第19章

Theymadeafinemarchinthecool，untilsomeslightmistsgathered，andthentheyhaltedandbreakfastednearasilverykloof，andwateredthecattle。Whilethusemployed，suddenlyagoldentingeseemedtofalllikealashonthevaporsofnight；

theyscuddedawaydirectly，asjackalsbeforethelion；thestarspaled，andwithoneincrediblebound，themightysunleapedintothehorizon，androseintothesky。Inamomentallthelesserlampsofheavenwereout，thoughlatesoglorious，andtherewasnothingbutonevastvaultedturquoise，andagreatflamingtopazmountingwitheternalardortoitscentre。

ThisdidnotescapeChristopher。"Whatisthis?"saidhe。"Notwilight。Thetropics!"Hemanagedtodigthatwordoutofthepastinamoment。

Atteno\'clockthesunwassohotthattheyhalted，andlettheoxenloosetillsun-down。Thentheybegantoclimbthemountains。

Thewaywassteepandrugged；indeed，soroughinplaces，thatthecattlehadtojumpovertheholes，andasthewagoncouldnotjumpsocleverly，itjoltedappallingly，andmanyascreamissuedforth。

Nearthesummit，whenthepoorbeastsweredeadbeat，theygotintocloudsandstorms，andthewindrushedhowlingatthemthroughthenarrowpasswithsuchfuryitflattenedthehorses\'ears，andbadefairtosweepthewholecavalcadetotheplainsbelow。

ChristopherandDickwalkedclosebehind，undertheleeofthewagon。ChristophersaidinDick\'sear，"D\'yehearthat?Timetoreeftopsails，captain。"

"ItistimetodoSOMETHING，"saidDick。Hetookadvantageofajuttingrock，drewthewagonhalfbehinditandacrosstheroad，proppedthewheelswithstones，andtheyallhuddledtoleeward，manandbeastindiscriminately。

"Ah!"saidChristopher，approvingly；"wearelyingto:avery——

proper——course。"

Theyhuddledandshiveredthreehours，andthenthesunleapedintothesky，andlo!atransformationscene。Thecoldcloudswerefirstrosyfleeces，thengoldenones，thengold-dust，thengone；

therainwasbigdiamonds，thencrystalsparks，thengone；therocksandthebushessparkledwithgem-likedrops，andshoneandsmiled。

Theshiveringpartybustled，andtoastedthepotentluminaryinhotcoffee；forPhoebe\'swagonhadastoveandchimney；andthentheyyokedtheirmiscellaneouscattleagain，andbreastedthehill。

Withmanyajump，andbump，andjolt，andscreamfrominside，theyreachedthesummit，andlookeddownonavastslope，floweringbutarid，aregionofgaudysterility。

Thedescentwasmoretremendousthantheascent，andPhoebegotout，andtoldChristophershewouldlievercrosstheoceantwicethanthisdreadfulmountainonce。

TheHottentotwiththereinswasnowbentlikeabowallthetime，keepingthecattlefromflowingdiverseoverprecipices，andtheKafirwithhiskambokwashere，andthere，andeverywhere，hiswhipflickinglikealancet，andcrackinglikeahorse-pistol，andthepairviedlikeApolloandPan，notwhichcouldsingsweetest，butswearloudest。Havingtheloftyhillforsomehoursbetweenthemandthesun，theybumped，andjolted，andstuckinmud-holes，andfloggedandsworethecattleoutofthemagain，tillatlasttheygottothebottom，whereranaturbidklooforstream。Itwasfordable，buttherecentrainshadlickedawaytheslope；sotheexistingbankwastwofeetabovethestream。Littlereckedthedemondriversortheparchedcattle；intheyplungedpromiscuously，withafloplikethunder，followedbyanawfulsplashing。Thewagonstuckfastinthemud，thehorsestiedthemselvesinaknot，androlledaboutinthestream，andtheoxendrankimperturbably。

"Oh，thesalt!thesalt!"screamedPhoebe，andtherocksre-echoedherlamentations。

Thewagonwasinextricable，thecattledoneup，thesavageslazy，sotheystayedforseveralhours。Christopherbotanized，butnotalone。PhoebedrewUcatellaapart，andexplainedtoherthatwhenamanisalittlewronginthehead，itmakesachildofhim:"So，"

saidshe，"youmustthinkheisyourchild，andneverlethimoutofyoursight。"

"Allright，"saidthesableJuno，whospokeEnglishridiculouslywell，andrappedoutidioms；especially"Comeon，"and"Allright。"

