The War of the Axe, published in 1887, is an adventure story for boys, set against the backdrop of the colonial wars in South Africa. It follows a group of passengers, including a small draft of volunteers and recruits for the Saint Helena regiment, who leave London on a voyage to the Cape of Good Hope in early summer 1844. The actual War of the Axe or Seventh Xhosa War (1846 - 1847) marked the beginning of the use of firearms by Xhosa armies, allowing them to win several victories over the colonial forces. It was also characterised by a falling out between the British imperial troops and their local allies, the Boers. John Percy Groves (1850 – 1916) wrote stirring adventure stories and information books for boys, all with a military theme, as well as military history, mostly about the Scottish regiments. Published by Blackie circa 1888. Good condition.  Green pictorial cloth boards. Frontispiece and two black and white illustrations. The frontispiece page is loose, but, otherwise, the binding is intact.