"Who knows where you will be in eighteen months?
Why, by that time you will have forgotten all about me." "If I am alive and well, on the 1st of October, 1878, I shall be exactly where I am now, upon this very square in Pretoria, with a wagon, or wagons, prepared for a hunting trip.

But as not unnaturally you have doubts upon that point, I am prepared to pay forfeit if I fail, or even if circumstances cause you to fail." Here he took a cheque-book from his letter-case and spread it out on the little table in the tent, on which there were ink and a pen, adding-- "Now, Mr.Quatermain, will it meet your views if I fill this up for #250 ?" "No," I answered; "taking everything into consideration the sum is excessive.

But if you do not mind facing the risks of my non-appearance, to say nothing of your own, you may make it #50." "You are very moderate in your demands," he said as he handed me the cheque which I put in my pocket, reflecting that it would just pay for my son's operation.
"And you are very foolish in your offers," I replied.

"Tell me, why do you make such crack-brained arrangements ?" "I don't quite know.

Something in me seems to say that we _shall_ make this expedition and that it will have a very important effect upon my life.