Aboutdusk，whatthedrivershadforeseen，thoughtheyhadnotthesensetoexplainit，tookplace；thekloofdwindledtoameregutter，andthewagonstuckhighanddry。PhoebewavedherhandkerchieftoUcatella。Ucatella，whohaddoggedChristopheraboutfourhourswithoutaword，nowtookhishand，andsaid，"Mychild，missywantsus；comeon；"andsoledhimunresistingly。

Thedrivers，flogginglikedevils，cursingliketroopers，andyellinglikehyenasgonemad，triedtogetthewagonoff；butitwasfastasarock。ThenDickandtheHottentotputtheirshoulderstoonewheel，andtriedtopriseitup，whiletheKafirENCOURAGEDthecattlewithhisthong。Observingthis，Christopherwentin，withhissablecustodianathisheels，andheavedattheotherembeddedwheel。Thewagonwaslifteddirectly，sothatthecattletuggeditout，andtheygotclear。Onexamination，thesalthadjustescaped。

SaysUcatellatoPhoebe，alittleostentatiously，"Mychildisstronganduseful；makelittlemissyagoodslave。"

"Aslave!Heavenforbid!"saidPhoebe。"He\'llbeafathertousall，oncehegetshisheadback；andIdothinkitiscoming——butveryslow。"

ThenextthreedaysofferedtheordinaryincidentsofAfricantravel，butnothingthatoperatedmuchonChristopher\'smind，whichisthetruepointofthisnarrative；andastherearemanyadmirablebooksofAfricantravel，itisthemoreproperIshouldconfinemyselftowhatmaybecalledtherelevantincidentsofthejourney。

OnthesixthdayfromCapeTown，theycameupwithalargewagonstuckinamud-hole。TherewasquiteapartyofBoers，Hottentots，Kafirs，roundit，armedwithwhips，shamboks，andoaths，lashingandcursingwithoutintermission，oranygoodeffect；andtherewerethewretchedbeastsstraininginvainattheirchokingyokes，moaningwithanguish，tremblingwithterror，theirpoormildeyesdilatedwithagonyandfear，andoften，whentheblowsofthecruelshambokscutopentheirbleedingflesh，theybellowedtoHeaventheirmiserableandvainprotestagainstthisdevil\'swork。

Thenthepastopeneditsstores，andlentChristopheraword。

"BARBARIANS!"heroared，andseizedagiganticKafirbythethroat，justashisshambokdescendedforthehundredthtime。Therewasamightystruggle，asoftwoTitans；dustflewroundthecombatantsinacloud；awhirlingofbigbodies，anddowntheybothwentwithanawfulthud，theSaxonuppermost，byNature\'slaw。

TheKafir\'scompanions，amazedatfirst，begantorolltheireyesanddrawaknifeortwo；butDickranforward，andsaid，"Don\'thurthim:heiswrongHERE。"

Thisrepresentationpacifiedthemmorereadilythanonemighthaveexpected。Dickaddedhastily，"We\'llgetyououtoftheholeOUR

way，andcryquits。"

Theproposalwasfavorablyreceived，andthenextminuteChristopherandUcatellaatonewheel，andDickandtheHottentotattheother，withnootherhelpthantwopointedironbarsboughtfortheirshepherds，hadeffectedwhatsixteenoxencouldnot。TodothisDickDalehadbaredhisarmtotheshoulder；itwasastalwartlimb，likehissister\'s，andhenowhelditoutallswollenandcorded，andslappeditwithhisotherhand。"Look\'eehere，youchaps，"saidhe:"theworstuseamancanputthattheretoistogocuttingoutapoorbeast\'sheartfornotdoingmorethanhecan。Youaregoodfellows，youKafirs；butIthinkyouhaveswornnevertoputyourshouldertoawheel。But，blessyourpoorsillyhearts，alittlestrengthputonattherightplaceisbetterthanadealatthewrong。"

"Youhearthat，youKafirchaps?"inquiredUcatella，alittlearrogantly——foraKafir。

TheKafirs，whohadstoodquitesilenttoimbibetheseremarks，bowedtheirheadswithallthedignityandpolitenessofRomansenators，Spanishgrandees，etc。；andoneofthepartyrepliedgravely，"Thewordsofthewhitemanarealwayswise。"

"Andhisarmblanked*strong，"saidChristopher\'slateopponent，fromwhosemind，however，allresentmenthadvanished。

