haste and repented of at leisure can raise herself to her husband's
level. The husband's friends keep silence, and perhaps, like the
mariner's bird, they meditate all the more.

What Meredith proposed to do was to enter into a partnership with
Victor Durnovo, and when the purpose of it was accomplished, to let
each man go his way. Such partnerships are entered into every day.
Men have carried through a brilliant campaign--a world-affecting
scheme--side by side, working with one mind and one heart; and when
the result has been attained they drop out of each other's lives for
ever. They are created so, for a very good purpose, no doubt. But
sometimes Providence steps in and turns the little point of contact
into the leaven that leaveneth the whole lump. Providence, it
seems--or let us call it Fate--was hovering over that lone African
river, where two men, sitting in the stern of a native canoe, took
it upon themselves to prearrange their lives.

A month later Victor Durnovo was in London. He left behind him in
Africa Jack Meredith, whose capacities for organisation were
developing very quickly.

There was plenty of work for each to do. In Africa Meredith had
undertaken to get together men and boats, while Durnovo went home to
Europe for a threefold purpose. Firstly, a visit to Europe was
absolutely necessary for his health, shattered as it was by too long
a sojourn in the fever-ridden river beds of the West Coast.
Secondly, there were rifles, ammunition, and stores to be purchased
and packed in suitable cases. And, lastly, he was to find and
enlist the third man, "the soldierly fellow full of fight," who knew
the natives and the country.