LIBERALITY OF THE CATERER. 193 



there is nothing more to be done, so we had better 

 be moving homewards." 



" Yes," replied Mackenzie, " let us be jogging, for 

 I intend to produce a tin of stewed eels at dinner, 

 in honour of Hawkes' escape." 



" Hear, hear ! " said Norman, applauding the un- 

 wonted liberality with regard to the hermetically- 

 sealed supplies of the cautious caterer. 



Young Hawkes said nothing ; and his friends 

 pretended not to see that the lad's eyes glistened 

 and his heart was full, as he thought of the old 

 man in his distant home, and the bright smiles of a 

 sister's sunny face, and the effect the news of his 

 death if such had been would have had on them. 

 But with the buoyancy of youth, his face soon 

 cleared, and he was chatting with his wonted gaiety 

 long ere they reached the camp. 



" Well, this is a day of luxury," said Mackenzie, 

 as some soup in tea-cups was placed before each of 

 the party, when they sat down to dinner the same 

 evening. " Smells rather strong though, does it 

 not ? Gad ! that's the queerest soup I ever tasted," 

 he continued, as he took a large spoonful. " What 

 is it made of, Sheik Hussein ? Not the bear, I 

 hope." 



" Bear-soup ? No, your honour. I have been a 

 butler since many years, but I never saw bear-soup." 



