n their own. It was very much wasted, evidently through want of
food and over-fatigue; but we instantly recognised the once sturdy
little son of Njamie in the faded little being before us. He, too,
recognised us, for his bright spectral eyes opened wide when he saw us.

"I knew it," said I.

"I told you so," cried Peterkin.--"Now, Mak, pump him, and let's hear
what he knows."

The poor child was far too much exhausted to undergo the pumping process
referred to. He could merely answer that Njamie and Okandaga and Mbango
were prisoners in the camp, and then turned languidly away, as if he
desired rest.

"Poor boy!" said Peterkin tenderly, as he laid his hand gently on the
child's woolly pate.--"Tell them, Mak, to look well after him here, and
they shall be paid handsomely for--nay" (here he interrupted himself),
"don't say that. 'Tis a bad thing to offer to pay for that which people
are willing to do for love."

"Right, lad," said Jack: "we can easily make these poor folk happy by
giving them something afterwards, without saying that it is bestowed
because of their kindness to the boy. The proper reward of diligent
successful labour is a prize, but the best reward of love and kindness
is a warm, hearty recognition of their existence.--Just tell them, Mak,
that we are glad to see them so good and attentive to the little chap.--
And now, my generals, if it is consistent with your other engagements, I
would be glad to have a little private consultation with you."

"Ready and willing, my lord," said Peterkin, as we followed Jack towards
the king's palace. "But," he added seriously, "I don't like to be a
general of _division_ at all."

"Why not, Peterkin?"

"Why, you see, when I was at school I found division so uncommonly
difficult, and suffered so much, mentally and physically, in the
learning of it, that I have a species of morbid antipathy to the very
name. I even intend to refuse a seat in parliament, when offered to me,
because of the divisions that are constantly going on there. If you
could only make me a general of subtraction now, or--"

"That," interrupted Jack, "were easily done, by deducting you from the
force altogether, and commanding you to remain at home."

"In which case," rejoined Peterkin, "I should have to become general of
addition, by revolunteering my services, in order to prevent the whole
expedition from resolving itself into General Muddle, whose name and
services are well-known i