Harley Greenoak's Charge Part 40

"There's some talk of giving him Basutoland."

"Oh, well, that's not so bad. The fine old chap'll have lots of time to hunt b.u.t.terflies and lizards up there."

"They say there's likely to be trouble up there," went on Hazel. "Now, Mr Greenoak, what will South Africa do without its 'providence'?"

"Yes. I knew that," said Greenoak, ignoring the last question. "The Commandant and I have often talked it over as more than a possibility."

"Then you'll be there, old chap," cried d.i.c.k. "Oh, for certain you'll be there."

"Maybe. I'm thinking of returning soon."

"Not until you've had some pheasant shooting, Greenoak," said Sir Anson.

"I swear you shan't go from here till you've had some pheasant shooting, and that won't be just yet. So you're anch.o.r.ed for the present, you see. Now," he went on, "fill the gla.s.ses. I'm going to propose a toast. Here it is. 'All our good friends across the water, coupled with the name of Harley Greenoak.'"

The latter looked, if he could look such a thing, a trifle nervous.

"I can't make a speech, Sir Anson," he said, when they had drunk it.

"Well, since I took charge of d.i.c.k there, I discovered more than once the truth of what you told me at the time. He certainly has an amazing apt.i.tude for getting into holes, but then he manages to get himself out again." ("Or you do it for him, old chap," interrupted d.i.c.k.) "Well, then, as you have coupled your toast with the name of Harley Greenoak, I reply by proposing another toast, and that is 'Harley Greenoak's Charge.'"

"Here, d.i.c.k," said Sir Anson, "open another bottle or so, and give the men a br.i.m.m.i.n.g b.u.mper apiece. They must drink this toast too. I forgot in the other case, but they can drink Greenoak's health as a toast to itself afterwards."

The keepers and watchers, who were eating their lunch under a tree a little way apart, were called up and duly supplied with the invigorating sparkle. Then the health was drunk with enthusiasm--

"Harley Greenoak's Charge!"

The End.