"So you are willing to go?" said Orme. "But I hope you clearly
understand that this is a risky business, and that you may not come
back?"

"Spion Kop was a bit risky, Captain, and so was that business in the
donga, where every one was hit except you and me and the sailor man, but
we came back, for all that. Begging your pardon, Captain, there ain't no
such thing as risk. Man comes here when he must, and dies when he must,
and what he does between don't make a ha'porth of difference."

"Hear, hear," I said; "we are much of the same way of thinking."

"There have been several who held those views, sir, since old Solomon
gave the lady that"--and he pointed to Sheba's ring, which was lying
on the table. "But excuse me, Captain; how about local allowances? Not
having been a marrying man myself, I've none dependent upon me, but, as
you know, I've sisters that have, and a soldier's pension goes with
him. Don't think me greedy, Captain," he added hastily, "but, as you
gentlemen understand, black and white at the beginning saves bother at
the end"--and he pointed to the agreement.

"Quite right. What do you want, Sergeant?" asked Orme.

"Nothing beyond my pay, if we get nothing, Captain, but if we get
something, would five per cent. be too much?"

"It might be ten," I suggested. "Sergeant Quick has a life to lose like
the rest of us."

"Thank you kindly, sir," he answered; "but that, in my opinion, would be