Part 38 (2/2)
”I am much your debtor, my dear boy,” said he; ”and if it is any satisfaction to you (which I am sure it must be from your kind heart) to know that you have smoothed the death-bed of one who loves you, you have your reward I feel quite strong now; and if it will not be too ive me a narrative of the whole expedition; not all at once, but a little now and then You shall begin now, andwill interest me”
Alexander co to him how they were fitted out; the naiving a much closer narrative of what passed than we have done in these pages After an hour or so, during which Alexander had not got so far in his narrative as to have quitted the Cape for Algoa Bay, he left off, that he ht
For many weeks did the narrative, and the conversation produced by it, serve to aentle before it was finished, Major Henderson had arrived at the hall, and had been introduced to Sir Charles, asas he found it agreeable
The Major, at Alexander's request, had the lion and lioness set up in Leadbeater's best style, and the case had now arrived at the hall, and was brought up into Sir Charles's rooht have some idea of the animals hich they had had to contend; and there it reentleman would not allow it to be taken away
”I must send out a present to that little O with the Major; ”what shall it be?”
”Well, sir, I hardly know; but I think the best present for him would be a watch”
”Then, Major, order one of the best gold watches that can be o to town, and send it out to hiive you that trouble, but I am an old bedridden man, and that -table, and open the small drawer of that cabinet, and you will find twotohimself on his pillow, opened the cases, which contained each a reat value
”These two rings were presented me by Eastern princes, Major, at the time that I was resident in their country There is little difference in their value, but you would find it difficult to ain, and now that I have shut them up in my hands, take one out for me Thank you, Major; that one is a present from me to our friend Swinton, and you must send it out to him with the watch for the Bush-boy The other, Major, I hope you will not refuse to accept as a testi accompanied my dear boy on his expedition”
Sir Charles put the other case into the Major's hands
”I certainly will not refuse any thing as a remembrance from you, Sir Charles,” replied the Major; ”I accept your splendid present with many thanks, and so will Swinton, I am certain; but he will be more pleased with the kind attention than he will be with its great value; and I trust you will believe ”
”I only hope you iving them,” replied Sir Charles; ”so put them in your pocket and say noup, I know his tread; I hope you do noton; he will be very lonely, poor felloithout you”
”I have good news, my dear uncle,” said Alexander, as he entered; ”Swinton is co home; I have a letter froht after his letter”
”I shall be most happy to shake hands with him,” said Sir Charles ”Pray write for him to come down immediately he arrives”
Three weeks after this announcement Swinton made his appearance, and we hardly need say waswith him, as he wished him to continue his education; but the Major declared that he had left the boy because he was afraid of his being taken froreed a themselves that it was quite as comfortable at the hall as it was at the Bechuana country; and that if the sporting was not quite so exciting, at all events it was not quite so dangerous
Swinton and the Major re of the next year, and then they both left at the same time, and sailed in the saiment in India, Swinton to his favorite locality in Africa, to obtain some more specimens in natural history
As the physician had declared, Sir Charles never rose froradually that it was almost imperceptible, and it was not until the su without pain, and in perfect possession of his senses
Alexander now came into possession of the estates and title, and certainly he entered upon them without any reproach as to his conduct toward his uncle, who died blessing hi readers farewell
THE END