowing you that I came to see what good-for-nothing
fools some fellows are. You were always so unselfish and _straight!_ and
you made me feel that I was the contrary, and that you knew it, and that
I should lose your friendship if I didn't improve a bit. So, if we don't
meet again in this jolly old world, it may be a little comfort to you to
remember that what you have done for a very worthless pal was not thrown
away.

"Good night, Jonathan. I'm going to turn in; we shall be astir before
daybreak. Over the veldt the stars are shining. It's so light, that I
can just make out the hill upon which, I hope, our flag will be waving
within a few hours. The sight of this hill brings back our Hill. If I
shut my eyes, I can see it plainly, as we used to see it from the
tower, with the Spire rising out of the heart of the old school. I have
the absurd conviction strong in me that, to-morrow, I shall get up the
hill here faster and easier than the other fellows because you and I
have so often run up our Hill together--God bless it--and you! Good
night."

FOOTNOTES:

[39] Brekker, _i.e._ breakfast.

PRINTED AND BOUND IN ENGLAND BY
WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS LIMITED, LONDON AND BECCLES

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