“That’s good. It’s nice not to be disappointed. But he seems to have a letter, Joe.” “That’s right; he has. I hope it’s from Jessie, though that can hardly be, as Dad only wrote to the missionary headquarters in New York to find out her exact location in China. But he sure has something,” and Joe looked closely at the man who was approaching, holding in his hand a bit of paper. At that moment Mr. Duncan looked up and saw his son and the latter’s chum. But he did not quicken his pace, though Joe broke into a run. “Hello, Dad!” he cried. “Any news?” “Yes--there--there’s some news, Joe,” was the answer. “That’s rather odd,” mused Blake. “He doesn’t speak as if it was good news. I wonder if anything could have happened?” The same thought must have come to Joe, for he hesitated a moment, and then, hastening on, was soon at his father’s side. “What’s the matter, Dad?” he exclaimed. “Is anything wrong? Isn’t Jessie in China? Is she--is she dead?” “No, Joe, not dead, as far as I can make out, but I have unexpected news just the same--news I don’t like!” and he looked at the letter in his hand. “What is it, Dad? Tell me!” urged his son. “Has anything happened to Jessie? Isn’t she in China?” “No, Joe, she isn’t.” “Where is she?” “Why, this letter from the missionary society says she changed her mind at the last minute, and instead of going to China went to the interior of Africa.” “To Africa!” cried Joe. “Yes, into the jungle; and Joe,” went on Mr. Duncan, with a tremor in his voice, “it’s in a locality where the natives are said to be none too friendly. Poor Jessie! My poor little girl!” and Mr. Duncan turned his face away. CHAPTER II ON TO NEW YORK Joe Duncan looked at his chum Blake Stewart in surprise. Neither knew what to say, and Mr. Duncan seemed so affected by the unexpected news that his son was seriously alarmed. But Joe was used to meeting emergencies. His work in taking moving pictures had put him in good trim for this. In a moment he had recovered his poise. “Gone to Africa; eh?” he exclaimed. “Well, I don’t know that Africa is much farther than China, Dad,” and he spoke cheerfully. “What do you mean, son?” “I mean that if Jessie has gone to Africa we’ll go there to get her!” “That’s it!” cried Blake. “The jungles of Africa can’t be much worse than the wild parts of China.” “But the natives!” exclaimed Mr. Duncan. “This letter says that the African tribes are on the verge of an uprising. If that had been known before Jessie started they would not have let her go. As it is, they have written to her, and the missionaries she is with--a man and his wife--to come back. But it will be some time before they get the letter, for they are far in the interior.” “Well, don’t worry, Dad,” advised Joe, cheerfully. “We’ll make out all right. We’ll soon start after her and get her away from those natives--if they chance to have her.” “Do you mean that?” cried Mr. Duncan.