*ItakethisveryusefulexpressionfromadelightfulvolumebyMr。Boyle。

ThusspaketheKafirs；yettothisdayneverhathamanofalltheirtribeputhisshouldertoawheel，sostrongiscustominSouthAfrica；probablyinallAfrica；sinceIrememberSt。Augustinfounditstrongerthanheliked，atCarthage。

UcatellawenttoPhoebe，andsaid，"Missy，mychildisgoodandbrave。"

"Botheryouandyourchild!"saidpoorPhoebe。"Tothinkofhisflyingatagiantlikethat，andyoulettingofhim。I\'mallofatremblefromheadtofoot:"andPhoeberelievedherselfwithacry。

"Oh，missy!"saidUcatella。

"There，nevermindme。Dogoandlookafteryourchild，andkeephimoutofmoremischief。IwishweweresafeatDale\'sKloof，I

do。"

Ucatellacomplied，andwentbotanizingwithDr。Staines；butthatgentleman，inthecourseofhisscientificresearchesintocamomileflowersandblastedheath，whichwereallthatlovelyregionafforded，suddenlysuccumbedandstretchedouthislimbs，andsaid，sleepily，"Good-night——U——cat——"andwasoffintothelandofNod。

Thewagon，which，bytheway，hadpassedthelargerbutslowervehicle，foundhimfastasleep，andUcatellastandingbyhimasordered，motionlessandgrand。

"Oh，dear!whatnow?"saidPhoebe:butbeingasensiblewoman，thoughinthehenandchickensline，shesaid，"\'Tisthefightingandtheexcitement。\'Twilldohimmoregoodthanharm，Ithink:"

andshehadhimbestowedinthewagon，andneverdisturbedhimnightnorday。Hesleptthirty-sixhoursatastretch；andwhenheawoke，shenoticedaslightchangeinhiseye。Helookedatherwithaninteresthehadnotshownbefore，andsaid，"Madam，Iknowyou。"

"ThankGodforthat，"saidPhoebe。

"Youkeptalittleshop，intheotherworld。"

Phoebeopenedhereyeswithsomelittlealarm。

"Youunderstand——theworldthatislockedup——forthepresent。"

"Well，sir，soIdid；andsoldyoumilkandbutter。Don\'tyoumind?"

"No——themilkandbutter——theyarelockedup。"

Thecountrybecamewilder，thesignsoflifemiserablysparse；

abouteverytwentymilesthefarmhouseorhutofadegenerateBoer，whosechildrenandslavespiggedtogether，andallranjostling，andthemistressscreamedinhershrillDutch，andtheHottentotsallchirpedtogether，andconfusionreignedforwantofmethod:

oftentheywentmiles，andsawnothingbutahutortwo，withanudeHottentoteatingflesh，burntalittle，butnotcooked，atthedoor；andthekloofsbecamedeeperandmoreturbid，andPhoebewasinanagonyabouthersalt，andChristopheradvisedhertobreakitinbiglumps，andhangitallaboutthewagoninsacks；andshedid，andUcatellasaidprofoundly，"Mychildiswise；"andtheybegantodrawnearhome，andPhoebetofidget；andshesaidtoChristopher，"Oh，dear!Ihopetheyareallaliveandwell:onceyouleavehome，youdon\'tknowwhatmayhavehappenedbythenyoucomeback。Onecomfort，I\'vegotSophy:sheisverydependable，andnobeauty，thankmystars。"

Thatnight，thelasttheyhadtotravel，wascloudy，forawonder，andtheygropedwithlanterns。

Ucatellaandherchildbroughtuptherear。Presentlytherewasalightpatteringbehindthem。Theswift-earedUcatellaclutchedChristopher\'sarm，andturninground，pointedback，witheyeballswhiteandrolling。Therewerefulladozenanimalsfollowingthem，whosebodiesseemedcolorlessasshadows，buttheireyeslittleballsofflaminglime-light。

"GUN!"saidChristie，andgavetheKafir\'sarmapinch。Sheflewtothecaravan；hewalkedbackwards，facingthefoe。Thewagonwashalted，andDickranbackwithtwoloadedrifles。InhishastehegaveonetoChristopher，andrepentedatleisure；butChristophertookit，andhandleditlikeanexperiencedperson，andsaid，withdelight，"VOLUNTEER。"Butwiththisthecautiousanimalshadvanishedlikebubbles。ButDicktoldChristophertheywouldbesuretocomeback；heorderedUcatellaintothewagon，andtoldhertowarnPhoebenottobefrightenedifgunsshouldbefired。ThissoothingmessagebroughtPhoebe\'swhitefaceoutbetweenthecurtains，andsheimploredthemtogetintothewagon，andnottemptProvidence。

