AFRICAN CAMP FIRES 



that were not a bit in accordance with the menu. 

 A single bone was sufficient to take the pretension out 

 of any fish. Our other particular friend was C., 

 with whom later we travelled in the interior of 

 Africa. C. is a very celebrated hunter and explorer, 

 an old Africander, his face seamed and tanned by 

 many years in a hard climate. For several days 

 we did not recognize him, although he sat fairly 

 alongside; but put him down as a shy man and let 

 it go at that. He never stayed for the long table 

 d'hote dinners; but fell upon the first solid course 

 and made a complete meal from that. When he had 

 quite finished eating all he could; he drank all he 

 could; then he departed from the table, and took 

 up a remote and inaccessible position in the corner 

 of the smoking room. He was engaged in growing 

 the beard he customarily wore in the jungle; a most 

 fierce outstanding Mohammedan-looking beard that 

 terrified the intrusive into submission. And yet 

 Bwana C. possessed the kindest blue eyes in the 

 world, full of quiet patience, great understanding 

 and infinite gentleness. His manner was abrupt and 

 uncompromising; but he would do anything in the 

 world for one who stood in need of him. From 

 women he fled; yet Billy won him with infinite 

 patience, and in the event they became the closest 

 of friends. Withal he possessed a pair of the most 



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