PUTTING OUT FIRE A Brevet-Colonelcy was conferred upon Baden-Powell for his work on the Gold Coast,--he was then eight-and-thirty,--and in the same year he was back at regimental work in Ireland.

Hardworking as ever, and keen on making his men practical soldiers, B.-P.

was settling down to what is called the dull part of soldiering when the gods, in the shape of the heads of the War Office, again interfered with the even tenor of his way.

A telegram from Sir Frederick Carrington arrived at Belfast towards the end of April telling our hero that there was to be fighting in Matabeleland, and that there would be room for him on the staff.

B.-P.