"My name is Preston, sir," said Oscar. "Have I the honor to address Captain Sterling, the African hunter and explorer, and formerly of the East Indian army?"
The captain started as if Oscar had aimed a blow at him.
He looked hard at the boy for a moment or two, and said in a tone indicative of the greatest amazement and incredulity:
"Are you Oscar Preston, from America?"
"I am, sir," replied our hero.
"Did you send me some letters a little while ago?"
"I did, sir," answered the boy.
"And you have been ordered to go to—— Am I awake or dreaming?" exclaimed the captain, hastily undoing the heavy muffler that was wrapped about his face.
"I assure you that there is no mistake about it," said Oscar, who rather enjoyed the worthy captain's surprise. "I am sent here by the Yarmouth University, and have been ordered to go to Africa to procure specimens of natural history for its museum. I was instructed by some gentlemen in America, who are proud to call themselves your friends, to visit you, and I have done so in the hope that you would give me some assistance in the way of advice and information."