They looked as military as one could wish now; Cameron was amazed to think this was the same material he had seen drilling. A finer body of men had never passed down the streets of any city. They sat their magnificent horses magnificently; you knew there was nothing they could not do with the splendid beasts. The khaki uniform and khaki helmet, and the sunburnt ruddy faces made a healthful, workmanlike study in brown.
’That’s the dog Bushie,’ said Cameron to Challis. ’Every one in the colony is interested in him; the men say he will be very useful.’
The crowd yelled, ’Bushie, Bushie—hurrah! good old doggie,’ as the intelligent sheep-dog came into sight.
’Here’s Stevenson—see, the man on the left, Molly,’ Cameron said; ’our best friend. Good-bye, Mortimer, good luck! Good-bye, old fellow, good-bye.’
’What a fine fellow!’ said Mrs. Cameron, and what a good face! Who is the old man?’
’Why, it’s old Stevenson. Yes, just like him to do that,’ Cameron answered. The old squatter had ridden alongside the Bushmen the whole of the line of march. His face was working with excitement; every time a cheer went up from the crowd he cheered too, standing up from time to time in his saddle and waving his soft felt hat. He kept beside his son as much as he could; he was almost bursting with the pride of his position.
’Oh,’ she said, ’what a very dreadful thing if that nice man should be killed!’ She was quite captivated by the sunny smile Mortimer had given their group.
’There’s not a better fellow in the world,’ Cameron said warmly.
The khaki died away in the distance, the prancing horses were gone, the sound of the band grew fainter and fainter.
Yet a little time, and the transports would be plunging through the Heads with them, carrying them forward as fast as might be to dye the veldt red with their own blood or that of the Boers.
’We will not speak of years to-night; For what have years to bring, But larger floods of love and light, And sweeter songs to sing?’
They were in a quiet room at the hotel at last. They had lost sight of the tall-hatted gentleman and one musician entirely; the other had said thoughtfully that he would not intrude.
’This is not the way we meant to welcome your daughter, Mrs. Cameron,’ he said, laughing, as he clung by one hand to the timber, ’but, as you see, we’re all mad together to-day. By to-morrow we shall have calmed down a little, and there will be a deputation and everything in order. You’ll be at the Australia, of course?’