dwiney's. The
fact is, we have had a PERSONAL difficulty." He paused, glanced around
him, and continued in a low, agitated voice: "Yesterday I came upon him
as he was sitting leaning against the barrack wall. In a spirit of
playfulness--mere playfulness, I assure you, sir--I poked him lightly
in the shoulder with my stick, saying 'Boo!' He turned--and I shall
never forget the look he gave me."

"Good heavens!" I gasped, "you touched--absolutely
TOUCHED--Mulledwiney?"

"Yes," he said hurriedly, "I knew what you would say; it was against
the Queen's Regulations--and--there was his sensitive nature which
shrinks from even a harsh word; but I did it, and of course he has me
in his power."

"And you have touched him?" I repeated,--"touched his private honor!"

"Yes! But I shall atone for it! I have already arranged with him that
we shall have it out between ourselves alone, in the jungle, stripped
to the buff, with our fists--Queensberry rules! I haven't fought since
I stood up against Spinks Major--you remember old Spinks, now of the
Bombay Offensibles?--at Eton." And the old boy pluckily bared his
skinny arm.

"It may be serious," I said.

"I have thought of that. I have a wife, several children, and an aged
parent in England. If I fall, they must never know. You must invent a
story for them. I have thought of cholera, but that is played out; you
know we have already tried it on The Boy who was Thrown Away. Invent
something quiet, peaceable and respectable--as far removed from
fighting as possible. What do you say to measles?"

"Not half bad," I returned.

"Measles let it be, then! Say I caught it from Wee Willie Winkie. You
do not think it too incredible?" he added timidly.

"Not more than YOUR story," I said.

He grasped my hand, struggling violently with his emotion. Then he
struggled with me--and I left hurriedly. Poor old boy! The funeral
was well attended, however, and no one knew the truth, not even myself.

III

JUNGLE FOLK

It was high noon of a warm summer's day when Moo Kow came down to the
watering-place. Miaow, otherwise known as "Puskat"--the warmth-loving
one--was crouching on a limb that overhung the pool, sunning herself.
Brer Rabbit--but that is Another Story by Another Person.

Three or four Gee Gees, already at the pool, moved away on the approach
of Moo Kow.

"Why do ye stand aside?" said the Moo Kow.

"Why do you say 'ye'?" said the Gee Gees together.

"Beca