"NottillIhavegottheeakarossofjackal\'sfur。"

"I\'llneverwearit!"saidPhoebeviolently，todiverthimfromhispurpose。

"Timewillshow，"saidDickdryly。"Thesevarmintareonandofflikeshadows，andascunningasOldNick。Wetwowillwalkonquiteunconcernedlike，andassoonaseverthevarmintareatourheelsyougiveustheoffice；andwe\'llpeppertheirfur——won\'twe，doctor?"

"We——will——pepper——theirfur，"saidChristopher，repeatingwhattohimwasalessonintheancientandvenerableEnglishtongue。

Sotheywalkedonexpectant；andbyandbythefour-footedshadowswithlargelime-lighteyescamestealingon；andPhoebeshrieked，andtheyvanishedbeforethemencoulddrawabeadonthem。

"Thou\'snouseatthiswork，Pheeb，"saidDick。"Shutthyeyes，andletushaveYuke。"

"Iss，master:hereIbe。"

"Youcanbleatlikealamb；forI\'veheardye。"

"Iss，master。Ibleatsbeautiful；"andsheshowedsnowyteethfromeartoear。

"Well，then，whenthevarmintareatourheels，drawinthywoollyhead，andbleatlikeayounglamb。Theywon\'tturnfromthat，I

know，thevagabonds。"

Mattersbeingthusprepared，theysaunteredon；butthejackalswereverywary。Theycamelikeshadows，sodeparted——agreatmanytimes:butatlastbeingre-enforced，theylessenedthedistance，andgotsoclose，thatUcatellawithdrewherhead，andbleatedfaintlyinsidethewagon。Thementurned，levellingtheirrifles，andfoundthetroopwithintwentyyardsofthem。Theywheeleddirectly:butthefourbarrelspouredtheirflame，fourloudreportsstartledthenight，andonejackallaydeadasastone，anotherlimpedbehindtheflyingcrowd，andonelaykicking。Hewassoondespatched，andbothcarcassesflungoverthepatientoxen；andgood-byjackalsfortherestofthatjourney。

Ucatella，withallaKafir\'sloveoffire-arms，clappedherhandswithdelight。"Mychildshootsloudandstrong，"saidshe。

"Ay，ay，"repliedPhoebe；"theyareallalike；whereverthere\'smen，lookforquarrellingandfiringoff。Wehadonlytositquietinthewagon。"

"Ay。"saidDick，"thecattleespecially——foritisthemthevarmintwereafter——andlet\'emeatmyHottentots。"

Atthispictureofthecattleinsidethewagon，andthejackalssuppingoncoldHottentotalongside，Phoebe，whohadnomorehumorthanacat，butaheartofgold，shutup，andturnedredwithconfusionatherfalseestimateoftherecenttransactioninfur。

Whenthesunrosetheyfoundthemselvesinatractsomewhatlessaridandinhuman；and，atlast，attheriseofagentleslope，theysaw，halfamilebeforethem，alargefarmhousepartlycladwithcreepers，andalittleplotofturf，thefruitofeternalwatering；

item，aflower-bed；item，snow-whitepalings；item，anairofcleanlinessandneatnessscarcelyknowntothosedirtydescendantsofcleanancestors，theBoers。Atsomedistanceaverylargedamglitteredinthesun，andatroopofsnow-whitesheepwerewateringatit。

"ENGLAND!"criedChristopher。

"Ay，sir，"saidPhoebe；"asnighasmancanmakeit。"Butsoonshebegantofret:"Oh，dear!wherearetheyall?Ifitwasme，I\'dbeatthedoorlookingout。Ah，theregoesYuketorousethemup。"

"Come，Pheeb，don\'tyoufidget，"saidDickkindly。"Why，thelazylotarescarceoutoftheirbedsbythistime。"

"Moreshamefor\'em。Iftheywereawayfromme，andcominghome，I

shouldbeatthedoordayANDnight，Iknow。Ah!"

