第20章

"Dick，"saidPhoebe，"there\'sachange。I\'llneverpartwithhim:

andlook，there\'sColliefollowinghim，thatnevercouldabidehim。"

"Partwithhim?"saidReginald。"Ofcoursenot。Heisagentleman，andtheyarenotsocommoninAfrica。"

Dick，whohatedFalcon，ignoredthisspeechentirely，andsaid，"Well，Pheeb，youandColliearewiserthanIam。Takeyourownway，anddon\'tblamemeifanythinghappens。"

SoonChristopherpaidthepenaltyofreturningreason。Hesufferedallthepoignantagonyagreatheartcanendure。

Sothiswashisrewardforhisgreatactofself-denialinleavinghisbelovedwife。Hehadlosthispatient；hehadlosttheincomefromthatpatient；hiswifewasworseoffthanbefore，andhaddoubtlesssufferedtheanguishofalovingheartbereaved。Hismind，whichnowseemedmorevigorousthanever，afteritslongrest，placedherbeforehisveryeyes，pale，andwornwithgrief，inherwidow\'scap。

Atthepicture，hecriedliketherain。Hecouldgiveherjoy，bywriting；buthecouldnotpreventherfromsufferingawholeyearofmisery。

Turningthisoverinconnectionwiththeirpoverty，hisevilgeniuswhispered，"Bythistimeshehasreceivedthesixthousandpoundsforyourdeath。SHEwouldneverthinkofthat；butherfatherhas:

andthereishercomfortassured，inspiteofthecaitiffswholeftherhusbandtodrownlikeadog。

"IknowmyRosa，"hethought。"Shehasswooned——ah，mypoordarling——shehasraved——shehaswept，"hewepthimselfatthethought——"shehasmournedeveryindiscreetact，asifitwasacrime。ButsheHASdoneallthis。Hergoodandlovingbutshallownatureisnowatrestfromtheagoniesofbereavement，andnoughtremainsbutsadandtenderregrets。Shecanbetterendurethatthanpoverty:cursedpoverty，whichhasbroughtherandmetothis，andistheonlyrealevilintheworld，butbodilypain。"

Thencameastruggle，thatlastedawholeweek，andknittedhisbrows，andtookthecolorfromhischeek；butitendedinthetriumphofloveandhate，overconscienceandcommonsense。HisRosashouldnotbepoor；andhewouldcheatsomeofthosecontemptiblecreaturescalledmen，whohaddonehimnothingbutinjustice，andatlasthadsacrificedhislifelikearat\'s。

Whenthestrugglewasover，andthefatalresolutiontaken，thenhebecamecalmer，lesssolitary，andmoresociable。

Phoebe，whowassecretlywatchinghimwithawoman\'seye，observedthischangeinhim，and，withbenevolentintentions，invitedhimonedaytorideroundthefarmwithher。Heconsentedreadily。

Sheshowedhimthefieldsdevotedtomaizeandwheat，andthenthesheepfolds。Tim\'ssheepwereapparentlydeserted；buthewasdiscoveredswingingheaddownwardsfromthebranchofacamel-

thorn，andseeinghim，itdidstrikeonethatifhehadhadatailhewouldhavebeenswingingbythat。Phoebecalledtohim:heneveranswered，butsetoffrunningtoher，andlandedhimselfunderhernoseinawheelsomersault。

"Ihopeyouarewatchingthem，Tim，"saidhismistress。

"Iss，missy，alwayswashing\'em。"

"Why，there\'sonestrayingtowardsthewoodnow。"

"Henotgofar，"saidTimcoolly。Theyoungmonkeystoleoffalittleway，thenfellflat，andutteredthecryofajackal，withstartlingprecision。Backwentthesheeptohiscomradesposthaste，andTimeffectedasomersaultandachuckle。

"Youareacleverboy，"saidPhoebe。"Sothatishowyoumanagethem。"

"Datoneway，missy，"saidTim，notcaringtorevealallhisresourcesatonce。

ThenPhoeberodeon，andshowedChristophertheostrichpan。Itwasalargebasin，aformthesoiloftentakesintheseparts；andinitstruttedseveralfull-grownostrichesandtheiryoung，bredonthepremises。Therewasalittledamofwater，andplentyoffoodabout。TheywereherdedbyaKafirinfantofaboutsix，black，glossy，fat，andclean，beinginthewatersixtimesaday。

