or an early start. As he looked in his glass that morning,
an hour before the sun rose above the steaming jungle and bush, he saw
there a young fellow of medium height, dressed in a loose-fitting
knickerbocker suit, with wide-awake hat to match. A leather belt was
about his waist, and slung to it was a revolver, while on the other hip
he carried a short sword, with a keen cutting edge on one side, the
reverse being fashioned like a saw, for they would have dense jungle to
pass through, and such an implement was necessary. Beneath the loose
coat he wore a light flannel shirt and turn-down collar, open at the
neck. A pair of gaiters covered his calves, while his feet were clad in
strong shooting boots. Altogether he looked a likely young fellow, and
his smooth features and firm chin, disclosing a creditable amount of
determination and obvious courage for one so young, set off his general
appearance and led one to believe that the mining partners had not made
such a bad choice after all.

"It's we who have made the mistake," said the Governor that morning to
his secretary, as he bade farewell to the expedition. "We knew the lad
was in difficulties and wanted a job, but we thought him too young. We
let him kick his heels till he was miserable. We looked on while he was
robbed and ruined, and we should have helped him to slip from the
country had it not been for that plucky dash of his. I tell you, there
are bad times coming. I could have found him useful as a police
officer. We want a likely fellow, who can speak this Fanti tongue, to
keep an eye open for the doings of the Elmina natives. This fellow
would have done well. But there! we've lost him. It's always the way
with those in authority. We hesitate. We know that our choice must be
sanctioned by some man in office away at home, a man, mind you, who has
never seen the object of our choice. That's red tape. It kills
initiative. It has lost us a good fellow, and these men, Pepson and the
Dutchman, have been too smart for us. They have jumped at him, and
they've a real good fellow."

There was quite a commotion in Cape Coast Castle that morning. Many
turned out to see the last of the expedition, and there was a cheer as
the party embarked on a surf-boat, and put out to the steam launch lying
just off the beach.

"Good luck! and watch the Ashantees," shouted one of the Government
officials.

"Bring back plenty of gold," called out another.

"Good-