Sheutteredascreamofdelight，forjustthen，outcameUcatella，withlittleTommyonhershoulder，anddancedalongtomeether。

Asshecameclose，sheraisedthechubbychildhighintheair，andhecrowed；andthensheloweredhimtohismother，whorushedathim，seized，anddevouredhimwithahundredinarticulatecriesofjoyandloveunspeakable。

"NATURE!"saidChristopherdogmatically，recognizinganoldacquaintance，andbookingitasonemoreconquestgainedoverthepast。Buttherewastoomuchexcitementoverthecherubtoattendtohim。Sohewatchedthewomangravely，andbegantomoralizewithallhismight。"This，"saidhe，"iswhatweusedtocallmaternallove；andallanimalshadit，andthatiswhythenoblesavagewentforhim。Itwasverygoodofyou，MissSavage，"saidthepoorsoulsententiously。

"Goodofher!"criedPhoebe。"Sheisallgoodness。Savage，findmeaDutchwomanlikeher!I\'llgiveheragoodcuddleforit；"andshetooktheKafirroundtheneck，andgaveheraheartykiss，andmadethelittleboykisshertoo。

Atthismomentoutcameacolliedog，huntingUcatellabyscentalone，whichprocesslandedhimheadlonginthegroup；hegaveloudbarksofrecognition，fawnedonPhoebeandDick，smeltpoorChristopher，gaveagrowlofsuspicion，andlurkedaboutsquinting，dissatisfied，andloweringhistail。

"Thouartwrong，lad，foronce，"saidDick；"forhe\'sanoldfriend，andagoodone。"

"Afterthedog，perhapssomeChristianwillcometowelcomeus，"

saidpoorPhoebe。

Obedienttothewish，outwalkedSophy，theEnglishnurse，ascraggywoman，withaverycockednoseandthin，pinchedlips，andanairofrespectabilityandpertnessmingled。Shedroppedashortcourtesy，shottheglanceofabasiliskatUcatella，andsaidstiffly，"Youarewelcomehome，ma\'am。"Thenshetookthelittleboyasonehavingauthority。NotthatPhoebewouldhavesurrenderedhim；butjustthenMr。Falconstrolledout，withacigarinhismouth，andPhoebe，withherheartinHERmouth，flewtomeethim。Therewasarapturousconjugalembrace，followedbymutualinquiries；andthewagondrewupatthedoor。Then，forthefirsttime，FalconobservedStaines，sawatoncehewasagentleman，andtouchedhishattohim，towhichChristopherrespondedinkind，andrememberedhehaddonesointhelocked-uppast。

Phoebeinstantlydrewherhusbandapartbythesleeve。"Whodoyouthinkthatis?You\'llneverguess。\'TisthegreatdoctorthatsavedDick\'slifeinEnglandwithcuttingofhisthroat。But，oh，mydear，heisnotthemanhewas。Heisafflicted。Outofhismindpartly。Well，wemustcurehim，andsquaretheaccountforDick。I\'maproudwomanatfindinghim，andbringinghimheretomakehimallrightagain，Icantellyou。Oh，Iamhappy，Iamhappy。LittledidIthinktobesohappyasIam。And，mydear，I

havebroughtyouawholesackfulofnewspapers，oldandnew。"

"Thatisagoodgirl。Buttellmealittlemoreabouthim。Whatishisname?"

"Christie。"

"Dr。Christie?"

"Nodoubt。Hewasn\'tanapothecary，orachemist，youmaybesure，butahighdoctor，andthecleveresteverwasoreverwillbe:andisn\'titsad，love，toseehimbroughtdownso?Myheartyearnsforthepoorman:andthenhiswife——thesweetest，loveliestcreatureyouever——oh!"Phoebestoppedveryshort，forsherememberedsomethingallofasudden；nordidsheeveragaingiveFalconachanceofknowingthatthewoman，whosepresencehadsodisturbedhim，wasthisveryDr。Christie\'swife。"Curious!"

thoughtshetoherself，"theworldtobesolarge，andyetsosmall:"thenaloud，"Theyareunpackingthewagon；come，dear。I

don\'tthinkIhaveforgottenanythingofyours。There\'scigars，andtobacco，andpowder，andshot，andbullets，andeverythingtomakeyoucomfortable，asmyduty\'tis；and——oh，butI\'mahappywoman。"