Sometimesoneoftheolderbirdswouldshowaninclinationtostrayoutofthepan。Thentheinfantrolledafterher，andtappedherankleswithawand。Sheinstantlycameback，butwithoutanylossofdignity，forshestruttedwithhernoseintheair，affectingcompletelytoignoretheinferiorlittleanimal，thatwasneverthelesscontrollinghermovements。"There\'safarce，"saidPhoebe。"Butyouwouldnotbelievethemoneytheycostme，northemoneytheybringmein。Grainwillnotsellhereforaquarteritsvalue:andwecan\'taffordtosendittoCapeTown，twentydaysandback；butfinery，thatsellseverywhere。Igathersixtypoundstheyearoffthosepoorfowls\'backs——clearprofit。"

Sheshowedhimthegranary，andtoldhimtherewasn\'tsuchanotherinAfrica。ThisfarmhadbelongedtooneoftheoldDutchsettlers，andthatbreedhadbeengoingdownthismanyayear。

"Yousee，sir，DickandIbeingEnglish，andnotdownrightinwantofmoney，wecan\'tbringourselvestosellgraintothemiddlemenfornothing，sowestoreit，hopingforbettertimes，thatmaybewillnevercome。NowI\'llshowyouhowthedamismade。"

Theyinspectedthedamallround。"Thisisourbestfriendofall，"saidshe。"Withoutthisthesunwouldturnusalltotinder，——crops，flowers，beasts，andfolk。"

"Oh，indeed，"saidStaines。"Thenitisapityyouhavenotbuiltitmorescientifically。Imusthavealookatthis。"

"Aydo，sir，andadviseusifyouseeanythingwrong。Buthark!itismilkingtime。Comeandseethat。"Sosheledthewaytosomesheds，andtheretheyfoundseveralcowsbeingmilked，eachbyalittlecalfandalittleHottentotatthesametime，andbothfightingandjostlingeachotherfortheudder。Nowandthenayoungcow，unusedtoincongruoustwins，wouldkickimpatientlyatbothanimalsandscatterthem。

"Thatistheirway，"saidPhoebe:"theyhavegotitintotheirsillyHottentotheadsaskyewon\'tyieldtheirmilkifthecalfistakenaway；anditisnousearguingwith\'em；theywillhavetheirownway；buttheyareverytrustyandhonest，poorthings。Wesoonfoundthatout。Whenwecameherefirstitwasinahiredwagon，andHottentotdrivers:sowhenwecametosettleImadereadyforabitofawrangle。ButmymaidSophy，thatisnursenow，andagreatdespiserofheathens，shesays，\'Don\'tyoutrouble；themnastyignorantblacksneverchargesmorethantheirdue。\'\'I

forgive\'em，\'saysI；\'Iwishallwhitefolkwasasnice。\'

However，Ididgivethematrifleover，forluck:andthentheygottogetherandchatteredsomethingnearthedoor，handinhand。\'La，Sophy，\'saysI，\'whatisupnow?\'Saysshe，\'Theyareblessingofus。Thingsiscometoaprettypass，forignorantMuslinmenheathentobeblessingChristianfolk。\'\'Well，\'saysI，\'itwon\'thurtusany。\'\'Idon\'tknow，\'saysshe。\'Idon\'twantthedevilprayedoverme。\'Soshecockedthatlongnoseofhersandfolloweditinadoors。"

Bythistimetheywerenearthehouse，andPhoebewasobligedtocometoherpostscript，forthesakeofwhich，believeme，shehadutteredeverysyllableofthisvariedchat。"Well，sir，"saidshe，affectingtoproceedwithoutanyconsiderablechangeoftopic，"andhowdoyoufindyourself?Haveyoudiscoveredthepast?"

"Ihave，madam。Iremembereveryleadingincidentofmylife。"

"Andhasitmadeyouhappier?"saidPhoebesoftly。

"No，"saidChristophergravely。"Memoryhasbroughtmemisery。"

"Ifearedasmuch；foryouhavelostyourfinecolor，andyoureyesarehollow，andlinesonyourpoorbrowthatwerenottherebefore。

Areyounotsorryyouhavediscoveredthepast?"

