It is well-nigh incredible at first thought that such a light-hearted, rollicking, jovial fellow could have given up everything for such a work as that!

He had plenty of money, hosts of friends, wife, children, any amount of useful work to do at home,—­everything, in fact, that can make life worth living.

What could possibly make such a man as that go into the wilds of Africa to be tormented, tortured, and slain by savages?

I will try and show briefly how it came about.

At school Hannington was the veriest pickle, and was nicknamed “Mad
Jim”.

On one occasion he lit a bonfire in his dormitory, he pelted the German master with rejected examination papers, and in a single day was caned over a dozen times.  Yet he fought the bullies, and kept his word; he was brave, honest and manly, and was a great favourite.

When about fifteen years old he was put into his father’s business at Brighton.  His life there was certainly not hard or trying.  He was allowed to travel a great deal, and thus went over a considerable part of Europe, enjoying himself immensely when so doing.  Still, he had no taste for the counting-house; and after six years gave it up to become a clergyman, and forthwith proceeded to Oxford.

Both at Oxford and at Martinhoe, in North Devon, where he spent some time during the vacations, Hannington preserved his reputation for fun and love of adventure.  At Oxford he took part in practical jokes innumerable; at Martinhoe cliff-climbing and adventurous scrambles occupied some little of his time.

One day he went with two companions to explore a cave called “The Eyes”.  Adjoining this they discovered a narrow hole leading to a further cave, which was below high-water mark.  Into this with great exertion Jim managed to squeeze himself.  It was quite dark inside, and whilst he was describing it to his companions they suddenly noticed that the tide was fast coming in, and implored him to get out of his perilous position at once.

Easier said than done.  The difficulty he had found in getting in was a trifle compared with the passage out.  He tried head first, then feet first, and whilst his friends tugged he squeezed.  It was of no use.  The sea had almost reached him, and drowning seemed certain.

Then, quite hopeless of escape, he bade his companions good-bye.  All at once it occurred to him to try taking off his clothes.  This made just the difference required, and with a tremendous effort he got out of his prison-house in the very nick of time.

A little later comes an important entry in his diary:  “——­ opened a correspondence with me to-day, which I speak of as delightful; it led to my conversion”.

Thereafter followed a change in Hannington’s life—­he prayed more.

It seems that about this time a college friend began to think much of him, and to pray earnestly for him; and finally wrote to him a serious, simple, earnest letter, which had much effect on Hannington.