“What do you think little Dan said about him just now?” said Dean.
“Can’t say, of course,” said his uncle. “What did he say?”
“That he was all shadow and flam.”
“Yes,” cried Mark; “and Buck Denham compared him to a human skeleton on stilts. I don’t like him; but I suppose we shall get used to him in time.”
“Tut, tut, tut!” ejaculated Sir James. “Don’t trifle, boys; this is a serious matter. Here, Mark, go and tell Buck Denham that I want to speak to him.”
The man came up, looking very serious, and shaking his head.
“Very sorry, sir,” he said, before Sir James could speak, “but I have just been having it over with that other little black, and he tells me that his mate came to him after the scare about the lion, and said he would not go any further, and went off at once.”
“Oh,” said Sir James. “Well, this is your business, doctor. I said I wouldn’t interfere. You are captain. You had better tell Denham what we have been talking about.”
“Yes. Look here, my man; we have come to the conclusion that this fellow would be very useful with the ponies.”
“Yes, sir?”