"No，Mrs。Falcon。Givemethesovereigngiftofreason，withallthetortureitcaninflict。IthankGodforreturningmemory，evenwiththemiseryitbrings。"

Phoebewassilentalongtime:thenshesaidinalow，gentlevoice，andwiththeindirectnessofatrulyfemininenature，"I

haveplentyofwriting-paperinthehouse；andthepostgoessouthto-morrow，suchas\'tis。"

Christopherstruggledwithhismisery，andtrembled。

Hewassilentalongtime。Thenhesaid，"No。ItisherinterestthatIshouldbedead。"

"Well，but，sir——takeathought。"

"Notawordmore，Iimploreyou。Iamthemostmiserablemanthateverbreathed。"Ashespoke，twobittertearsforcedtheirway。

Phoebecastalookofpityonhim，andsaidnomore；butsheshookherhead。Herplaincommonsenserevolted。

However，itdidnotfollowhewouldbeinthesamemindnextweek:

soshewasinexcellentspiritsatherprotege\'srecovery，andveryproudofhercure，andcelebratedtheeventwitharoaringsupper，includinganEnglishham，andabottleofportwine；and，tentoone，thatwasEnglishtoo。

DickDalelookedalittleincredulous，buthedidnotsparethehamanythemoreforthat。

Aftersupper，inapauseofconversation，StainesturnedtoDick，andsaid，ratherabruptly，"Supposethatdamofyoursweretoburstandemptyitscontents，woulditnotbeagreatmisfortunetoyou?"

"Misfortune，sir!Don\'ttalkofit。Why，itwouldruinus，beastandbody。"

"Well，itwillburst，ifitisnotlookedto。"

"Dale\'sKloofdamburst!thebiggestandstrongestforahundredmilesround。"

"Youdeceiveyourself。Itisnotscientificallybuilt，tobegin，andthereisacauseatworkthatwillinfalliblyburstit，ifnotlookedtointime。"

"Andwhatisthat，sir?"

"Thedamisfullofcrabs。"

"So\'tis；butwhatofthem?"

"Idetectedtwoofthemthathadperforatedthedykefromthewetsidetothedry，andwaterwastricklingthroughthechanneltheyhadmade。Now，formetocatchtwothathadcomerightthrough，theremustbeagreatmanyatworkhoneycombingyourdyke；thosechannels，oncemade，willbeenlargedbythepermeatingwater，andamerecupfulofwaterforcedintoadykebythegreatpressureofaheavycolumnhasanexpansivepowerquiteoutofproportiontothequantityforcedin。Colossaldykeshavebeenburstinthiswaywithdisastrouseffects。Indeed，itisonlyaquestionoftime，andIwouldnotguaranteeyourdyketwelvehours。Itisfull，too，withtheheavyrains。"

"Here\'sago!"saidDick，turningpale。"Well，ifitistoburst，itmust。"

"Whyso?Youcanmakeitsafeinafewhours。Youhavegotaclumsycontrivanceforlettingofftheexcessofwater:letusgoandrelievethedamatonceoftwofeetofwater。Thatwillmakeitsafeforadayortwo，andto-morrowwewillpuddleitafresh，anddemolishthosebusyexcavators。"

Hespokewithsuchauthorityandearnestness，thattheyallgotupfromtable；ahornwasblownthatsoonbroughttheHottentots，andtheyallproceededtothedam。Withinfinitedifficultytheyopenedthewastesluice，loweredthewatertwofeet，andsodrenchedthearidsoilthatinforty-eighthoursflowersunknownsprangup。

Nextmorning，underthedoctor\'sorders，alltheblackmenandboysweredivingwithlumpsofstiffclayandpuddlingtheendangeredwallwithathickwallofit。Thistookallthepeoplethewholeday。

Nextdaytheclaywallwascarriedtwofeethigher，andthenthedoctormadethemworkontheothersideandbuttressthedykewithsupportssoenormousasseemedextravaganttoDickandPhoebe；but，afterall，itwasaswelltobeonthesafeside，theythought:andsoontheyweresureofit，forthewholeworkwashardlyfinishedwhenthenewscameinthatthedykeofaneighboringBoer，tenmilesoff，hadexplodedlikeacannon，andemptieditselfinfiveminutes，drowningthefarm-yardandfloatingthefurniture，butleavingthemalltoperishofdrought；andindeedtheBoer\'scartcameeveryday，withemptybarrels，forsometime，tobegwateroftheDales。Ucatellaponderedallthis，andsaidherdoctorchildwaswise。

Thisbriefexcitementover，Staineswentbacktohisowngloomythoughts，andtheyscarcelysawhim，exceptatsupper-time。

Oneeveninghesurprisedthemallbyaskingiftheywouldaddtoalltheirkindnessbylendinghimahorse，andaspade，andafewpoundstogotothediamondfields。

