"Up at his camp. He never comes down till evening. Er--Ancram. This is Driffield, our Native Commissioner. What he don't know about the guileless savage isn't worth knowing." "Glad to meet you," said that official as they shook hands. "You needn't take in everything Lamont says, all the same," he laughed. "I say, Lamont, it's a pity Peters isn't here. I'm always missing the old chap." "I'll send up for him, and he'll be here in half an hour or so. I'll see to your horse and start Zingela off at once. But--first of all have a drink. We won't get dinner for half an hour yet." "Thanks, I will," laughed the new arrival. "Thirsty country this, eh, Mr --?" "Ancram," supplied that worthy. "Thirsty? I believe you. We were talking of that very thing just before you came." Two things had struck Ancram--the frank cordiality that seemed to be the predominant note among these dwellers in the wilderness, and that his own opinion of Peters was by no means shared by others. There he had made a _faux pas_. But he did not intend to take Lamont at his word, all the same; wherefore it was just as well that this new arrival had appeared on the scene when he had. "What'll you have, Driffield?" said Lamont, as the four sat down to table a little later--Peters having arrived. "'Tisn't Hobson's choice this time--it's guinea-fowl or goat ribs." "The last. They look young. I'll get enough game on patrol." "Going to look in at Zwabeka's kraal, Driffield?" said Peters presently. "If I do it'll be on the way back. I've got to meet Ames to-morrow evening at the Umgwane Drift, and settle which the devil of us Tolozi is under. Half his people are in Sikumbutana. Ames is quite welcome to him for me." "Nice fellow, Ames," said Peters. "Rather. One of the best we've got, and one of the smartest. He's got a ticklish district, too, with the whole of Madula's and half Zazwe's people in it. Hard luck to saddle him with Tolozi into the bargain. Yes, Ames is a ripping good chap. Been long in this country, Mr Ancram?" "Er--no. I've only just come." "Peters picked him up in the mopani veldt, down Pagadi way, and brought him on," said Lamont. "He was nearly dead of thirst." "And something else" is how the whimsical look which puckered the quaint countenance of Peters might have been interpreted. Driffield whistled. "You were in luck's way, Mr Ancram," he said. "That's an awful bit of country. More than one man has gone missing there and never been heard of again." And the whimsicality of Peters' look was enhanced. "I suppose you haven't seen much of the country then?" went on Driffield. "I wonder if you'd care to come along with me now. I could show you a pretty wild slice of it, and any number of Matabele at home, into the bargain." "There's your chance, Ancram," cried Peters. "By Jove! there's your chance."