“What is it?” he asked of the orderly, testily; for he was nearly worked to death.
“A complaint, sir.”
“Well, send them in.”
The door opened, and a curious couple entered. One was a great, burly sailor-man, who had been a quartermaster on board one of her Majesty’s ships at Cape Town, got drunk, overstayed his leave, and deserted rather than face the punishment; the other a quick, active little fellow, with a face like a ferret. He was a Zululand trader, who had ruined himself by drink, and a peculiarly valuable member of the corps on account of his knowledge of the country in which they were going to serve. Both the men saluted and stood at ease.
“Well, my men, what is it?” asked Ernest, going on filling up his forms.
“Nothing, so far as I am concerned, sir,” said the little man.
Er