DickDalelookedathissister。Shesaid，"Wehadratherlendthemyoutogohomewith，sir，ifyoumustleaveus；but，dearheart，I

washalfinhopes——DickandIweretalkingitoveronlyyesterday——

thatyouwouldgopartnerslikewithus；eversinceyousavedthedam。"

"Ihavetoolittletoofferforthat，Mrs。Falcon；and，besides，I

amdrivenintoacorner。Imustmakemoneyquickly，ornotatall:

thediamondsareonlythreehundredmilesoff:forheaven\'ssake，letmetrymyluck。"

Theytriedtodissuadehim，andtoldhimnotoneinfiftydidanygoodatit。

"Ay，butIshall，"saidhe。"Greatbadluckisfollowedbygreatgoodluck，andIfeelmyturniscome。NotthatIrelyonluck。

Anaccidentdirectedmyattentiontothediamondafewyearsago，andIreadanumberofprimeworksuponthesubjectthattoldmeofthingsnotknowntotheminers。Itisclear，fromtheCapejournals，thattheyarelookingfordiamondsintheriveronly。

Now，Iamsurethatisamistake。Diamonds，likegold，havetheirmatrix，anditiscomparativelyfewgemsthatgetwashedintotheriver。IamconfidentthatIshallfindthevolcanicmatrix，andperhapsmakemyfortuneinaweekortwo。"

Whenthedialoguetookthisturn，ReginaldFalcon\'scheekbegantoflush，andhiseyestoglitter。

Christophercontinued:"Youwhohavebefriendedmesowillnotturnback，Iamsure，whenIhavesuchachancebeforeme；andasforthesmallsumofmoneyIshallrequire，Iwillrepayyousomeday，evenif"——

"La，sir，don\'ttalkso。Ifyouputitthatway，why，thebesthorsewehave，andfiftypoundsingoodEnglishgold，theyareatyourserviceto-morrow。"

"Andpickandspadetoboot，"saidDick，"andadoublerifle，fortherearelions，andLordknowswhat，betweenthisandtheVaalriver。"

"Godblessyouboth!"saidChristopher。"Iwillstartto-morrow。"

"AndI\'llgowithyou，"saidReginaldFalcon。

CHAPTERXX。

"Heavenforbid!"saidPhoebe。"No，mydear，nomorediamondsforus。Weneverhadbutone，anditbroughtustrouble。"

"Nonsense，Phoebe，"repliedFalcon；"itwasnotthediamond\'sfault。YouknowIhaveoftenwantedtogothere，butyouobjected。

Yousaidyouwereafraidsomeevilwouldbefallme。ButnowSolomonhimselfisgoingtothemines，letushavenomoreofthatnonsense。Wewilltakeourriflesandourpistols。"

"There——there——riflesandpistols，"criedPhoebe；"thatshows。"

"Andwewillbethereinaweek；stayamonth，andhomewithourpocketsfullofdiamonds。"

"Andfindmedeadofabrokenheart。"

"Brokenfiddlestick!Wehavebeenpartedlongerthanthat，andyethereweareallright。"

"Ay，butthepitcherthatgoestoooftentothewellgetsbrokeatlast。No，Reginald，nowIhavetastedthreeyears\'happinessandpeaceofmind，IcannotgothroughwhatIusedinEngland。Oh，doctor!haveyouthehearttopartmanandwife，thathaveneverbeenadayfromeachotheralltheseyears?"

"Mrs。Falcon，IwouldnotdoitforallthediamondsinBrazil。

No，Mr。Falcon，IneedhardlysayhowcharmedIshouldbetohaveyourcompany:butthatisapleasureIshallcertainlydenymyself，afterwhatyourgoodwifehassaid。Iowehertoomuchtocauseherasinglepang。"

"Doctor，"saidthecharmingReginald，"youareagentlemanandsidewiththelady。Quiteright。Itaddstomyesteem，ifpossible。

Makeyourmindeasy；Iwillgoalone。Iamnotafarmer。Iamdeadsickofthismonotonouslife；and，sinceIamcompelledtospeakmymind，alittleashamed，asagentleman，oflivingonmywifeandherbrother，anddoingnothingformyself。SoIshallgototheVaalriver，andseealittlelife；herethere\'snothingbutvegetation——andnotmuchofthat。Notawordmore，Phoebe，ifyouplease。Iamagood，easy，affectionatehusband，butIamaman，andnotachildtobetiedtoawoman\'sapron-strings，howevermuchImayloveandrespecther。"

Dickputinhisword:"Sinceyouaresoindependent，youcanWALK

totheVaalriver。Ican\'tspareacoupleofhorses。"

Thishitthesybaritehard，andhecastabitterglanceofhatredathisbrother-in-law，andfellintoamoodysilence。

ButwhenhegotPhoebetohimself，hedescantedonherselfishness，Dick\'srudeness，andhisownwoundeddignity，tillhemadeherquiteanxiousheshouldhavehisownway。ShecametoStaines，withredeyes，andsaid，"Tellme，doctor，willtherebeanywomenupthere——totakecareofyou?"

