dshot eyes at the man
who was surveying him so calmly. Then he gave a little gurgling cry and
turned away. Captain Francis started and moved a step towards him. There
was a puzzled look in his face--as though he were making an effort to
recall something familiar.

"What is the matter with him?" he asked Trent.

"Drink!"

"Then why the devil don't you see that he doesn't get too much?" the
newcomer said sharply. "Don't you know what it means in this climate?
Why, he's on the high-road to a fever now. Who on this earth is it he
reminds me of?"

Trent laughed shortly.

"There's never a man in Buckomari--no, nor in all Africa--could keep
Monty from the drink," he said. "Live with him for a month and try it.
It wouldn't suit you--I don't think."

He glanced disdainfully at the smooth face and careful dress of their
visitor, who bore the inspection with a kindly return of contempt.

"I've no desire to try," he said; "but he reminds me very strongly of
some one I knew in England. What do you call him--Monty?"

Trent nodded.

"Never heard any other name," he said.

"Have you ever heard him speak of England?" Francis asked.

Trent hesitated. What was this newcomer to him that he should give away
his pal? Less than nothing! He hated the fellow already, with a rough,
sensitive man's contempt of a bearing and manners far above his own.

"Never. He don't talk."

Captain Francis moved a step towards the huddled-up figure breathing
heavily upon the floor, but Trent, leaning over, stopped him.

"Let him be," he said gruffly. "I know enough of him to be sure that he
needs no one prying and ferreting into his affairs. Besides, it isn't
safe for us to be dawdling about here. How many soldiers have you
brought with you?"

"Two hundred," Captain Francis answered shortly.

Trent whistled.

"We're all right for a bit, then," he said; "but it's a pretty sort of a
picnic you're on, eh?"

"Never mind my business," Captain Francis answered curtly; "what about
yours? Why have you been hanging about here for me?"

"I'll show you," Trent answered, taking a paper from his knapsack. "You
see, it's like this. There are two places near this show where I've
found gold. No use blowing about it down at Buckomari--the fellows there
haven't the nerve of a kitten. This cursed climate has sapped it all out
of them, I reckon. Monty and I clubbed together and bought presents
for his Majesty, the boss here, and Monty wrote out this little