ry out a little piece of business for
me?" asked Mr Hunter one morning, extracting a letter from a big bundle
which he held in his hand.

"I have just had this offer of leather goods from the agents in Durban,
with whom I am in the habit of dealing. In spite of war scares, and the
fear that we should have to leave the country suddenly, shoals of
new-comers constantly reach us, and such articles as bags and trunks are
always in demand by those who are forced to travel from town to town.
Saddlery, bits, and reins are also easily disposed of. This would be a
good opportunity for you to make a run down to Durban. You have never
been there, and you could inspect these goods between the hours when you
will be looking round the town.

"There is a list of the articles that have just been shipped over from
England, and you will notice that against the prices quoted I have
ticked down the amount usually asked for here. If the goods are of
first-rate quality, you may close with the agents at once."

"Thanks! It's very good of you, and I'd like to go immensely, Mr
Hunter," Jack answered. "How many of each of these items am I to buy?
I see you have not stated that."

"Well, I imagine it is a big consignment, Jack, and I believe by buying
now I shall be able to sell all at a large profit, for I think there is
likely to be an unprecedented demand very shortly. So I shall leave it
to your discretion to buy as many as you think reasonable. Here is a
signed cheque. Of course you will get something taken off for a large
order, and the terms I shall also leave to you. You have already shown
you possess a business head, and I can therefore rely upon your carrying
the arrangements out satisfactorily. Fill in the cheque and hand it
over when you have settled the matter. To-day is Saturday. You had
better start on Monday morning, and I shall expect you back on the
Thursday or Friday following."

Jack was delighted at the confidence placed in him, and set off on the
Monday morning in the highest spirits. He purchased a return ticket,
shook hands with Wilfred--who would have liked to accompany him, but had
to remain behind, as his father was going to Kimberley for a few days,--
and jumped into a luxuriously-furnished carriage.

It was a long and monotonous journey to Durban. Many of the towns they
passed through, however, bore names which only a few months later were
to be in the mouths of all Englishmen, in fact of the whol