to their families.

The Englishmen in Africa went even further, saying that

these poor blacks were held in virtual slavery, since after

their terms of enlistment expired their ignorance was imposed

upon by their white officers, and they were told that they had

yet several years to serve.

And so the Colonial Office appointed John Clayton to a new

post in British West Africa, but his confidential instructions

centered on a thorough investigation of the unfair treatment

of black British subjects by the officers of a friendly

European power. Why he was sent, is, however, of little moment

to this story, for he never made an investigation, nor,

in fact, did he ever reach his destination.

Clayton was the type of Englishman that one likes best to

associate with the noblest monuments of historic achievement

upon a thousand victorious battlefields--a strong, virile man

--mentally, morally, and physically.

In stature he was above the average height; his eyes were

gray, his features regular and strong; his carriage that of

perfect, robust health influenced by his years of army training.

Political ambition had caused him to seek transference

from the army to the Colonial Office and so we find him, still

young, entrusted with a delicate and important commission in

the service of the Queen.

When he received this appointment he was both elated and

appalled. The preferment seemed to him in the nature of a

well-merited reward for painstaking and intelligent service,

and as a stepping stone to posts of greater importance and

responsibility; but, on the other hand, he had been married to

the Hon. Alice Rutherford for scarce a three months, and it

was the thought of taking this fair young girl into the dangers

and isolation of tropical Africa that appalled him.

For her sake he would have refused the appointment, but she

would not have it so. Instead she insisted that he accept,

and, indeed, take her with him.

There were mothers and brothers and sisters, and aunts