The morning call., 1893-10-22

horses to be saddjed at once and asked
where the doctors residence was. He re-
ceived the gratifying Intelligence that he
was at that very moment in the hotel
where, so he was further informed. a ball
in honor Of a wedding which had taken
place that morning was being held.
The doctor, who was young and good
locking, and great favorite with the
female portion of the community, had
been appointed M. c., and was not par
ticularly well-pleased to be disturbed from
his pleasant duties by Jim's imperative
message. he came into the bar where Jim
was leaning against the counter, drinking
a glass of brandy and exchanging compi-
ments with the pretty barInaid, and looked
sharply at him.
well, what is it?" he said impatiently.
Jim took off his hat and bowed courte-
ously and explained his errand, and
assured the doctor that nothing but abso-
lutte necessity would have allowed him to
deprive the wedding guests of the doctors
society, but that under the circumstances
he had no choice but to do so, and asked
the doctor to accompany him at once to
Khranda.
more annoyed and dismayed. "Why,
that's good four hours ride from here,
he said. Look here. I'll give you some
medicine now and ride over in the morn
ing. An hour or two can't make much
difference. [ really can't go now."
Jim looked at him.
Il think you can," he said. blandly. II
really think that, on second thought you
will find it advisable to reconsider your
determination You are a stranger here,
believe, hut it is possible you may have
heard my maine mentioned. / am Jim
Goddart. at your service"
Jim GOddaTt"
The little doctor was naturally as little
of coward as most of his profession. but
lie was fresh from peaceful, law-abiding
England, and had not altogether lost his
inherited prejudices in favor of law and
order; and since he had come TO CrOnje he
had heard too much of the wild, lawless
ways of tle diamond-diggerS. and espec-
tally of Jim Goddart, to regard with much
complaceDcy the prospect of midnight
ride alone with him. But still less did he
like the idea of refusing 10 accompany
him. The jim GOddart lie had heard SO
much of would. from all accounts. think as
little OF putting a bullet through the man
who offended or opposed him as he him.
self would have thought, in the old days at
Guys. of dissecting the arm or leg of a
Subject; and just then. whether by acci-
dent or design he could not tell, Jim's coat
happened to fall back and the doctor saw
the barrel of a revolver peeping out of his
breast-poeket, and ut that and at the Set,
determined look in Jlm's face, the momen-
tary impulse which had urged him TO re-
fuse deserted him.
VERY WELL" he said, rather sullenly,
"since It's an urgent case. I'll CO."
II thought YOU would" Jim said, suave-
ly; Indeed l have already ordered a horse
for you. By the time you are ready" and
he glanced at the doctors dress suit aud
tie, and smiled grimly-how many years
was it since jim himself had worn such a
suit Pit Will be round"
DR.. Tyrone had many an adventure, and
many a strange riue with strange COM
panions in after years, but he will never
forget that ride with jim GOddart across
the lonely moonlit veldt. It stands out,
and always will stand, clear and distinct
from all other rides of his adventurous
life. The slight nervousness and con-
straint which lie at first felt sOun wore
away. Jim could he charming companion
when he liked, and on this occasion he ex-
er,ed himself to be entertaining, and he
succeeded so we'll that the doctor quite en-
joyed his ride.
The night was very hot and oppressive
unusually so Indeed, for in Natal, how
ever hot the days may be. the nights are
generally cool. The doctor remarked
upon this and wondered what the cause
OF the unusual heat and the sitting,
oppressive feeling that filed the air might
be. Jim, if he had felt disposed. could
caused by one of the grass fires common
enough In that district during the hot
weather; but he did not deem it prudent
to do so. BY and by. however. when they
had ridden through great bush" and
emerged from the trees on to the open
veldt, the heat became still more oppres-
sye, and the cause of it was soon apparent
to the doctor. for far across the veldt there
came rolling along great cloud of smoke,
lighted here and there by darting tongues
of flame. and behind tho smoke lurid
light, which was not the light of the
coming sunrise. glOwed in the eastern
sky.
The doctor checked his horse with an
exclamation of alarm.
''Looki lookp' he cried, and pointed
with his whip across the veldt.
jim nodded imperrurbabiy.
Yes, bit OF grass fire." he said CON-
posedly. They are common enough in the
dry season. Kaf1irs. and white men, too,
for that matter, are such careless bcggars.
They think nothing of flinging lighted
match or a firebrand among the grass. and
then there's fireup. as you see. Come on