"Notapetticoatintheplace，Ibelieve。Itisaveryroughlife；

andhowFalconcouldthinkofleavingyouandsweetlittleTommy，andthislifeofhealth，andpeace，andcomfort——"

"YetYOUdoleaveus，sir。"

"Iamthemostunfortunatemanupontheearth；Falconisoneofthehappiest。WouldIleavewifeandchildtogothere?Ahme!IamdeadtothoseIlove。Thisismyonechanceofseeingmydarlingagainformanyalongyearperhaps。Oh，ImustnotspeakofHER——

itunmansme。Mygood，kindfriend，I\'lltellyouwhattodo。

Whenweareallatsupper，letahorsebesaddledandleftintheyardforme。I\'llbidyouallgood-night，andI\'llputfiftymilesbetweenusbeforemorning。EventhenHEneednotbetoldIamgone；hewillnotfollowme。"

"Youareverygood，sir，"saidPhoebe；"butno。Toomuchhasbeensaid。Ican\'thavehimhumbledbymybrother，noranyone。HesaysIamselfish。PerhapsIam；thoughIneverwascalledso。I

can\'tbearheshouldthinkmeselfish。HeWILLgo，andsoletushavenoillbloodaboutit。Sinceheistogo，ofcourseI\'dmuchlieverheshouldgowithyouthanbyhimself。Youaresuretherearenowomenupthere——totakecareof——you——both?Youmustbepurse-bearer，sir，andlooktoeverypenny。Heistoogenerouswhenhehasgotmoneytospend。"

Inshort，Reginaldhadplayedsouponherheart，thatshenowurgedthejointexpedition，onlysheaskedadelayofadayortwotoequipthem，andsteelherselftotheseparation。

Stainesdidnotsharethosevaguefearsthatoverpoweredthewife，whosebitterexperienceswereunknowntohim；buthefeltuncomfortableathercondition——fornowshewasoftenintears——andhesaidallhecouldtocomforther；andhealsoadvisedherhowtoprofitbytheseterriblediamonds，inherway。Hepointedouttoherthatherfarmlayrightintheroadtothediamonds，yetthetrafficallshunnedher，passingtwentymilestothewestward。

Saidhe，"Youshouldprofitbyallyourresources。Youhavewood，agreatrarityinAfrica；orderaportableforge；runupabuildingwhereminerscansleep，anotherwheretheycanfeed；thegrainyouhavesowiselyrefusedtosell，grinditintoflour。"

"Dearheart!why，there\'sneitherwindnorwatertoturnamill。"

"Butthereareoxen。I\'llshowyouhowtomakeanox-mill。SendyourCapecartintoCapeTownforironlathes，forcoffeeandtea，andgroceriesbythehundredweight。Themomentyouareready——forsuccessdependsontheorderinwhichweact——thenpreparegreatboards，andplantthemtwentymilessouth。Writeorpaintonthem，verylarge，\'ThenearestwaytotheDiamondMines，throughDale\'sKloof，whereisexcellentaccommodationformanandbeast。Tea，coffee，home-madebread，freshbutter，etc。，etc。\'Dothis，andyouwillsoonleaveoffdecryingdiamonds。Thisisthesurewaytocointhem。Imyselftakethedoubtfulway；butIcan\'thelpit。I

amadeadman，andswiftgoodfortunewillgivemelife。Youcanaffordtogotheslowerroadandthesurer。"

Thenhedrewheramodelofanox-mill，andofaminer\'sdormitory，thepartitionssixfeetsixapart，sothattheseverypartitionsformedthebedstead，thebed-sackingbeinghookedtotheuprights。

Hedrewhismodelfortwentybedrooms。

Theportableforgeandtheox-millpleasedDickDalemost，butthepartitionedbedsteadscharmedPhoebe。Shesaid，"Oh，doctor，howcanoneman\'sheadholdsomanythings?Ifthere\'samanonearthIcantrustmyhusbandwith，\'tisyou。Butifthingsgocrossupthere，promisemeyouwillcomebackatonceandcastinyourlotwithus。Wehavegotmoneyandstock，andyouhavegotheadpiece；

wemightdoverywelltogether。Indeed，indeedwemight。Promiseme。Oh，do，please，promiseme!"

