had not yet attempted at Cape Coast Castle. Then they steamed on along
the coast, rising and falling with the swell, while the music of the
surf as it fell on the sandy beach came to their ears. In due course
they sighted the huge, irregular erection known as the Castle, and very
soon the launch was moored off the beach. Dick signalled for a
surf-boat and in half an hour had reached the shore, taking with him his
store of gold. There were plenty of native porters about, and he hired
six, who at once took up the bags. Then the procession set off, and
crossing the bridge which separates the native town from the European
settlements, turned its steps towards the house in which Mr Stapleton
had lived. No one was out as the party arrived, so Dick had the bags
piled on the edge of the verandah. He had a little money with him, and
therefore was able to dismiss the carriers. Then he pulled at the bell,
while he stood on the verandah keeping guard over the gold. There was a
shuffling of feet, and a few seconds later a tall, slim figure emerged
from the main room, and gave vent to a cry of amazement.

It was Mr Pepson, gaunter than ever, with signs of suffering written on
his face, which now showed the utmost astonishment and delight. Never
had Dick seen him so betray his feelings. He almost shed tears, and
gripped our hero's hand so firmly that the fingers ached. Meanwhile
Dick noticed that something had happened to his employer, for he wore
one arm in a sling, while there was a large strip of plaster at the back
of his head.

"Another wound which I owe to the Ashantis," said Mr Pepson, breaking
the silence. "We were attacked and cut up. But sit down. I'm still
very weak, and your unexpected return has staggered me. I never hoped
to see you alive again, my boy. I have blamed myself over and over
again that the desire to obtain gold from this mine should have induced
me to place you in such a dangerous position. And you are wounded, too.
Why, you are limping, and there are bandages here and there!"

Dick admitted the fact, for the surgeon aboard the _Rattlesnake_ had
insisted on dressing his wounds.

"But you, sir, and Meinheer?" he asked. "You were attacked?"

"Treacherously, and I grieve to say that the agent who was returning
with us was killed at the first discharge. It was quite near the mouth
of the Pra, and we thought that there was nothing more to fear. We made
a capital trip of it and everything