No More Learning

"My own hand," said the young man, without looking up. "Have you any
tobacco? "

Torpenhow waited till the sketch was finished, and when he had looked at
it said, "What's your business here? "

"Nothing; there was a row, so I came. 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.