gin' word about the jolliest old sister that ever----"

"That will do, Bones," she said, with dignity. "I can see that you don't
like me as I thought you did--what do you think, Mr. Sanders?"

Sanders smiled.

"I can hardly judge--you see," he added apologetically, "I'm a Wesleyan
too."

"Oh!" said Patricia, and fled in confusion.

Bones rose in silence, crossed to his chief and held out his hand.

"Brother," he said brokenly.

"What the devil are you doing?" snarled Sanders.

"Spoken like a true Christian, dear old Excellency and sir," murmured
Bones. "We'll bring her back to the fold."

He stepped nimbly to the door, and the serviette ring that Sanders threw
with unerring aim caught his angular shoulder as he vanished.

That same night Sanders had joyful news to impart. He came into the
Residency to find Bones engaged in mastering the art of embroidery under
the girl's tuition.

Sanders interrupted what promised to be a most artistic execution.

"Who says a joy-ride to the upper waters of the Isisi?"

Hamilton jumped up.

"Joy-ride?" he said, puzzled.

Sanders nodded.

"We leave to-morrow for the Lesser Isisi to settle a religious
palaver--Bucongo of the Lesser Isisi is getting a little too
enthusiastic a Christian, and Ahmet has been sending some queer reports.
I've been putting off the palaver for weeks, but Administration says it
has no objection to my making a picnic of duty--so we'll all go."

"Tri-umph!" said Hamilton. "Bones, leave your needlework and go overhaul
the stores."

Bones, kneeling on a chair, his elbows on the table, looked up.

"As jolly old Francis Drake said when the Spanish Armada----"

"To the stores, you insubordinate beggar!" commanded Hamilton, and Bones
made a hurried exit.

The accommodation of the _Zaire_ was limited, but there was the launch,
a light-draught boat which was seldom used except for tributary work.

"I could put Bones in charge of the _Wiggle_," he said, "but he'd be
pretty sure to smash her up. Miss Hamilton will have my cabin, and you
and I could take the two smaller cabins."

Bones, to whom it was put, leapt at the suggestion, brushing aside all
objections. They were answered before they were framed.

As for the girl, she was beside herself with joy.

"Will there be any fighting?" she asked breathlessly. "Shall we be
attacked?"

Sanders shook his head smilingly.

"All you have to do," said Bones confidently, "is to stick to me. Put
your