Hottentots，bigandlittle，clusteredaboutthewagon。Treasureaftertreasurewasdeliveredwithcriesofdelight；thedogsfoundoutitwasajoyfultime，andbarkedaboutthewheeledtreasury；

andtheplacedidnotquietdowntillsunset。

AplainbuttidylittleroomwasgiventoChristopher，andheslepttherelikeatop。Nextmorninghisnursecalledhimuptohelpherwaterthegrass。Sheledthewaywithatubonherheadandtwobucketsinit。Shetookhimtothedam；whenshegotthereshetookoutthebuckets，leftoneonthebank，andgavetheothertoChristie。Shethenwentdownthestepstillthewaterwasuptoherneck，andbadeChristiefillthetub。Hepouredeightbucketsfulin。Thenshecameslowlyout，straightasanarrow，balancingthistubfullonherhead。Thensheheldoutherhandsforthetwobuckets。Christiefilledthem，wondering，andgavethemtoher。Shetookthemliketoybuckets，andglidedslowlyhomewiththisenormousweight，andneverspilledadrop。Indeed，thewalkwasmoresmoothandnoblethanever，ifpossible。

Whenshereachedthehouse，shehailedaHottentot，anditcostthemanandChristopheragreateffortofstrengthtolowerhertubbetweenthem。

"Whatavertebralcolumnyoumusthave!"saidChristopher。

"Youmustnotspeakbadwords，mychild，"saidshe。"Now，youwaterthegrassandtheflowers。"Shegavehimawatering-pot，andwatchedhimmaternally；butdidnotputahandtoit。Sheevidentlyconsideredthispartofthebusinessaschild\'splay，andnotafitexerciseofherpowers。

Itwasonlybydrowningthatlittleoasistwiceadaythatthegrasswaskeptgreenandtheflowersalive。

Shefoundhimotherjobsincourseoftheday，andindeedhewasalwayshelpingsomebodyorother，andbecamequiteruddy，bronzed，andplumpofcheek，andworeastrangelookofhappiness，exceptattimeswhenhegotapart，andtriedtorecallthedistantpast。

Thenhewouldknithisbrow，andlookedperplexedandsad。

Theyweregettingquiteusedtohim，andhetothem，whenonedayhedidnotcomeintodinner。Phoebesentoutforhim；buttheycouldnotfindhim。

Thesunset。Phoebebecamegreatlyalarmed，andevenDickwasanxious。

Theyallturnedout，withgunsanddogs，andhuntedforhimbeneaththestars。

JustbeforedaybreakDickDalesawafiresparklebythesideofadistantthicket。Hewenttoit，andtherewasUcatellaseated，calmandgrandasantiquestatue，andChristopherlyingbyherside，withashawlthrownoverhim。AsDalecamehurriedlyup，sheputherfingertoherlips，andsaid，"Mychildsleeps。Donotwakehim。Whenhesleeps，hehuntsthepast，asColliehuntsthespringbok。"

"Here\'sago，"saidDick。Then，hearingachuckle，helookedup，andwasawareofacomicalappendagetothescene。Therehung，headdownwards，fromabranch，aKafirboy，whowas，infact，thebrotherofthestatelyUcatella，onlywentfurtherintoantiquityforhismodelsofdeportment；for，assheimitatedtheantiquemarbles，hereproducedthehabitsofthatepochwhenmanroosted，andwasarboreal。Wheelsomersaults，and，aboveall，swingingheaddownwardsfromabranch，werethesweetenersofhisexistence。

"Oh!YOUarethere，areyou?"saidDick。

"Iss，"saidUcatella。"Timgoodboy。Timfoundmychild。"

"Well，"saidDick，"hehaschosenaniceplace。Thisistheclumpthelastlioncameoutof，atleasttheysayso。Formypart，I

neversawanAfricanlion；Falconsaysthey\'vealltookship，andgonetoEngland。However，Ishallstayherewithmyrifletilldaybreak。\'TistemptingProvidencetoliedownontheskirtofawoodforLordknowswhattojumpoutonyeunawares。"

TimwassenthomeforHottentots，andChristopherwascarriedhome，stillsleeping，andlaidonhisownbed。

Heslepttwenty-fourhoursmore，and，whenhewasfairlyawake，asortofmistseemedtoclearawayinplaces，andherememberedthingsatrandom。Herememberedbeingatseaontheraftwiththedeadbody；thatpicturewasquitevividtohim。Heremembered，too，beinginthehospital，andmeetingPhoebe，andeverysucceedingincident；butasrespectedthemoredistantpast，hecouldnotrecallitbyanyeffortofhiswill。Hismindcouldonlygointothatremoterpastbymaterialstepping-stones；andwhatstepping-stoneshehadabouthimhereledhimbacktogeneralknowledge，butnottohisprivatehistory。

