No More Learning

I'm supposed to be doing something
down at the painting-slips among the boats, or else I'm in charge of the
condenser on one of the water-ships. I've forgotten which. "

"You've cheek enough to build a redoubt with," said Torpenhow, and took
stock of the new acquaintance. "Do you always draw like that? "

The young man produced more sketches. "Row on a Chinese pig-boat," said
he, sententiously, showing them one after another. --"Chief mate dirked
by a comprador. --Junk ashore off Hakodate. --Somali muleteer being
flogged. --Star-shell bursting over camp at Berbera. --Slave-dhow being
chased round Tajurrah Bah. --Soldier lying dead in the moonlight outside
Suakin. --throat cut by Fuzzies. "

"H'm! " said Torpenhow, "can'tsay I care for Verestchagin-and-water
myself, but there's no accounting for tastes.
Doing anything now, are
you? "

"No. I'm amusing myself here. "

Torpenhow looked at the sketches again, and nodded. "Yes, you're right
to take your first chance when you can get it. "

He rode away swiftly through the Gate of the Two War-Ships, rattled
across the causeway into the town, and wired to his syndicate, "Got man
here, picture-work. Good and cheap. Shall I arrange? Will do letterpress
with sketches. "

The man on the redoubt sat swinging his legs and murmuring, "I knew the
chance would come, sooner or later. By Gad, they'll have to sweat for it
if I come through this business alive! "

In the evening Torpenhow was able to announce to his friend that
the Central Southern Agency was willing to take him on trial, paying
expenses for three months. "And, by the way, what's your name? " said
Torpenhow.

"Heldar. Do they give me a free hand?