used by some of the hill tribes in India. The boy had attained
such dexterity in its use that he was able with his clay pellets
to bring down sitting birds, however small, with almost unerring
accuracy.

These he stuffed and mounted, arranging them with a taste and skill
which delighted the few visitors at his mother's cottage.

Frank was ready to join in a game of football or cricket when
wanted, and could hold his own in either. But he vastly preferred
to go out for long walks with his blowgun, his net, and his collecting
boxes. At home every moment not required for the preparation of
his lessons was spent in mounting and arranging his captures. He
was quite ready to follow the course his father proposed for him,
and to enter the army. Captain Hargate had been a very gallant
officer, and the despatches had spoken most highly of the bravery
with which he led his company into action in the fight in which he
lost his life. Therefore Mrs. Hargate hoped that Frank would have
little difficulty in obtaining a commission without purchase when
the time for his entering the army arrived.

Frank's desire for a military life was based chiefly upon the fact
that it would enable him to travel to many parts of the world, and
to indulge his taste for natural history to the fullest. He was
but ten years old when he left India with the regiment, but he had
still a vivid recollection of the lovely butterflies and bright
birds of that country.

His father had been at pains to teach him that a student of natural
history must be more than a mere collector, and that like other