or indeed desirable; but in the farm in Natal
it was altogether different. The work of looking after a number of
Kaffirs planting and watering trees was monotonous, and unbroken, as it
generally was, by the sight of a strange face from the beginning to the
end of the week, it was likely to become irksome to a boy.

Occasionally indeed Dick and Tom Jackson would meet and go out on a
shooting expedition together; but Tom could seldom be spared, as his
father, being shorter-handed than Mr Humphreys, found him of
considerable use.

Soon after daylight Dick was aroused by his father.

"Jump up at once, Dick; I want you to ride over with a letter to Mr
Jackson. We have pretty well settled that you shall go with Mr Harvey,
and I am writing to make an offer to Mr Jackson for the use of his
waggon for six months."

Dick gave a shout of delight, and in a very short time had dressed
himself, and, having saddled his horse, was dashing at full speed across
the veldt. Early as the hour was when he arrived, Mr Jackson was
already out in his fields. Dick soon found him, and handed him the
letter, and while he was reading it explained in low, excited words to
Tom the mission on which he had come.

"Well, I don't know," Mr Jackson said, when he had finished the letter;
"your father makes me a very liberal offer, Dick, for my waggon and team
for six months, on the condition that I allow Tom to accompany them, and
he points out that in his opinion a journey of this kind will be likely
to develop the boy's character and teach him many things that may some
day be of use to him. It comes upon me suddenly, and it seems he wants
the waggon and team to be at Newcastle this evening, ready for a start
in the morning. He himself is going to ride over there to purchase
goods to freight it directly he receives my reply. I must go in and
consult with mother before I come to any decided conclusion."

So saying he strode off towards the house.

Dick, leading his pony, walked after, by the side of Tom, to whom he
explained all he knew of the character of the proposed journey.

"Mr Harvey says, Tom, that of course he goes to trade, but that at the
same time he does a lot of shooting, both for the sake of the skins and
for the meat for the men. He says that he often meets with lions,
hippopotami, and sometimes elephants--sometimes they meet with hostile
natives."

Altogether the expedition promised an immense variety of adventure. The