How the boys traced the real wreckers and assisted in their capture; how they took part in thrilling sea scenes, and helped make films for the theatrical company, I have set down fully in the book. Then came the big storm, the wreck of the ship and the saving of the crew. Mr. Duncan was among them, and on the beach his son found him. The two were happy, and Mr. Duncan told of his long search for his children. He had given up hope of ever finding Joe, and was on his way to China to recover his daughter, of whom he had unexpectedly gotten trace, when he was wrecked. Then, after his rescue, he and Joe and Blake decided they would make a further attempt to reach the Flowery Kingdom. Just a word about the theatrical company. There were the usual number of characters, but the one who caused the most amusement was Mr. Christopher Cutler Piper, who was variously called “C. C.,” or “Gloomy.” The reason for the latter nickname was that he was always predicting direful happenings which never came to pass, or was always looking on the dark side of things. And this in spite of the fact that he was supposed to be the comedian of the company, when not filling other rôles. The reason he was called C. C. was because he did not like the name Christopher Cutler. He said the boys used to call him “Christopher Custard,” so he used his initials only, and asked others to do the same. He was a source of much amusement to his friends, including the boys. “And so we are to go to Africa instead of China,” remarked Blake, when he and his chum, with Mr. Duncan, had reached the boarding house. “So it seems,” spoke Joe. “Just in what part of Africa is Jessie, Dad? Jove! how queer it seems to be using her name just as if I had known her all my life, when, as a matter of fact, I can’t remember her.” “Why, as nearly as the society in New York can tell,” answered Mr. Duncan, “she is with a Mr. and Mrs. Brown, at a missionary station somewhere near Entebbe, on the upper Victoria Nyanza. It’s in the jungle, far from a white settlement. My poor little girl!” “Don’t worry, Dad! We’ll find her!” exclaimed Joe. “Of course we will!” said Blake, with a confidence he did not altogether feel. “I wish we were there now. I’ve always wanted to go to Africa.” “We’ll have to start from New York,” said Mr. Duncan, who had been looking at maps and steamer routes. “And the sooner we get there the better.” “We might as well travel with the theatrical crowd,” suggested Blake. “They’ll soon be leaving, and we’ll have company. Besides, Mr. Ringold might decide to get some jungle dramas, and we could film them.” But the theatrical manager had no such intention. “I’m going to run a series of city dramas,” he said, when the boys told him the news. “Of course, I’d like to have you make the pictures for me, but if you are going to Africa you can’t. However, Mr. Hadley will do it, and when you come back I may have a new commission for you. I wish you all sorts of luck.”