Further out of the town were to be seen tents pitched by the emigrants, who had provided themselves with such necessaries before they had quitted England, and who were bivouacking like so many gipsies, independent of lodgings and their attendant expenses, and cooking their own provisions in kettles or frying-pans.  As Alexander perceived the latter, he said, “At all events, we have found lodgings now; I never thought of that.”

“How do you mean?”

“I have two tents in the luggage I brought from Cape Town; we must get them on shore, and do as these people have done.”

“Bravo!  I am glad to hear that,” replied Major Henderson; “any thing better than remaining on board to be nibbled by the cockroaches.  Shall we return at once?”

“By all means,” said Mr. Swinton; “we have but to get our mattresses and a few other articles.”

“Leave my man to do all that,” said the Major; “he is used to it.  In India we almost live in tents when up the country.  But here comes one that I should know;—­Maxwell, I believe?”

“Even so, my dear Henderson,” replied the military officer who had been thus addressed; “why, what brought you here?—­surely you are not a settler?”

“No; I am here because I am not a settler,” replied Henderson, laughing; “I am always on the move; I am merely on my own way with my two friends here to shoot a hippopotamus.  Allow me to introduce Mr. Wilmot and Mr. Swinton.  But I see you are on duty; are you in the fort?”

“Yes; I came from Somerset about a month back.  Can I be of any use to you?”

“That depends upon circumstances; we are now going on board for our tents, to pitch them on the hill there, as we can get no lodgings.”

“Well, I can not offer you beds in the fort, but I think if you were to pitch your tents outside the fort, on the glacis, you would be better than on the hill; your baggage would be safer, and I should be more able to render you any attention or assistance you may require.”

“An excellent idea; if it were only on account of the baggage,” replied Henderson; “we accept your offer with pleasure.”

“Well then, get them on shore as quick as you can; my men will soon have them out for you and assist in transporting your luggage; and don’t distress yourself about your dinner, I will contrive to have something cooked for you.”

“A friend in need is a friend indeed, my good fellow.  We will accept your offers as freely as they are made:  so farewell for an hour or so.”

As they parted with Captain Maxwell, Henderson observed, “That was a lucky meeting, for we shall now get on well.  Maxwell is an excellent fellow, and he will be very useful to us in making our purchases, as he knows the people and the country:  and our luggage will be safe from all pilferers.”

“It is indeed very fortunate,” replied Mr. Swinton.  “Where did you know Captain Maxwell?”

“In India.  We have often been out hunting tigers together.  How he would like to be of our party; but that is of course impossible.”