“Yes, the head of the missionary society writes that Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had much experience in Africa. They know the natives, and the latter trust them. Jessie went as a sort of assistant to Mrs. Brown, you know. I can’t imagine, though, why she should go into foreign work.” “Maybe she wanted to find you, Dad,” suggested Joe. “You know one reason I came out to film those crazy Indians was to have a chance to look you up. Maybe Jessie did the same thing.” “Perhaps,” admitted Mr. Duncan. “Well, I only hope she is all right. It will be some time before we can see her, even if we have good luck.” “What route are we going to take?” asked Blake, who was always interested in geography. “From New York,” spoke Mr. Duncan, consulting some memoranda he had made, “we take a German steamer for Naples, Italy.” “Italy!” cried Joe. “I thought we were going to Africa.” “We are,” said his father; “but unless you want to land on the West coast, and travel all the way across the continent, which is almost impossible, in order to get to the Victoria Nyanza, the practical route is by way of Naples, the Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and so out into the Indian Ocean. We will land at Mombasa, and after a trip on the Uganda Railroad we will strike into the interior.” “It’s a long trip,” sighed Joe. “Oh, we’ll soon make it,” spoke his father. “It’s better than going around by way of the Cape of Good Hope, and striking up through the Mozambique channel between Africa and Madagascar. It won’t take long, once we get to New York. But the journey in Africa, after we leave the railroad, may be tedious, and, I may as well add, not a little dangerous.” “Dangerous!” cried Joe. “Yes, from wild men and wild beasts. But I am going to take all the precautions I can. I am, as you know, boys, fairly well off now, and I can afford to hire something of an expedition to help us in this quest after Jessie. We will have a safari and----” “What’s a safari?” asked Blake. “It’s what they call an expedition in Africa,” explained Mr. Duncan. “It consists of porters and native policemen. It’s the only way to travel. Of course, we won’t have as large a one as certain well-known hunters have had, but we will do the best we can. I am bound to find my daughter if I spend my last cent!” “And we’re with you!” cried Blake. “You can have all my share of the business, Joe!” and he held out his hand to his chum. “Thanks, old man!” replied the other, and moisture came to his eyes. “It’s good of you, but I don’t want to take your share of the profits.” “Of course you will!” cried Blake. “Didn’t we make it together? And we’ll spend it together!” I might explain that the boys had done very well in their moving picture business, and the prize they won for the Indian films had given them a substantial bank account. Mr. Ringold also paid them well, and, though their expenses were heavy, they were fairly well off for boys.