"I am sick and weak in body, and it may be that I will soon die. Yet I beg of you to do what you can for me. If I die, I trust you to be a father to my dear boys, Dick, Tom, and Sam, and ask Martha for me to be a mother to them.
"The king expects soon to remove to another camp at a place called Rhunda Konoka (the Water Well). Perhaps he will take me along, or else he may slay me.
"All those who were with me are dead excepting several natives who have joined the Burnwo tribe.
"Good-by, and do what you can until you are certain that I am dead.
"Your loving brother,
"ANDERSON ROVER"
When Randolph Rover ceased reading he saw that there were tears in the eyes of all of the boys, and that his wife was also crying. His own voice had had to be cleared continually. To all the letter was like a message from the grave.
"And that is all?" questioned Dick, breaking the silence.
"That is all, my boy—and the letter was written about a year ago!"
"But we'll go in search of him!" put in Tom, quickly. "He may be alive yet."