第4章

Thecrunchingofthegravelandtherattleofthesentry’smusketatsaluterecalledhimtohishighofficeandtothedutiesofthemorning。Hewavedhishand，and，asthoughitwereawand，thesentrymovedagain，makinghiswaytothekitchen-garden，andsoaroundGovernmentHouseandbacktothelawn-tenniscourt，maintaininginhissolitarypilgrimagethedignityofherMajesty’srepresentative，aswellasherMajesty’spowerovertheWindlessIsles。

TheGovernorsmiledslightly，withtheeaseofmindofonewhofindsallthingsgood。Supremeauthority，surroundingsofendlessbeauty，therespectful，evenhumble，deferenceofhisinferiors，andneverevenanoccasionalvisitfromasuperior，hadinfouryearsloweredhimintoabedofeaseandself-

satisfaction。Hewascutofffromtheworld，andyetofit。

Eachmonththerecame，viaJamaica，thethreeweeks’oldcopyofTheWeeklyTimes;hesubscribedtoMudie’sColonialLibrary;

andfromtheStateshehadimportedanAmericanlawn-mower，themechanismofwhichnooneasyetunderstood。Withinhisownbordershehadcreatedahealthy，orderlyseaportoutofwhathadbeenasinkoffeverandarefugeforallthene’er-do-wellsandfugitiverevolutionistsofCentralAmerica。

Heknew，ashesateacheveningonhisveranda，lookingacrossthebay，thatintheworldbeyondthepinkandgoldsunsetmenwerestillpanting，struggling，andstarving;criseswererisingandpassing;strikesandpanics，warsandtherumorsofwars，sweptfromcontinenttocontinent;aplaguecreptthroughIndia;afilibusterwithfivehundredmenathisbackcrossedanimaginarylineandstirredtheworldfromCapeTowntoLondon;

Emperorswerecrowned;thegoodQueencelebratedthelongestreign;andacaptainofartilleryimprisonedinaswampyislandintheSouthAtlanticcausedtwohemispherestoclamorforhisrescue，andlitaracewarthatstretchedfromAlgierstotheboulevards。

Andyet，attheWindlessIsles，allthesehappeningsseemedtoSirCharleslikethemorning’smemoryofadream。Forthesethingsnevercrossedtheringofthecoralreefs;hesawthemonlyaspicturesinanillustratedpaperamonthold。Andhewaspleasedtofindthatthiswasso。Hewassufficienttohimself，withhisownresponsibilitiesandsocialdutiesandpublicworks。

Hewasamaninauthority，whosaidtoothers，"Come！"and"Go！"

Underhimwerecommissioners，andunderthecommissionersdistrictinspectorsandboardsofeducationandofhighways。Forthebetterhealthofthecolonyhehadplantedtreesthatsuckedthemalariafromtheair;foritsbettermoralshehadsubstitutedasaSundayamusementcricket-matchesforcock-

fights;andtokeepitatpeacehehadcreatedalocalconstabularyofnativenegroes，andhaddressedtheminthecast-

offuniformsofLondonpolicemen。Hishandiworkwaseverywhere，andhisinterestwasallsunkinhishandiwork。Thedayspassedgorgeouswithsunshine，thenightsbreathedwithbeauty。Itwasanexistenceofleisurelyoccupation，andonethatpromisednochange，andhewascontent。

AsitwasThursday，theCouncilmetthatmorning，andsomequestionsofmomenttothecolonyweretobebroughtupforconsideration。Thequestionofthedog-taxwasonewhichperplexedSirCharlesmostparticularly。ThetwoCouncillorselectedbythepeopleandthethreeappointedbythecrownhaddisagreedastothistax。OfthefivehundredBritishsubjectsattheseaport，allbuttenwereownersofdogs，andithadoccurredtoSassoon，thechemist，thatataxofhalf-a-crownayearoneachofthesedogswouldmeettheexpenseofextendingtheoyster-shellroadtothenewcricket-grounds。TothisSnellgrove，whoheldthecontractforthenarrow-gaugerailroad，agreed;butthethreecrownCouncillorsopposedthetaxvigorously，onthegroundthatasscavengersalonethedogswereaboontothecolonyandshouldbeencouraged。Thefactthateachofthesegentlemenownednotonlyone，butseveraldogsofhighpedigreemadetheirpositiononeofgreatdelicacy。

