“It’s hardly sport to shoot a man tied up neck and legs,” said the Englishman; his finely drawn eyebrows contracting and expanding a little.

“Oh, they don’t feel, these niggers, not as we should, you know. I’ve seen a man going to be shot, looking full at the guns, and falling like that!—without a sound. They’ve no feeling, these niggers; I don’t suppose they care much whether they live or die, not as we should, you know.”

The Englishman’s eyes were still fixed on the bushes, behind which Halket’s head appeared and disappeared.

“They have no right to order Halket to do it—and he will not do it!” said the Englishman slowly.

“You’re not going to be such a fool as to step in, are you?” said the Colonial, looking curiously at him. “It doesn’t pay. I’ve made up my mind never to speak whatever happens. What’s the good? Suppose one were to make a complaint now about this affair with Halket, if he’s made to shoot the nigger against his will; what would come of it? There’d be half-a-dozen fellows here squared to say what headquarters wanted—not to speak of a fellow like that”—turning his thumb in the direction of the sleeping trooper—“who are paid to watch. I believe he reports on the Captain himself to the big headquarters. All one’s wires are edited before they go down; only what the Company wants to go, go through. There are many downright good fellows in this lot; but how many of us are there, do you think, who could throw away all chance of ever making anything in Mashonaland, for the sake of standing by Halket; even if he had a real row with the Company? I’ve a great liking for Halket myself, he’s a real good fellow, and he’s done me many a good turn—took my watch only last night, because I was off colour; I’d do anything for him in reason. But, I say this flatly, I couldn’t and wouldn’t fly in the face of the authorities for him or anyone else. I’ve my own girl waiting for me down in the Colony, and she’s been waiting for me these five years. And whether I’m able to marry her or not depends on how I stand with the Company: and I say, flatly, I’m not going to fall out with it. I came here to make money, and I mean to make it! If other people like to run their heads against stone walls, let them: but they mustn’t expect me to follow them. This isn’t a country where a man can say what he thinks.”

The Englishman rested his elbows on the ground. “And the Union Jack is supposed to be flying over us.”