ully gallant action, lad. You did not tell us very
much about it yourself but, while you were getting the dye off, I
got hold of one of the traders here, who happened to be passing,
and who understood their language; and with his assistance I
questioned your fellow, and got all the particulars from him. I say
again, it was as plucky a thing as I have ever heard of."

A few minutes later an orderly came in with a note from the
general, asking the major and Captain Cooke also to dine with him
that evening. Stanley was very pleased that the two officers were
going with him, as it took away the feeling of shyness he felt, at
the thought of presenting himself in staff uniform at the
general's.

Sir Archibald Campbell put him at ease, at once, by the kindness
with which he received him. Stanley began to apologize for his
dress, but the general stopped him, at once.

"I intended, of course, that you should wear it, Mr. Brooke. I am
sure that you would not find a dress suit in the camp. However, we
will make matters all right, tomorrow. Judging from what you said
that, as you cannot join your uncle at present, you would be
willing to remain here, your name will appear in orders, tomorrow
morning, as being granted a commission in the 89th, pending the
arrival of confirmation from home; which of course, in such a case,
is a mere form. You will also appear in the orders as being
appointed my aide-de-camp, in place of Mr. Hitchcock, with extra
pay as interpreter.

"No, do not thank me. Having served as a volunteer, taken part in a
severe action, and having been wounded and imprisoned, you had
almost a right to a commission. After dinner, I hope that you will
give us all a full account of your adventures; it was but a very
slight sketch that I heard from you, this morning."

The general then introduced Stanley to the other members of his
staff.

"If you had seen him as I saw him, this morning," he said, with a
smile, "you certainly would not recognize him now. He was naked to
the waist, and had nothing on but the usual peasant attire of a
piece of black cloth, reaching to his knees. I knew, of course,
that the question of costume would soon be got over; but I own that
I did not think that I should be able to employ him, for some
little time. Not only was his stain a great deal darker than it is
now, but he was thickly tattooed up to the eyes, and one could
hardly be sending messages by an aide-de-camp so singular in
appear