All men made money when they came to South Africa,--Barney Barnato, Rhodes-
-they all made money out of the country, eight millions, twelve millions,
twenty-six millions, forty millions; why should not he!

Peter Halket started suddenly and listened. But it was only the wind
coming up the kopje like a great wheezy beast creeping upwards; and he
looked back into the fire.

He considered his business prospects. When he had served his time as
volunteer he would have a large piece of land given him, and the Mashonas
and Matabeles would have all their land taken away from them in time, and
the Chartered Company would pass a law that they had to work for the white
men; and he, Peter Halket, would make them work for him. He would make
money.

Then he reflected on what he should do with the land if it were no good and
he could not make anything out of it. Then, he should have to start a
syndicate; called the Peter Halket Gold, or the Peter Halket Iron-mining,
or some such name, Syndicate. Peter Halket was not very clear as to how it
ought to be started; but he felt certain that he and some other men would
have to take shares. They would not have to pay for them. And then they
would get some big man in London to take shares. He need not pay for them;
they would give them to him; and then the company would be floated. No one
would have to pay anything; it was just the name--"The Peter Halket Gold
Mining Company, Limited." It would float in London; and people there who
didn't know the country would buy the shares; THEY would have to give ready
money for them, of course; perhaps fifteen pounds a share when they were
up!--Peter Halket's eyes blinked as he looked into the fire.--And then,
when the market was up, he, Peter Halket, would sell out all his shares.
If he gave himself only six thousand and sold them each for ten pounds,