more or less is of no consequence?" said Gunson, laughing.
"Well, I am not going to repeat all I have said before as to being
grateful."

"I beg you will not," said Mr Raydon. "We had our duty to do to a sick
man, and we have done it."

"Nobly," said Gunson, warmly.

"And you intend to start?"

"To-morrow morning, eagerly but unwillingly, for I am loth to leave the
society of the tender friends who have nursed me back to life."

He looked at Mrs John and then at Mr John, ending by beckoning to me
to come out with him into the enclosure, where Mr Raydon joined us, to
begin talking about the stores he meant Gunson to have.

"But really, I cannot be putting myself under fresh obligations," said
Gunson.

"Very well then," said Mr Raydon, rather bitterly; "pay me, and be
independent." Then facing round and looking at me, and at Esau, who was
some little distance away, he said sharply--

"You will take these two lads to help you, of course?"

"Yes," said Gunson, as the blood flushed to my temples, "of course. I
could not do without them." I saw Mr Raydon frown, but no more was
said, and we spent the rest of the day making preparations for our
start, Mrs Dean helping, with the tears trickling down her cheeks as
she worked, and bringing forth appeal after appeal from Esau not "to do
that." Those few hours seemed to run away, so that it was night long
before I expected it, and at last I went to Mr Raydon's quarters to say
good-bye.

"There is no need," said Mr John, sadly. "The morning will do."

"But we start directly after daylight," I said. "Yes, I know; but we
shall be up to see you off." I went away to my own quarters sadly
dispirited; and my feelings were not brightened by the scene going on
between Esau and his mother; and I gladly went out into the cool dark
night to try and grow composed, when a high-pitched voice saluted me.

"Allee leady," it said. "Plenty tea, plenty flou, plenty bacon. Quong
velly glad to go."

I could not say the same, and I passed a very poor night, gladly rising
at Gunson's call, and dressing in the half-darkness, so eager was I to
get the painful farewells over and make a start.

Mr and Mrs John had kept their words, and Mrs Dean was waiting to
kiss me and say good-bye, and beg me to take care of Esau.

"For he is so rash," she whimpered. "Do keep him out of danger, my
dear."

I promised, and it was understood that we all parted the best of
friends, Mr Raydon invi