LLONA FALLS IN
WITH A MERCHANTMAN IN DISTRESS--A GLEAM OF HOPE--TOUCHES AT THE CAPE AND
ADEN, AND PROCEEDS UP THE RED SEA--THE BELLONA REACHES ANNESLEY BAY--
JACK AND TOM LAND AT ZULLA--VISIT THE BRITISH CAMP--EXTENSIVE OPERATIONS
GOING FORWARD--MARCH COMMENCED--INTERVIEW BETWEEN SIR ROBERT NAPIER AND
THE PRINCE OF TIGRE--THE BRITISH ARMY ADVANCES TO ATTACK MAGDALA--
ENCOUNTERS THEODORE'S FORCES--DEFEAT OF THE ABYSSINIANS--THEODORE SENDS
LIEUTENANT PRIDEAUX TO SIR ROBERT--ANXIOUS NEGOTIATIONS--THE CAPTIVES
RELEASED--MOST OF THEODORE'S TROOPS LAY DOWN THEIR ARMS--THE KING HOLDS
OUT--MAGDALA STORMED--THEODORE SHOOTS HIMSELF--THE FORTRESS DESTROYED--
RETURN MARCH--THE BELLONA SAILS FOR ADEN.

The _Bellona_ and _Empress_ had been for some time at sea on their
voyage round the Cape of Good Hope. Adair had, to the last moment
before leaving England, expected to hear of his nephew, Lord Saint Maur,
but although he had instituted every possible inquiry, no news had come
of him.

He had hoped, should Gerald have been carried off by the ship which ran
down the yacht, that he would have got on board some homeward-bound
vessel or have landed at some port from whence he could send word of his
safety, which he would certainly have done, knowing the deep anxiety
which must be felt about him, not only by his uncle, but by his many
other friends.

Though sailing in company, Jack and Adair were seldom able to
communicate except by signal. They had, before crossing the line, met
with a heavy gale, during which they lost sight of each other, though
they fully expected to meet again before long, as their course was the
same and both ships sailed or steamed at a pretty equal rate. On board
the _Bellona_, which ship we must accompany, a look-out was kept for the
_Empress_, as Jack had no doubt that she was ahead. But day after day
the sun rose and set and she did not appear. The _Bellona_ had reached
almost to the latitude of Saint Helena, when it came on a dead calm, and
as there appeared every prospect of its continuance, Jack unwillingly--
as he had been charged to husband his coal--got up steam, and the ship
clove her rapid way through the calm water.

Just as morning dawned, the look-out from the mast-head announced a
vessel in sight on the starboard bow. Archie Gordon, who, as first
lieutenant, was paddling about with his trousers tucked up and his feet
bare, superintending the process of holystoning and washing decks,
inquir