"Ipromiseyou。"

Andonthisunderstanding，StainesandFalconwereequippedwithrifles，pickaxe，shovels，waterproofs，andfullsaddle-bags，andstarted，withmanyshakingsofthehand，andmanytearsfromPhoebe，forthediamondwashings。

CHAPTERXXI。

Phoebe\'stearsatpartingmadeStainesfeeluncomfortable，andhesaidso。

"Pooh，pooh!"saidFalcon，"cryingfornothingdoesawomangood。"

Christopherstaredathim。

Falcon\'sspiritsroseastheyproceeded。Hewaslikeaboyletloosefromschool。Hisfluencyandcharmofmannerserved，however，tocheerasingularlydrearyjourney。

Thetravellerssoonenteredonavastandforbiddingregion，thatweariedtheeye；attheirfeetadull，rustycarpetofdriedgrassandwildcamomile，withpale-redsandpeepingthroughtheburntandscantyherbage。Onthelowmounds，thatlookedlikeheapsofsiftedashes，strugglednowandthenintosicklinessaragged，twistedshrub。Therewereflowerstoo，butsosparse，thattheysparkledvainlyinthecolorlesswaste，whichstretchedtothehorizon。Thefarmhousesweretwentymilesapart，andnineoutoftenofthemwerenewonesbuiltbytheBoerssincetheydegeneratedintowhitesavages:merehuts，withdomedkitchensbehindthem。Inthedwelling-housethewholefamilypiggedtogether，withrawfleshdryingontherafters，stinkingskinsinacorner，parasiticalverminofallsortsblackeningthefloor，andparticularlyasmall，biting，andodoriferoustortoise，comparedwithwhichtheinsectaLondonwasherwomanbringsintoyourhouseinherbasket，isastrokewithafeather——andallthiswithouttheexcuseofpenury；

formanyofthesewereshepherdkings，shearedfourthousandfleecesayear，andownedahundredhorsesandhornedcattle。

TheseBoersarecompelled，byunwrittenlaw，toreceivetravellersandwatertheircattle；butourtravellers，afteroneortwoexperiences，ceasedtotroublethem；for，addedtothedirt，themenweresullen，thewomenmoody，silent，brainless；thewholereceptionchurlish。Stainesdetectedinthemanuneasyconsciousnessthattheyhaddescended，inmorewaysthanone，fromacivilizedrace；andthesuperiorbearingofaEuropeanseemedtoremindthemwhattheyhadbeen，andmighthavebeen，andwerenot；

so，afteranattemptortwo，ouradventurersavoidedtheBoers，andtriedtheKafirs。Theyfoundthesavagessociallysuperior，thoughtheirmoralcharacterdoesnotrankhigh。

TheKafircabinstheyenteredwerecaves，lightedonlybythedoor，butdeliciouslycool，andquiteclean；thefloorsofpuddledclayorants\'nests，andveryclean。Onenteringthesecoolretreats，thefliesthathadtormentedthemshirkedthecoolgrot，andbuzzedofftothenearestfarmtobattenoncongenialfoulness。Onthefat，round，glossybabies，notaspeckofdirt，whereasthelittleBoerswerecakesthereof。TheKafirwouldmeetthematthedoor，hiscleanblackfaceallsmilesandwelcome。Thewomenandgrowngirlswouldflingaspotlesshandkerchiefovertheirshouldersinamoment，anddisplaytheirsnowyteeth，inunaffectedjoyatsightofanEnglishman。

Atoneofthesehuts，oneevening，theymetwithsomethingSt。Paulranksabovecleanlinesseven，viz。，Christianity。AneighboringlionhadjusteatenaHottentotfautedemieux；andthesegoodKafirswantedtheEuropeansnottogoonatnightandbeeatenfordessert。ButtheycouldnotspeakawordofEnglish，andpantomimicexpressionexistsintheoryalone。Invainthewomenheldourtravellersbythecoat-tails，andpointedtoadistantwood。InvainKafirperewentonall-foursandgrowledsore。Butatlastasavageyouthrantothekitchen——fortheynevercookinthehouse——andcamebackwithabrand，andsketched，onthewallofthehut，alionwithamanedowntotheground，andasaucereye，notloving。Thecreature\'spawrestedonahatandcoatandanotherfragmentortwoofaEuropean。Therestwasfore-

shortened，orelseeaten。

Thepicturecompleted，thefemaleslooked，approved，andraisedadismalhowl。

"Alionontheroad，"saidChristophergravely。

ThentheundauntedFalconseizedthecharcoal，anddrewanEnglishmaninatheatricalattitude，leftfootwellforward，firingagun，andalionrollingheadoverheelslikeabuckrabbit，andbloodsquirtingoutofaholeinhisperforatedcarcass。

