No upheaval of Nature could have created greater amazement, combined with a good deal of admiration and some dismay, than this sensational news.

The dismay, indeed, increased as the facts were more fully examined.

Nearly all the officers of the corps held Imperial commissions, and one heard perfect strangers asking each other how these officers could justify their action of entering a friendly territory, armed to the teeth; while the fact of Dr.Jameson himself being at their head heightened the intense interest.

I did not know that gentleman then, but I must say he occupied in the hearts of the people at Kimberley, and, indeed, of the whole country, quite a unique position.
It was in the diamond-fields he had worked as a young doctor, usurping gradually almost the entire medical practice by his great skill as well as by his charm of manner.

Then, as Mr.Rhodes's nominee, he had dramatically abandoned medicine and surgery, and had gone to the great unknown Northern Territory almost at a moment's notice.