Inthisconditionhepuzzledthemallstrangelyatthefarm；hismindwasalternatelysoclearandsoobscure。HewouldchatwithPhoebe，andsometimesgiveheragoodpracticalhint；butthenextmoment，helplessforwantofmemory，thatgreatfacultywithoutwhichjudgmentcannotact，havingnomaterial。

Aftersomedaysofthis，hehadanothergreatsleep。Itbroughthimbackthedistantpastinchapters。Hiswedding-day。Hiswife\'sfaceanddressuponthatday。Hispartingwithher:hiswholevoyageout:but，strangetosay，itsweptawayone-halfofthatwhichhehadrecoveredathislastsleep，andhenolongerrememberedclearlyhowhecametobeatDale\'sKloof。

Thushismindmightbecomparedtooneclimbingaslipperyplace，whogainsafootortwo，thenslipsback；butonthewholegainsmorethanheloses。

HetookagreatlikingtoFalcon。Thatgentlemanhadtheartofpleasing，andthetactnevertooffend。

Falconaffectedtotreatthepoorsoul\'swantofmemoryasacommoninfirmity；pretendedhewashimselfveryoftentroubledinthesameway，andadvisedhimtoreadthenewspapers。"Mygoodwife，"saidhe，"hasbroughtmeawholefileoftheCapeGazette。I\'dreadthemifIwasyou。Thedeuceisinit，ifyoudon\'trakeupsomethingorother。"

Christopherthankedhimwarmlyforthis:hegotthepaperstohisownlittleroom，andhadalwaysoneortwoinhispocketforreading。Atfirsthefoundagoodmanyhardwordsthatpuzzledhim；andheborrowedapencilofPhoebe，andnotedthemdown。

Strangetosay，thewordsthatpuzzledhimwerealwayscommonwords，thathisunaccountablememoryhadforgotten:ahardword，hewassuretorememberthat。

OnedayhehadtoaskFalconthemeaningof"spendthrift。"Falcontoldhimbriefly。Hecouldhaveillustratedthewordbyastrikingexample；buthedidnot。Headded，inhispoliteway，"Nofellowcanunderstandallthewordsinanewspaper。Now，here\'sawordinmine——\'Anemometer；\'whothedeucecanunderstandsuchaword?"

"Oh，THATisacommonwordenough，"saidpoorChristopher。"Itmeansamachineformeasuringtheforceofthewind。"

"Oh，indeed，"saidFalcon；butdidnotbelieveawordofit。

OnesultrydayChristopherhadaviolentheadache，andcomplainedtoUcatella。ShetoldPhoebe，andtheyboundhisbrowswithawethandkerchief，andadvisedhimtokeepin-doors。Hesatdowninthecoolestpartofthehouse，andheldhisheadwithhishands，foritseemedasifitwouldexplodeintotwogreatfragments。

Allinamomenttheskywasovercastwithangryclouds，whirlingthiswayandthat。Hugedropsofhailpattereddown，andthenextminutecameatremendousflashoflightning，accompanied，ratherthanfollowed，byacrashofthundercloseovertheirheads。

Thiswastheopening。Downcameadelugeoutofcloudsthatlookedmountainsofpitch，andmadethedaynightbutforthefastandfuriousstrokesoflightningthatfiredtheair。Thescreamofwindandawfulpealsofthundercompletedthehorrorsofthescene。

Inthemidstofthis，bywhatagencyIknownomorethanscienceorasheepdoes，somethingwentoffinsideChristopher\'shead，likeapistol-shot。Hegaveasortofscream，anddashedoutintotheweather。

Phoebeheardhisscreamandhisflyingfootstep，andutteredanejaculationoffear。Thewholehouseholdwasalarmed，and，underothercircumstances，wouldhavefollowedhim；butyoucouldnotseetenyards。

Achillsenseofimpendingmisfortunesettledonthehouse。Phoebethrewherapronoverherhead，androckedinherchair。

Dickhimselflookedverygrave。

Ucatellawouldhavetriedtofollowhim；butDickforbadeher。

"\'Tisnouse，"saidhe。"Whenitclears，wethatbemenwillgoforhim。"

"PrayHeavenyoumayfindhimalive!"

"Idon\'tthinkbutwhatweshall。There\'snowherehecanfalldowntohurthimself，noryetdrownhimself，butourdam；andhehasnotgonethatway。But"——

"Butwhat?"

"Ifwedofindhim，wemusttakehimbacktoCapeTown，beforehedoeshimself，orsomeone，amischief。Why，Phoebe，don\'tyouseethemanhasgoneravingmad?"

