was another man. I was out seven days: and he was only out one night.
But I think it's the loneliness that got hold of him. Man, those stars are
awful; and that stillness that comes toward morning!" He stood up. "It's
a great pity, because he's as good a fellow as ever was. But perhaps he'll
come all right."

He walked away towards the pot with the bird in his hand. When he had gone
the Englishman turned round on to his back, and lay with his arm across his
forehead.

High, high up, between the straggling branches of the tree, in the clear,
blue African sky above him, he could see the vultures flying southward.

...

That evening the men sat eating their suppers round the fires. The large
troop had not come up; and the mules had been brought in; and they were to
make a start early the next morning.

Halket was released from his duty, and had come up, and lain down a little
in the background of the group who gathered round their fire.

The Colonial and the Englishman had given orders to all the men of their
mess that Halket was to be left in quiet, and no questions were to be asked
him; and the men, fearing the Colonial's size and the Englishman's nerve,
left him in peace. The men laughed and chatted round the fire, while the
big Colonial ladled out the mealies and rice into tin plates, and passed
them round to the men. Presently he passed one to Halket, who lay half
behind him leaning on his elbow. For a while Halket ate nothing, then he
took a few mouthfuls; and again lay on his elbow.