heir
attention has been called to the practice of seamen wearing steel
stretchers in their caps, and to the danger which may result from these
stretchers becoming strongly magnetised, and being worn by men close to
the ship's compasses. Instances have been reported of compasses being
considerably deflected in this manner, and their Lordships have now
directed that the use of steel stretchers in caps is to be immediately
discontinued.' I wonder if the deflection of the compass of the _Queen
of the Isles_ can be explained in a similar way. Possibly the helmsman
may have been wearing one of these stretchers."

"Whew!" exclaimed the Honourable John, giving his knee a tremendous
slap. "I have it. I must write to my cousin. It is my fault--my fault,
entirely. But I never thought of it."

"Thought of what?" asked Syd.

"What do you mean?" inquired I.

"This----" and the Honourable John for once exhibited a rueful face.
"You saw where the cap. placed me; and how I tilted my stool and leaned
against the binnacle. Well, look here!" and he folded back the lappets
of his coat, and showed us a narrow band of flat spring steel that
passed under his collar and down either side to keep it from creasing
and to help it to fit closely to his body. "That patent thing has done
the mischief, without a doubt. Oh, what a fool I am! I might have sent
the whole ship-load of us to Davy Jones. I'll forswear this fashionable
toggery henceforth when I'm away on holiday, and follow the innocent
example of sensible chaps like you."

We made no comment, but we both observed that our companion was
singularly quiet all the way from Plymouth to London.

XIV

IN PERIL IN AFRICA

The attempt to open up new countries, the natives of which object to the
process, naturally leads to adventures, often of a very dangerous kind.
Nevertheless, explorers and traders take their lives in their hands,
considering the possible results well worth the risk.

So does the missionary. In place of worldly fame and wealth, his efforts
are likely to bring him suffering and death; but, while facing these, he
may spread the faith which is dearer to him than life; he may bring the
news of the love of God, with its uplifting power, to those who, sunk in
ignorance and degradation, tremble before idols; and he, too, feels that
personal dangers are not worth weighing in comparison with the glorious
cause in which they are dared. As Bishop Hannington said just before