PRESTER JOHN by JOHN BUCHAN TO LIONEL PHILLIPS Time, they say, must the best of us capture, And travel and battle and gems and gold No more can kindle the ancient rapture, For even the youngest of hearts grows old. But in you, I think, the boy is not over; So take this medley of ways and wars As the gift of a friend and a fellow-lover Of the fairest country under the stars. J. B. CONTENTS Chapter I. The Man on the Kirkcaple Shore Chapter II. Furth! Fortune! Chapter III. Blaauwildebeestefontein Chapter IV. My Journey to the Winter-Veld Chapter V. Mr Wardlaw Has a Premonition Chapter VI. The Drums Beat at Sunset Chapter VII. Captain Arcoll Tells a Tale Chapter VIII. I Fall in Again with the Reverend John Laputa Chapter IX. The Store at Umvelos' Chapter X. I Go Treasure-Hunting Chapter XI. The Cave of the Rooirand Chapter XII. Captain Arcoll Sends a Message Chapter XIII. The Drift of the Letaba Chapter XIV. I Carry the Collar of Prester John Chapter XV. Morning in the Berg Chapter XVI. Inanda's Kraal Chapter XVII. A Deal and Its Consequences Chapter XVIII. How a Man May Sometimes Put His Trust in a Horse Chapter XIX. Arcoll's Shepherding Chapter XX. My Last Sight of the Reverend John Laputa Chapter XXI. I Climb the Crags a Second Time Chapter XXII. A Great Peril and a Great Salvation Chapter XXIII. My Uncle's Gift Is Many Times Multiplied CHAPTER I THE MAN ON THE KIRKCAPLE SHORE I mind as if it were yesterday my first sight of the man. Little I knew at the time how big the moment was with destiny, or how often that face seen in the fitful moonlight would haunt my sleep and disturb my waking hours. But I mind yet the cold grue of terror I got from it, a terror which was surely more than the due of a few truant lads breaking the Sabbath with their play.