directly you start, so you'd better give him another day
to make sure."

But this I resisted, having my own reasons for making a start Falkner
apparently had his too, for he was proof against the other's pressing
invitation to remain and make a day of it.

"Well after all, you might get to punching each other's heads again, and
I not there to prevent it," I said, jocularly. "Good-bye, Kendrew."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Not half a bad chap that, after all," said Falkner, as we rode along
together.

"No. And if you'd wait to find that out before going for people you'd
get along much better in these parts," I answered. And then I improved
upon the occasion to read him a considerable lecture. To do him justice
he took it very well.

"Look," he broke in. "It must have been just the other side of this
that I got stuck last night."

I had not needed my attention to be drawn to the spot, for already, as
we were approaching it I had been noting the behaviour of my horse. It
was normal. Beyond a slight cocking of the ears we might as well have
been traversing any other section of our path; indeed it was as though
the strange interruption of last night had been a matter of sheer
imagination, but for one consideration. Of the extraordinary and
overwhelming effluvium which had poisoned the air then, there was now no
longer a trace, and this disposed of the theory that anything dead had
been lying thereabouts. Had such a cause been responsible for it, the
air would not have cleared so quickly. No--Ukozi had played some trick
upon me for some reason of his own, but--what was that reason? Even a
witch doctor does not play the fool without some motive.

"I believe your theory is the correct one, after all, Glanton,"
interrupted my companion. "Depend upon it some big black beast of a
mamba was stopping the way. Look. Here's where I gave up."

"So I see," I answered, for we had now got through to the other side of
the ridge of rocks.

"See? How?"

"Spoor. Look. The dust is all disturbed and kicked about. Here's
where your gee refused."

"So it is. I see it now myself. What a cute chap you are, Glanton.
Oh, and I say, Glanton--" after a momentary hesitation, "don't let on to
them at home about that little breeze I had with Kendrew down there,
that's a good chap."

I promised. This was his motive, then, in resolving to return with me?
But it was not.