dividual who
first recognised the new-comer.

"What's this!" he gasped, stepping a little way from his beat. "'Ere,
sergeant, split me! but that 'ere's Mr Stapleton! Mr Dick Stapleton!
Do yer 'ear me?"

His face flushed red with indignation at the sight presented to him, but
discipline was discipline, and already he had said too much. However,
before the sergeant of the guard could answer, a number of officers
emerged from a tent close by and faced the white youth and natives under
escort. There was a loud exclamation of surprise, and in a moment Dick
was gripping the hand of the Chief of the Staff, while close to him was
Jack Emmett, bronzed with the sun, eagerly waiting for his share in the
greeting.

"Bless my life! Dick Stapleton, reported as missing on the river!
Where on earth have you come from? And looking so wan and thin, too!"

"From Kumasi, sir. I was taken prisoner, and escaped two nights ago. I
brought these two Assims along with me. They had been tied up in the
forest to see how long they could live without food and water, I suppose
so that the enemy might have some augury of their fortunes. They know
the ground perfectly, sir. You asked for that information, and here it
is."

There was a commotion in the camp for more than an hour, and as the
night fell, and the men gathered about their huge log fires, every
tongue wagged on one story alone. But the noise was greatest where the
bluejackets had their quarters, for there reclined the crew of the
launch which had returned so disconsolately from their quest up the
river. As for Dick, he had been feted by the officers, and ever since
had been engaged with the members of the staff, to whom he gave all his
news of Kumasi, and drew sketches of the road leading to the town.

"You have our congratulations," said the Chief, as he rose to bid him
good night, "and I may say that you have done us inestimable service, so
much so that, though it is not the usual custom, and is, indeed, an
exceptional occurrence, we shall send your name home in our despatches.
And now for to-morrow, when we advance. You, with your two natives,
will be well in our front with the remaining scouts under Lord Gifford
and others. When you come to Kumasi you may find it necessary to fall
back on us for support."

"And if the Ashantis are in the same condition of panic, may I advance,
sir?" asked Dick, quietly. "I have every reason for asking the
question, for I know rou