CHAPTERXIX。

Theelectrifiedmanrushedoutintothestorm，buthescarcelyfeltitinhisbody；theeffectonhismindoverpoweredhail-stones。

Thelightningseemedtolightupthepast；themightyexplosionsofthunderseemedcannonstrokesknockingdownawall，andlettinginhiswholelife。

Sixhoursthestormraged，and，beforeitended，hehadrecoverednearlyhiswholepast，excepthisvoyagewithCaptainDodd——that，indeed，heneverrecovered——andthethingsthathappenedtohiminthehospitalbeforehemetPhoebeFalconandherbrother:andassoonashehadrecoveredhislostmemory，hisbodybegantoshiveratthehailandrain。Hetriedtofindhiswayhome，butmissedit；notsomuch，however，butthatherecovereditassoonasitbegantoclear，andjustastheywerecomingouttolookforhim，heappearedbeforethem，dripping，shivering，verypaleandworn，withthehandkerchiefstillabouthishead。

Atsightofhim，Dickslippedbacktohissister，andsaid，ratherroughly，"Therenow，youmayleaveoffcrying:heiscomehome；andto-morrowItakehimtoCapeTown。"

Christophercreptin，adismal，sinisterfigure。

"Oh，sir，"saidPhoebe，"wasthisadayforaChristiantobeoutin?Howcouldyougoandfrightenusso?"

"Forgiveme，madam，"saidChristopherhumbly；"Iwasnotmyself。"

"Thebestthingyoucandonowistogotobed，andletussendyouupsomethingwarm。"

"Youareverygood，"saidChristopher，andretiredwiththeairofonetoofullofgreatamazingthoughtstogossip。

Hesleptthirtyhoursatastretch，andthen，awakinginthedeadofnight，hesawthepastevenmoreclearandvivid；helightedhiscandleandbegantogropeintheCapeGazette。Astodates，henowrememberedwhenhehadsailedfromEngland，andalsofromMadeira。

Followingupthisclew，hefoundintheGazetteanoticethatH。M。

shipAmphitritehadbeenspokenofftheCape，andhadreportedthemelancholylossofapromisingphysicianandmanofscience，Dr。

Staines。

Theaccountsaideveryexertionhadbeenmadetosavehim，butinvain。

Stainesgroundhisteethwithrageatthis。"Everyexertion!thefalse-heartedcurs。Theyleftmetodrown，withoutonemanlyefforttosaveme。Cursethem，andcursealltheworld。"

Pursuinghisresearchesrapidly，hefoundamuchlongeraccountofaraftpickedupbyCaptainDodd，withawhitemanonitandadeadbody，thewhitemanhavingonhimaconsiderablesuminmoneyandjewels。

Thenanewanxietychilledhim。TherewasnotawordtoidentifyhimwithDr。Staines。TheideahadneveroccurredtotheeditoroftheCapeGazette。StilllesswoulditoccurtoanyoneinEngland。

Atthismomenthiswifemustbemourningforhim。"Poor——poorRosa!"

Butperhapsthefatalnewsmightnothavereachedher。

Thathopewasdashedawayassoonasfound。Why，thesewereallOLDNEWSPAPERS。Thatgentlemanlymanwhohadlentthemtohimhadsaidso。

Old!yettheycompletedtheyear1867。

Henowtorethroughthemforthedatesalone，andsoonfoundtheywentto1868。Yettheywereoldpapers。HehadsailedinMay，1867。

"MyGod!"hecried，inagony，"IHAVELOSTAYEAR。"

Thisthoughtcrushedhim。Byandbyhebegantocarrythisawfulideaintodetails。"MyRosahaswornmourningforme，andputitoffagain。Iamdeadtoher，andtoalltheworld。"

Heweptlongandbitterly。

Thosetearsclearedhisbrainstillmore。Forallthat，hewasnotyethimself；atleast，Idoubtit；hisinsanity，drivenfromtheintellect，fastenedonelingeringclawintohismoralnature，andhungonbyit。Hissoulfilledwithbitternessandadesiretoberevengedonmankindfortheirinjustice，andthisthoughtpossessedhimmorethanreason。

Hejoinedthefamilyatbreakfast；andneverawordallthetime。

Butwhenhegotuptogo，hesaid，inastrange，doggedway，asifitwentagainstthegrain，"Godblessthehousethatsuccorstheafflicted。"Thenhewentouttobroodalone。