He had always intended Frank to enter the military profession, and had himself directed his education so long as he was at home.
The loss of his father had been a terrible blow for the boy, who had been his constant companion when off duty.

Captain Hargate had been devoted to field sports and was an excellent naturalist.

The latter taste Frank had inherited from him.

His father had brought home from India--where the regiment had been stationed until it returned for its turn of home service four years before he left New Zealand--a very large quantity of skins of birds which he had shot there.

These he had stuffed and mounted, and so dexterous was he at the work, so natural and artistic were the groups of birds, that he was enabled to add considerably to his income by sending these up to the shop of a London naturalist.