little pocket filled with soil that felt quite different from the
stiff stuff round and outside the pocket. There was not another trace
of gold. Of course it is possible that there were more pocketfuls
somewhere about, but all I have to say is I made up my mind that,
whoever found them, I should not; and, as a matter of fact, I have
since heard that this claim has been the ruin of two or three people,
as it very nearly was the ruin of me.

"'Harry,' I said presently, 'I am going away this week towards Delagoa
to shoot buffalo. Shall I take you with me, or send you down to
Durban?'

"'Oh, take me with you, father!' begged Harry, 'I want to kill a
buffalo!'

"'And supposing that the buffalo kills you instead?' I asked.

"'Oh, never mind,' he said, gaily, 'there are lots more where I came
from.'

"I rebuked him for his flippancy, but in the end I consented to take
him.



CHAPTER II

WHAT WAS FOUND IN THE POOL

"Something over a fortnight had passed since the night when I lost