ems to think
that you're going to do nothing but suck sweet-stuff all the time you're
out."

"Why, what's that, Dinny?" cried Dick, who had just brought out a heavy
box.

"Sure, it's sugar-shticks and candy," said Dinny; and he went off to
fetch something else.

"Why, so it is, Dick," said Jack. "I say, father, are we to pack this
sweet-stuff in the waggon? We don't want it."

"Indeed, but we do," said his father, coming up. "Why a handful of
sweet-stuff will make friends with a Boer, when everything else fails.
Here, put this in the fore box. Perhaps, when I bring this out you'll
be glad to get at the sweet-stuff."

"What is it, father?" said Dick.

Mr Rogers opened the little deal case and turned it out, to begin
packing it again.

"Here's a bottle of chloroform, and another of castor oil; two bottles
of chlorodyne; a pound of Epsom salts; four large boxes of pills; a roll
of sticking-plaster; a pot of zinc ointment; and a bottle of quinine and
one of rhubarb and magnesia."

Jack's countenance was a study. For as his father carefully repacked
the little box the lad's face grew into a hideous grimace. He waited
till Mr Rogers had finished his enumeration, and then clapping his
handkerchief over his mouth, he uttered a loud "Ugh!" and ran and stood
a few yards away.

"I shan't go," he cried.

"Why not?" said Mr Rogers, smiling.

"Why the waggon will smell, of nothing but physic. What's the good of
taking it, father?"

"The good? Well, my boy, there's nothing like being prepared; and we
are going far away from doctors, if we wanted their help. We may none
of us be unwell, but it is quite likely that we may, either of us, get a
touch of fever. Besides, we might meet with an accident; and for my
part, as I have a little knowledge of medicine and surgery, I know
nothing more painful than to find people sick and to be unable to give
them the remedy that would make them well. We shall be sure to find
some sick people amongst the natives, and they have a wonderful
appreciation of the white man's medicine."

"Well, look here," said Jack, "if you'll shut the box up very tightly,
I'll consent to come."

Mr Rogers smiled, and did shut the little box up very tightly, after
which the preparations went on; and it was perfectly wonderful to see
what that waggon would hold.

There was a moderate case of wines and spirits, also to act as
medicines; several dozens of coloured blankets for presents; waterp