y, Jack," said Dick, "what faithful true fellows they are. They'll
never leave us in a time of trouble."

"No, that they won't," cried Jack; and just then a tall, stern, sunburnt
man, with grizzled hair and saddened eyes, came up to where they stood.
Laying his hand affectionately on the shoulder of Dick,--

"Come, my boys," he said, "dinner is ready. Let's be punctual while we
are leading a civilised life."

"And afterwards, father, as punctual a life as we can," said Dick,
smiling.

"Hurray!" cried Jack, giving his cap a wave in the air. "Only another
week, and then, father--"

"Yes," said Mr Rogers, with a quiet, sad look, "then, my boy, good-bye
to civilisation."

"Only for a time, father," said Dick, quietly.

"Till you win health and strength, my boy," said Mr Rogers, with an
affectionate glance.

"And that we'll soon find," cried Jack; "for we are off to the wilds."

CHAPTER TWO.

WHY THEY WENT AWAY.

It was about two years before this that Mr Edward Rogers, a gentleman
holding a post of importance in the City of London, had purchased some
land and come out to dwell in Natal. For physician after physician had
been consulted, seaside and health resort visited, but as the time
glided on the verdict of the doctors became more and more apparent as a
true saying, that unless Mrs Rogers was taken to a warmer climate her
days would be few.

Even if she were removed the doctors said that she could not recover;
but still her days might be prolonged. What was more, they strongly
advised such a course in favour of young Richard, who was weak and
delicate to a degree.

"Then you really consider it necessary?" said Mr Rogers to the great
physician who had been called in.

"I do indeed. As I have said, it will prolong your wife's days, and
most probably it will turn that delicate, sickly boy into a strong man."

On being asked further what country he would recommend, he promptly
replied,--

"South Africa."

"Natal is the place," he continued. "There you have the Drakensberg,
and you can choose your own elevation, so as to get a pure, temperate
climate, free from the cold of the mountains and the heat of the
plains."

Mr Rogers was a man of prompt action, for the health of those dear to
him was his first consideration. The consequence was that after rapidly
making his arrangements, and providing the necessaries for his new home,
he took passage to Durban, arrived there in safety with his wif