Three months later the marriage took place from the house at Dulwich. Sir Ralph Gilmore came up for the ceremony, and the change that the three months had effected in him was extraordinary. He was the gayest of the party.

Among those present at the ceremony were also Will's two devoted friends, Dimchurch and Tom Stevens. The baronet was greatly pleased with their affection and pride in Will, and offered both good posts on the estate. So none of the comrades went to sea again.

The baronet gave into Will's hands the entire management of the estate and house, so his death, seven years later, made practically no difference to Will's position. Will took to country pursuits, and became one of the most popular landlords in Somersetshire, while his wife was quite one of the most popular ladies in the county. Her father, up to the time of his death, spent most of his time down there, and they used the house at Dulwich as their abode when they stayed in London during the season. Mrs.

Archer came more than once to stay with them, as their most honoured guest. Stevens and Dimchurch both married. The former became head-gamekeeper on the estate, a post in which he showed great talent. The latter took a small cottage with a bit of land just outside the park gates, for he was able to live very comfortably on the interest of his prize-money. He had no children of his own, and his great pleasure was to wander about with Will's, telling them of their father's adventures in the great war.

It was not till well on in the sixties that Sir William Gilmore, captain, R.N., departed this life, a few weeks after the death of his wife, leaving behind him a large family to carry on the old name.

THE END

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Blackie & Son's Ill.u.s.trated Story Books

_HISTORICAL TALES BY_

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With the Allies to Pekin: A story of the Relief of the Legations.

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On the outbreak of the Boxer movement Rex Bateman, by a daring stratagem, rescues some relatives from an outlying village, and conducts them into Pekin. Then he makes his way down to Tien-tsin and joins Admiral Seymour's column. When the advance of this force is checked he pushes on alone to the capital, where his courage and ready invention are invaluable to the defenders. On the declaration of an armistice, however, he again succeeds in eluding the Boxer bands, goes through the storming of Tien-tsin, and marches with the allied army to Pekin.

"The hero contrives and performs all kinds of exciting undertakings, and a clever story is woven into an accurate account of the various expeditions."-_School Guardian_.

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Through Three Campaigns: A Story of Chitral, the Tirah, and Ashanti.

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The hero of this story, the son of an officer, joins the Chitral expedition secretly as a private soldier, but the enormous difficulties which have to be overcome in the course of the march soon call forth his n.o.ble qualities, and before the end of the campaign he qualifies for a commission. His subsequent career is a series of brilliant successes. He takes part in the storming of the Dargai heights, is more than once captured by the enemy, and by a heroic sacrifice wins the V.C.

"Every true boy will enjoy this story of plucky adventure."-_Educational News_.

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For the Temple: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. Ill.u.s.trated by SOLOMON J.

SOLOMON, A.R.A. With a Map. 3_s._ 6_d._

Mr. Henty weaves into the record of Josephus an admirable and attractive plot. The troubles in the district of Tiberias, the marches of the legions, the sieges of Jotapata, of Gamala, and of Jerusalem, form an impressive historic setting to the figure of the lad who pa.s.ses from the vineyard to the service of Josephus, becomes the leader of a guerrilla band of patriots, fights bravely for the Temple, and after a brief term of slavery at Alexandria returns to his Galilean home with the favour of t.i.tus.

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-With Kitchener in the Soudan: A Tale of Atbara and Omdurman. With 10 Ill.u.s.trations by W. RAINEY, R.I., and 3 Maps. 6_s._

In carrying out various special missions with which he is entrusted the hero displays so much dash and enterprise that he soon attains an exceptionally high rank for his age. In all the operations he takes a distinguished part, and adventure follows so close on adventure that the end of the story is reached all too soon.

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The hero joins the British Legion, which was raised by Sir de Lacy Evans to support the cause of Queen Christina and the Infant Queen Isabella, and as soon as he sets foot on Spanish soil his adventures begin. Arthur is one of Mr. Henty's most brilliant heroes, and the tale of his experiences is thrilling and breathless from first to last.

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The heroes of this powerful story go to Peru to look for the treasure which the Incas hid when the Spaniards invaded the country. Their task is both arduous and dangerous, but though they are often disappointed, their courage and perseverance are at last amply rewarded.

"The interest never flags for one moment, and the story is told with vigour."-_World_.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE LATE G. A. HENTY]

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From WITH THE ALLIES TO PEKIN_ BY G. A. HENTY (See page 1)]

With Roberts to Pretoria: A Tale of the South African War. With 12 Ill.u.s.trations by WILLIAM RAINEY, R.I., and a Map. 6_s._

The hero takes part in the series of battles that end in the disaster at Magersfontein, is captured and imprisoned in the race-course at Pretoria, but escapes in time to fight at Paardeberg and march with the victorious army to Bloemfontein. He rides with Colonel Mahon's column to the relief of Mafeking, and accomplishes the return journey with such despatch as to be able to join in the triumphant advance to Pretoria.

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The hero casts in his lot with the Percys, and becomes esquire to Sir Henry, the gallant Hotspur. He is sent on several dangerous and important missions in which he acquits himself with great valour.

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