Thesavagessaw，andexulted。Theyweresoofftheirguardastoconfoundrepresentationwithfact；theydancedroundthewhitewarrior，andlaunchedhimtovictory。

"Aha!"saidFalcon，"Itooktheshineoutoftheirlion，didn\'tI?"

"Youdid:andoncetherewasasculptorwhoshowedalionhismarblegroup，amantramplingalion，extractinghistongue，andsoon；butreportsaysitDIDNOTCONVINCETHELION。"

"Why，no；alionisnotanass。But，foryourcomfort，thereARE

nolionsinthispartoftheworld。Theyaremyths。TherewerelionsinAfrica。ButnowtheyareallattheZoo。AndIwishI

wastheretoo。"

"Inwhatcharacter——ofadiscontentedanimal——witheveryblessing?

Theywouldnottakeyouin；toocommoninEngland。Hallo!thisissomethingnew。Whatlotsofbushes!Weshouldnothavemuchchancewithalionhere。"

"ThereAREnolions:itisnottheZoo，"saidFalcon；buthespurredonfaster。

Thecountry，however，didnotchangeitsfeature；bushesandlittleacaciasprevailed，andpresentlydarkformsbegantoglideacrossatintervals。

Thetravellersheldtheirbreath，andpushedon；butatlasttheirhorsesflagged；sotheythoughtitbesttostopandlightafireandstandupontheirguard。

Theydidso，andFalconsatwithhisriflecocked，whileStainesboiledcoffee，andtheydrankit，andaftertwohours\'halt，pushedon；andatlastthebushesgotmorescattered，andtheywereonthedrearyplainagain。Falcondrewtherein，withasighofrelief，andtheywalkedtheirhorsessidebyside。

"Well，whathasbecomeofthelions?"saidFalconjauntily。Heturnedinhissaddle，andsawalargeanimalstealingbehindthemwithitsbellytotheveryearth，andeyeshotcoals；heutteredaneldrichscreech，firedbothbarrels，withnomoreaimthanababy，andspurredaway，yellinglikeademon。Theanimalfledanotherway，inequaltrepidationatthosetonguesofflameandloudreports，andChristopher\'shorserearedandplunged，anddepositedhimpromptlyonthesward；butheheldthebridle，mountedagain，androdeafterhiscompanion。Asternchaseisalongchase；andforthatorsomeotherreasonhecouldnevercatchhimagaintillsunrise。Beingcaught，heignoredthelioness，withcoolhauteur:

hesaidhehadriddenontofindcomfortablequarters:andcravedthanks。

Thiswasliterallytheonlyincidentworthrecordingthatthecompanionsmetwithinthreehundredmiles。

Onthesixthdayout，towardsafternoon，theyfoundbyinquiringtheywerenearthediamondwashings，andtheshortroutewaspointedoutbyanexceptionallycivilBoer。

ButChristopher\'seyehadlighteduponasortofchainofknolls，orlittleroundhills，devoidofvegetation，andhetoldFalconhewouldliketoinspectthese，beforegoingfarther。

"Oh，"saidtheBoer，"theyarenotonmyfarm，thankgoodness!theyareonmycousinBulteel\'s；"andhepointedtoalargewhitehouseaboutfourmilesdistant，andquiteofftheroad。Nevertheless，Stainesinsistedongoingtoit。Butfirsttheymadeuptooneoftheseknolls，andexaminedit；itwasaboutthirtyfeethigh，andnotavestigeofherbageonit；thesurfacewascomposedofsandandoflumpsofgraylimestoneveryhard，diversifiedwithlotsofquartz，mica，andotheroldformations。

Stainesgottothetopofitwithsomedifficulty，andexaminedthesurfaceallover。Hecamedownagain，andsaid，"Alltheselittlehillsmarkhotvolcanicaction——why，theyarelikeboilingearth-

bubbles——whichistheverything，undercertainconditions，toturncarbonateoflimeintodiamonds。Nowhereisplentyoflimestoneunnaturallyhard；andbeinginadiamondcountry，Icanfancynoplacemorelikelytobethematrixthantheseearth-bubbles。Letustetherthehorses，anduseourshovels。"

