4 TALES OF A NOMAD. 



the commandant's orderly. What do you want ? All the 

 rum is finished; go to the issuer if you have any complaint." 



"The commandant wants Trooper X , sir." 



" I won't be long away, quartermaster ; keep my rum 

 for me." So saying, I left the tent, and reported myself 

 to the commandant. He was seated at a small table, 

 on which lay an open map. He was a man over six 

 feet in height and of splendid physique. His marked 

 features, resolute expression of countenance, quiet but 

 decided manner and resonant voice, betokened courage 

 and force of character. He was eminently a man to be 

 trusted in the hour of danger or disaster. He was not a 

 product of the school of discipline, but, like such men in 

 all new countries, he had been brought to the front by a 

 sort of process of natural selection, and owed his posi- 

 tion entirely to the personal qualities which he had often 

 displayed on critical occasions. Perhaps some may 

 recognise the portrait. 



" Trooper X ." 



" Yes, sir." 



" Are you disposed to go on special service?" 



" That is a curious question to ask me, sir. I arn ready 

 to go wherever you order me, or my duty leads me." 



" Yes, but I think it is hardly fair to send any parti- 

 cular man on a service of especial danger without asking 

 him whether he is cheerfully prepared to incur the risks." 



" I know, sir, that you would not wantonly expose 

 any man to unnecessary risk. The risk you hint at 

 must be in the course of duty, and, that being so, I am 

 quite prepared to undertake it cheerfully." 



" Well spoken, my lad. Did you see two natives 

 come into the camp this evening ? " 



"Yes." 



