The three Colonial Englishmen took no notice of him. Two, who were slowly smoking, were of the large and powerful build, and somewhat loose set about the shoulders, which is common among Colonial Europeans of the third generation, whether Dutch or English, and had the placidity and general good temper of expression which commonly marks the Colonial European who grows up beyond the range of the cities. The third was smaller and more wiry and of an unusually nervous type, with aquiline nose, and sallow hatchet face, with a somewhat discontented expression. He was holding forth, while his companions smoked and listened. “Now what I say is this,” he brought his hand down on the red sand; “here we are with about one half teaspoon of Dop given us at night, while he has ten empty champagne bottles lying behind his tent. And we have to live on the mealies we’re convoying for the horses, while he has pati and beef, and lives like a lord! It’s all very well for the regulars; they know what they’re in for, and they’ve got gentlemen over them anyhow, and one can stomach anything if you know what kind of a fellow you’ve got over you. English officers are gentlemen, anyhow; or if one was under Selous now--” “Oh, Selous’s a MAN!” broke out the other two, taking their pipes from their mouths. “Yes, well, that’s what I say. But these fellows, who couldn’t do as farmers, and couldn’t do as shopkeepers, and God knows what else; and their friends in England didn’t want to have them; they’re sent out here to boss it over us! It’s a damned shame! Why, I want to know, amn’t I as good as any of these fellows, who come swelling it about here? Friends got money, I suppose!” He cast his sharp glance over towards the bell tent. “If they gave us real English officers now--” “Ah!” said the biggest of his companions, who, in spite of his huge form, had something of the simplicity and good nature of a child in his handsome face; “it’s because you’re not a big enough swell, you know! He’ll be a colonel, or a general, before we’ve done with him. I call them all generals or colonels up here; it’s safest, you know; if they’re not that today they will be tomorrow!” This was intended as a joke, and in that hot weather, and in that dull world, anything was good enough to laugh at: the third man smiled, but the first speaker remained serious.