Theydidso；andfoundoneortwocommoncrystals，andsomejasper，andapieceofchalcedonyallinlittlebubbles，butnodiamond。

Falconsaiditwaswastingtime。

Justthentheproprietor，agigantic，pastycolonist，cameup，withhispipe，andstoodcalmlylookingon。Stainescamedown，andmadeasortofapology。Bulteelsmiledquietly，andaskedwhatharmtheycoulddohim，rakingthatrubbish。"Rakeitallavay，minevriends，"saidhe:"veshallthankyoumoch。"

Hetheninvitedthemlanguidlytohishouse。Theywentwithhim，andashevolunteerednomoreremarks，theyquestionedhim，andlearnedhisfatherhadbeenaHollander，andsohadhisvrow\'s。

Thisaccountedforthesizeandcomparativecleanlinessofhisplace。Itwasstuccoedwiththelimeofthecountryoutside，andwasfourtimesaslargeasthemiserablefarmhousesofthedegenerateBoers。Forallthis，thestreetdooropenedontheprincipalroom，andthatroomwaskitchenandparlor，onlyverylargeandwholesome。"But，Lord，"aspoordearPepysusedtoblurtout——"toseehowsomefolkunderstandcleanliness!"Thefloorwasmadeofpowderedants\'nests，andsmearedwithfreshcow-dungeveryday。YetthesepeoplewerethecleanestBoersinthecolony。

Thevrowmetthem，withasnow-whitecollarandcuffsofHamburghlinen，andthebratshadpastyfacesroundaspumpkins，butshonewithsoap。Thevrowwasalsopasty-faced，butgentle，andwelcomedthemwithasmile，languid，butunequivocal。

TheHottentotstooktheirhorses，asamatterofcourse。Theirgunswereputinacorner。Acleanclothwasspread，andtheysawtheyweretosupandsleepthere，thoughthewordsofinvitationwereneverspoken。

Atsupper，sun-driedflesh，cabbage，andasavorydishthetravellersreturnedtowithgusto。Stainesaskedwhatitwas:thevrowtoldhim——locusts。Theyhadstrippedhergarden，andfilledherveryrooms，andfalleninheapsunderherwalls；soshehadpressedthem，bythemillion，intocakes，hadsaltedthemlightly，andstoredthem，andtheywereexcellent，baked。

Aftersupper，theaccomplishedReginald，observingawireguitar，tuneditwithsomedifficulty，andsotwangedit，andsangdittiestoit，thattheflabbygiant\'spastyfaceworealookofdreamycontentoverhiseverlastingpipe；andinthemorning，afterasilentbreakfast，hesaid，"Minevriends，stayhereayearortwo，andrakeinminerubbish。Venyouaretired，herearespringbokandantelopes，andyoucanshootmityourrifles，andvevilcookthem，andyoushallzinguszongsofVaderland。"

Theythankedhimheartily，andsaidtheywouldstayafewdays，atallevents。

TheplacidBoerwenta-farming；andthepairshoulderedtheirpickandshovel，andworkedontheirheapallday，andfoundanumberofprettystones，butnodiamond。

"Come，"saidFalcon，"wemustgototheriver；"andStainesacquiesced。"Ibowtoexperience，"saidhe。

AtthethresholdtheyfoundtwoofthelittleBulteels，playingwithpiecesofquartz，crystal，etc。，onthedoor-stone。OneofthesestonescaughtStaines\'seyedirectly。Itsparkledinadifferentwayfromtheothers:heexaminedit:itwasthesizeofawhiteharicotbean，andonesideofitpolishedbyfriction。Helookedatit，andlooked，andsawthatitrefractedthelight。Hefeltconvinceditwasadiamond。

"Givetheboyapennyforit，"saidtheingeniousFalcon，onreceivingtheinformation。

"Oh!"saidStaines。"Takeadvantageofachild?"

Heborroweditoftheboy，andlaiditonthetable，aftersupper。

"Sir，"saidhe，"thisiswhatwewererakinginyourkopjesfor，andcouldnotfindit。ItbelongstolittleHans。Willyousellitus?Wearenotexperts，butwethinkitmaybeadiamond。Wewillrisktenpoundsonit。"

"Tenpounds!"saidthefarmer。"Nay，werobnottravellers，minevriend。"

"Butifitisadiamond，itisworthahundred。Seehowitgainsfireinthedusk。"