ed across his mind.

"Then it's settled," exclaimed Mr Hunter. "I thought you'd jump at the
idea. I've spoken to Dr Hanly about it, and he and your mother are
quite willing for you to go. It will be the best thing you could
possibly do under the circumstances, and besides, you may find that the
experience will be of real service to you later on; for if you join the
army it is more than probable that you will find yourself out in Africa
with your regiment before many years are gone. I expect we shall sail
in about a month's time. It will be another four weeks before we reach
Johnny's Burg, as we call it, and then you can stay with us just as long
as you please."

Jack was delighted at the prospect before him, and made up his mind to
get his leg sound again as quickly as possible. Save for a trip on the
Continent with his father he had never left the shores of old England,
and now the knowledge that in a short time he would be on board a huge
ocean-going vessel bound for Africa, the land of gold and diamonds,
Zulus, ostriches, and lions, filled him with the highest spirits, and
served, to no small extent, to relieve the tedium of his long stay in
hospital.

A month afterwards he was staying with the Hunters at a fine hotel near
Piccadilly, and a week later had been able to give evidence at the Old
Bailey--where he was complimented for his pluck by the judge,--and had
seen the four ruffians who had attempted to obtain possession of the bag
of diamonds condemned to heavy sentences.

In a fortnight they had set sail from Southampton, and were well in the
Channel. It was a lovely summer's day, and Jack enjoyed the change
immensely. Reclining in a long cane chair, propped up with cushions and
wrapped in a rug, he was a subject of interest to the passengers, and
before many days had passed was on the best of terms with all. Indeed,
had he but known it, he was thought a deal of by them, for Mr Hunter
and Wilfred had not failed, when they joined the gentlemen in the
smoking-room, to tell how his leg became damaged; while Mrs Hunter
confided it to the ladies after dinner in the drawing-room.

Day by day Jack's leg grew stronger and more firmly knit, and very soon,
when the sea was quite smooth, he was able to hobble about the deck with
the help of a crutch. Before the voyage was over he had discarded the
plaster splint with which his thigh had been encased, and by the time
the big ship steamed into Table Bay and whi