"Of course you never heard of it, for he wasn't an English boy. If he had been the whole world would have heard of it. One of your own authors says of the book he wrote about that walk, as near as I can recall the words, 'Sir Francis Head went over this same ground on horseback, and gave us a good account of it; but the quiet walk of this American boy is worth infinitely more than the rough rides of the British baronet.' What do you think of that, Mr. Dibbits?"
"It's very extraordinary—very!" replied the landlord.
"I should say it was; but it is true, and it shows that American boys have some get-up about them, doesn't it?"
"It certainly does. I know that you will go through with your undertaking as he did with his, for I can see by your face that you are a brave lad."
"If you were an Irishman I should say that was blarney," thought Oscar. "You've got an axe to grind."
"You'll be needing cattle and salted horses," continued Mr. Dibbits, "and if I could be of any assistance now——"
"I thought there was something of that sort in the wind," said Oscar to himself; then aloud he answered, "I have everything I need, thank you; and even if I hadn't I should not think of dealing with any of those men who are now standing at your bar. I know one of them; I met him in Durban, and I know he is angry at me because I did not buy my outfit and hire my men of him. I know, too, that he and his fellows have a way of breaking up the hunting expeditions of men they do not like; but I didn't come here to be broken up, and I won't be, either. If anybody interferes with me—— Mr. Dibbits, just look at that!"
While Oscar was speaking he chanced to turn his eyes toward the stable-yard and saw a sight that astonished and enraged him.