curiosity
of Thomas, and he had spoken of it contemptuously to a friend, a
gardener on a neighbouring estate. It so happened that at that very
moment the man had with him a Dutchman, who had come on business to
England, and had run down to pay a visit to his friend. When Thomas
turned to go, this man offered to accompany him a little way. He soon
found out all that Thomas could tell him about the new plant, which
certainly was not much. Thomas was encouraged, however, to discover all
he could, and promises of a rich reward were held out if the plant
proved to be as rare as Thomas imagined. The man, being a dealer in
bulbs, was fully aware of the probable value of such a discovery, and
took pains to enlarge on the huge prices paid for new specimens. Thomas,
as a boy, had read _The Orchid Hunters_, and was not wholly ignorant of
the vast sums spent in sending men out to various parts of the world,
especially India and South America, to seek for new treasures in these
beautiful plants. He listened, therefore, with eagerness, but at the
same time assured himself he did not intend to steal the plant. He would
only discover all he could, especially where it was to be found, which
the Dutchman told him was the most important point.

It had indeed been 'here a little, there a little;' so little that
Thomas had considered it was not worth thinking about. A bit of
information that was all. Yet it had led to the theft of what he knew to
be of great value, and to the loss of his kind mistress's little ward.
It might well be said, 'How great a matter a little fire kindleth!'

(_Continued on page 172._)

[Illustration: "Peet looked up sleepily."]

[Illustration: "The head of a snake thrust out close to him."]

STORIES FROM AFRICA.

VI.--A TRAVELLER'S TALE.

[Illustration]

The bombardment of Algiers not only broke the power of the pirate
nation, but gave to England a prestige which extended far beyond the
dominions of the Dey; and three Britons who, a few years after Lord
Exmouth's campaign, started from Tripoli on an expedition into the wilds
of West Africa, found the fame of their countrymen stand them in good
stead. Two out of the three, Major Denham and Lieutenant Clapperton,
R.N., had won their laurels already in the great war with France, and,
being but little over thirty, were by no means disposed to settle down
quietly on half-pay. These two, and their companion, Dr. Audney, had
felt that strange summons wh