"A long draught, I am afraid," said Ernest. "I was not present, but he said so." "How long ago?" "I should think two hours." "There is no time to be lost, if his life is to be saved," observed the unknown. "Happily, the antidote is easily found in these parts. When, indeed, are God's mercies ever wanting in the hour of need!" He spoke the last sentence to himself, rather than to his companion. Drawing forth his flint and steel, he struck a light, by which he kindled a small lantern, which was one of the articles appended to his belt. By the help of these, he began searching among the herbage which grew thickly on either side of the path. Presently he lighted on the plant of which he was in quest. It was shaped something like an egg, which it also nearly resembled in size. He pulled up two or three specimens of this, and shook the dirt from the roots. Then he again addressed Warley. "Where is your friend?" he said. "At the kloof, where he drank the water, I suppose? You had better take me to him as quickly as possible." Warley complied in silence. Lost in wonder at the strangeness of the adventure, he led the way down the glen, up which he had mounted an hour or so before. The elder man seemed as little inclined for conversation as himself. They proceeded in almost unbroken silence until they had arrived within a quarter of a mile of their destination. Warley stepped on a little in advance as they approached the kloof, and Charles came out to meet him. "How is Frank?" asked Warley in a low tone. Lavie shook his head. "Nick has found water, but we cannot get any quantity down his throat I have tried everything I can think of, but in vain." "I have fallen in with a man who seems to understand the matter, and thinks he can save him." "A man--what, here in the Kalahari? What do you mean?" Warley hurriedly related what had occurred. "Of course, Charles," he said, "I can't answer for his knowledge and skill But hadn't we better let him try what he can do?" "Yes, I suppose we had," said Lavie, after a pause. "I can do nothing for him; and though it is true that the poison is slow in its action, yet it is fatal unless its effects are checked. I'll go and speak to the man." He stepped up to the stranger, and in a few hurried words described the condition of his patient. The newcomer nodded his head. "Euphorbia poison," he said; "but I trust we shall be in time. Have you any means of heating water?" "I have some water nearly boiling in the iron pot here." "That is well. Be so good as to put some into this cup; rather more than half full, if you please." He took one of the egg-shaped fruits, and pounded it in the hot water. When it had been reduced to a fluid state, he signed to Lavie to lift Frank's head, and then poured the mixture down the lad's throat. Then covering him up as warmly as he could, he sat down by his side, and took his hand.