“Don’t they? I don’t know if you have ever walked with a knapsack, Father, but I have—and it’s just that very pound or so extra that makes all the difference in the world. Are you going to ride that horse all the way to Buluwayo?”
“Yes. But I shall have a day’s rest at Skrine’s Store, where I have to look after some of our people.”
“Thirty-five miles. You will hardly get him there—certainly not to-night. You had better come home with me.”
The other feared that this was impossible, as, after they had journeyed together up to a certain point, it would be right in the contrary direction. But he ceased to combat Lamont’s offer to relieve him of some of the load.
“You don’t travel light, Father,” laughed Lamont, as he finished strapping the valise across his own saddle.
“But this is not my own luggage. I have been on a round of visitation, and wherever I find some of our people they are glad of the opportunity to hear Mass. It is the ornaments required for the Mass that are in these saddle-bags.”
“Oh, I understand now,” said Lamont. “I thought it was camping outfit. Well, that is shepherding the flock and no mistake—and that over a pretty wide run.”
“That is what we are here for, Mr Lamont. It is possible we may miss some, but we try not to.”
“I’m sure you do,” assented Lamont heartily. “Why, you are proverbial in this country as models of energy.”
“That is pleasant to know. But, speaking personally, I like the life. I am strong, and it does me no harm.”