“No, I want to kick it then,” she said.

“You seem difficult to please,” he observed.

Sylvia looked out across the veldt.  “I like a man to be just a jolly comrade,” she said.  “If he can’t be that, I’ve no use for him.”

“I see,” said Burke slowly.  “That’s to be my role, is it?”

She turned to him impulsively with extended hand.  “I think you can fill it if you try.”

He took the hand, grasping it strongly.  “All right.  I’ll try,” he said.

“You don’t mind?” she said half-wistfully.  “You see, it makes such a difference to feel there’s someone like that to turn to in trouble—­someone who won’t let you down.”

“I shan’t let you down,” said Burke.

Her fingers closed hard on his.  “You’re a brick,” she said.  “Now let’s have some lunch, and then, if you don’t mind, I’m going to sleep!”

“Best thing you can do,” said Burke.

They rested for the greater part of the afternoon in the shadow of their boulder.  Sylvia lay with her head on a light rug that he spread for her, and he sat with his back to the rock and smoked with eyes fixed straight before him.

Sleep came to the girl very quickly for she was tired, and her healthy young body was swift to find repose.  But the man, watching beside her, did not even doze.  He scarcely varied his position throughout his vigil, scarcely glanced at the figure nestled in the long grass so close to him.  But his attitude had the alertness of the man on guard, and his brown face was set in grimly resolute lines.  It gave no indication whatever of that which was passing in his mind.

CHAPTER IX

THE ARRIVAL

It was drawing towards evening when Sylvia at length stirred, stretched, and opened her eyes.  A momentary bewilderment showed in them, then with a smile she saw and recognized her companion.

She sat up quickly.  “I must have been asleep for ages.  Why didn’t you wake me?”

“I didn’t want to,” he said.

She looked at him.  “What have you been doing?  Have you been asleep?”

He raised his shoulders to the first question.  To the second he replied merely, “No.”

“Why didn’t you smoke?” she asked next.

For an instant he looked half-ashamed, then very briefly, “I don’t live on tobacco,” he said.

“How very silly of you!” said Sylvia.  “It wouldn’t have disturbed me in the least.  I smoke cigarettes myself.”

Burke said nothing.  After a moment he got to his feet.

“Time to go?” she said.

“Yes.  I think we ought to be moving.  We have some miles to go yet.  You sit still while I get the horses in!”

But Sylvia was on her feet.  “No.  I’m coming to help.  I like to do things.  Isn’t it hot?  Do you think there will be a storm?”

He looked up at the sky.  “No, not yet.  It’ll take some time to break.  Are you afraid of storms?”