make a complaint now about this affair with Halket, if he's made to shoot
the nigger against his will; what would come of it? There'd be half-a-
dozen fellows here squared to say what headquarters wanted--not to speak of
a fellow like that"--turning his thumb in the direction of the sleeping
trooper--"who are paid to watch. I believe he reports on the Captain
himself to the big headquarters. All one's wires are edited before they go
down; only what the Company wants to go, go through. There are many
downright good fellows in this lot; but how many of us are there, do you
think, who could throw away all chance of ever making anything in
Mashonaland, for the sake of standing by Halket; even if he had a real row
with the Company? I've a great liking for Halket myself, he's a real good
fellow, and he's done me many a good turn--took my watch only last night,
because I was off colour; I'd do anything for him in reason. But, I say
this flatly, I couldn't and wouldn't fly in the face of the authorities for
him or anyone else. I've my own girl waiting for me down in the Colony,
and she's been waiting for me these five years. And whether I'm able to
marry her or not depends on how I stand with the Company: and I say,
flatly, I'm not going to fall out with it. I came here to make money, and
I mean to make it! If other people like to run their heads against stone
walls, let them: but they mustn't expect me to follow them. This isn't a
country where a man can say what he thinks."

The Englishman rested his elbows on the ground. "And the Union Jack is
supposed to be flying over us."

"Yes, with a black bar across it for the Company," laughed the Colonial.

"Do you ever have the nightmare?" asked the Englishman suddenly.

"I? Oh yes, sometimes"; he looked curiously at his companion; "when I've