Drink this ?" Compton emptied the glass with a wry face, and Venning, when his turn came, shuddered; but they got the dose down, and smiled.
"Now," said Mr.Hume, "you both of you give me references to the headmaster of your school, and I will give you one in return.

I will make inquiries about you, and I would advise you to make inquiries about me.

You can come back here to-morrow afternoon, and if we are mutually satisfied, we will then fix up a contract." "I don't think we require a reference," said Venning.
"Why not ?" said Mr.Hume, sharply.
"Because," blurted out Venning, turning red--"because you have lived among animals." Mr.Hume laughed heartily with a deep rumbling laugh.
"Animals are tricky, boy; and yet," he added, "there may be a meaning in what you say.

They have a dignity in death that is grand.
Go and make your inquiries, lads.

I am Dave Hume, the hunter, and my life has been passed in wild lands, but there are some in London who know me." He rose up to open the door, and Venning overtopped him by inches, yet he did not look either small or unwieldy.