CHAPTER LX. 



THE GUNS OF BURRISAUL. 



R. CARL GODKIN, the director, w.as not disappointed in his expectation- 

 of receiving a communication from his employers on his arrival at Port 

 Natal. In fact, he found several awaiting him, for his return had been de- 

 layed far beyond the period that had been anticipated. They knew he would be in 

 need of funds, and made sure that he did not lack in that essential respect. 



But he acquainted his friends with the contents of one letter, which interested 

 them beyond measure. Mr. Godkin was ordered to divide his forces, and, since 

 they wished to leave no room for discussion, they gave minute directions as to what 

 should be done. 



Mr. Godkin and Dick Brownell were to go to India and devote several months 

 to the capture of wild animals peculiar to that country, while Jack Harvey and Bob 

 Marshall were to find their way up the west coast of Africa to the Gaboon country, 

 where they were to do their utmost to buy or capture a couple of gorillas, the same 

 number of chimpanzees, and any other curiosities worth securing. They were told 

 to let no expense stand in the way of their success either in India or Western Africa. 



You would suppose that Dick Brownell would have been much disappointed in 

 finding himself shut out from the expedition on which he had set his heart, but I 

 am happy to say that it was otherwise. The taste that he had had of sickness and 

 the sufferings he had undergone from the African climate resulted in lessening his 

 enthusiasm for that country, and I have no doubt that he wrote me the truth when 

 he said that if he had been given his choice between Africa and India he would have 

 selected the latter. 



Since Bob Marshall was equally positive that he would have fixed upon Equatorial 

 Africa as the scene of his hunting experiences, I really think they were fortunate 

 enough to make the best possible arrangement all around. 



Inasmuch as Jack Harvey, who was also pleased with his appointed task, and 

 Bob were left to their own devices to reach their destination, they decided to take 

 ship to Cape Town, where they were confident they would not have to wait long 

 before finding passage to the western coast. 



With the good luck which seemed always to attend him, Mr. Godkin had no diffi- 

 culty in arranging for the transport of his animals to England. He was obliged to 

 spend several days in Port Natal, for which all were glad, since it deferred for a 

 short time the hour of separation that no one could not say would be final. 



It was on one of the pleasant evenings that our friends spent in each other's 

 company that they fell to discussing the countries which were their respective 

 destinations. 



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