"Mail-boat's just in, sir," Bones went on with unusual fierceness. "You're in time to meet His Excellency. Stores all laid out, books in trim, parade ground and quarters whitewashed as per your jolly old orders, sir." He saluted again, his eyes bulging, his face a veritable mask of ferocity, and, turning on his heel, he led the way to the beach. "Here, hold hard!" said Hamilton; "what the dickens is the matter with you?" "Seen the error of my ways, sir," growled Bones, again saluting punctiliously. "I've been an ass, sir--too lenient--given you a lot of trouble--shan't occur again." There was not time to ask any further questions. The two men had to run to reach the landing place in time, for the surf boats were at that moment rolling to the yellow beach. Sir Robert Sanleigh, in spotless white, was carried ashore, and his staff followed. "Ah, Hamilton," said the great Bob, "everything all right?" "Yes, your Excellency," said Hamilton, "there have been one or two serious killing palavers on which I will report." Sir Robert nodded. "You were bound to have a little trouble as soon as Sanders went," he said. He was a methodical man and had little time for the work at hand, for the mail-boat was waiting to carry him to another station. Books, quarters, and stores were in apple-pie order, and inwardly Hamilton raised his voice in praise of the young man, who strode silently and fiercely by his side, his face still distorted with a new-found fierceness. "The Houssas are all right, I suppose?" asked Sir Robert. "Discipline good--no crime?" "The discipline is excellent, sir," replied Hamilton, heartily, "and we haven't had any serious crime for years." Sir Robert Sanleigh fixed his _pince-nez_ upon his nose and looked round the parade ground. A dozen Houssas in two ranks stood at attention in the centre. "Where are the rest of your men?" asked the Administrator. "In gaol, sir." It was Bones who answered the question. Hamilton gasped. "In gaol--I'm sorry--but I knew nothing for this. I've just arrived from the interior, your Excellency." They walked across to the little party. "Where is Sergeant Abiboo?" asked Hamilton suddenly. "In gaol, sir," said Bones, promptly, "sentenced to death--scratchin' his leg on parade after bein' warned repeatedly by me to give up the disgusting habit." "Where is Corporal Ahmet, Bones?" asked the frantic Hamilton. "In gaol, sir," said Bones. "I gave him twenty years for talkin' in the ranks an' cheekin' me when I told him to shut up. There's a whole lot of them, sir," he went on casually. "I sentenced two chaps to death for fightin' in the lines, an' gave another feller ten years for----" "I think that will do," said Sir Robert, tactfully. "A most excellent inspection, Captain Hamilton--now, I think, I'll get back to my ship." He took Hamilton aside on the beach. "What did you call that young man?" he asked. "Bones, your Excellency," said Hamilton miserably.