TherewasnowaybywhichtheGovernorcouldtestthepopularwillinthematter，exceptthroughhissecretary，Mr。Clarges，who，atthecricket-matchbetweenthelocalelevenandtheofficersandcrewofH。M。S。Partridge，hadbeeninformedbytheotherownersofseveralfox-terriersthat，intheiropinion，thetaxwasapieceof"condemnedtommy-rot。"FromthistheGovernorjudgedthatitwouldnotproveapopularmeasure。Ashepacedtheveranda，drawingdeliberatelyonhiscigar，andconsideringtowhichpartyheshouldgivetheweightofhisfinalsupport，histhoughtsweredisturbedbytheapproachofastranger，whoadvancedalongthegravelwalk，guardedoneithersidebyoneofthelocalconstabulary。Thestrangerwasyoungandofpoorappearance。Hisbarefeetwereboundinapairoftheropesandalswornbythenatives，hisclothingwasoftornandsoileddrill，andhefannedhisfacenonchalantlywithasombreroofbatteredandshapelessfelt。

SirCharleshaltedinhiswalk，andholdinghiscigarbehindhisback，addressedhimselftothesergeant。

"Avagrant？"heasked。

Thewordsseemedtobearsomeamusingsignificancetothestranger，forhisfacelitinstantlywithasweetandcharmingsmile，andwhileheturnedtohearthesergeant’sreply，heregardedhimwithakindlyandaffectionateinterest。

"Yes，yourExcellency。"

TheGovernorturnedtotheprisoner。

"Doyouknowthelawofthiscolonyregardingvagrants？"

"Idonot，"theyoungmananswered。Histonewaspolitelycurious，andsuggestedthathewouldliketobefurtherinformedastothelocalpeculiaritiesofaforeigncountry。

"Aftertwoweeks’residence，"theGovernorrecited，impressively，"allable-bodiedpersonswhowillnotworkareputtoworkordeported。Haveyoumadeanyefforttofindwork？"

Againtheyoungmansmiledcharmingly。Heshookhisheadandlaughed。"Ohdearno，"hesaid。

ThelaughstrucktheGovernorasimpertinent。

"Thenyoumustleavebythenextmail-steamer，ifyouhaveanymoneytopayyourpassage，or，ifyouhavenomoney，youmustgotoworkontheroads。Haveyouanymoney？"

"IfIhad，Iwouldn’t——beavagrant，"theyoungmananswered。

Hisvoicewaslowandsingularlysweet。Itseemedtosuittheindolenceofhisattitudeandthelazy，inconsequentsmile。"I

calledonourconsularagenthere，"hecontinued，leisurely，"towritealetterhomeformoney，buthewasdisgracefullydrunk，soIusedhisofficialnote-papertowritetotheStateDepartmentabouthim，instead。"

TheGovernor’sdeepestinterestwasaroused。TheAmericanconsularagentwasoneoftheseveresttrialshewasforcedtoendure。

"YouarenotaBritishsubject，then？Ah，Isee——and——er——yourrepresentativewasunabletoassistyou？"

"Hewasdrunk，"theyoungmanrepeated，placidly。"HehasbeendrunkeversinceIhavebeenhere，particularlyinthemornings。"

Hehalted，asthoughthesubjecthadlostinterestforhim，andgazedpleasantlyatthesunnybayandupatthemovingpalms。

"Then，"saidtheGovernor，asthoughhehadnotbeeninterrupted，"asyouhavenomeansofsupport，youwillhelpsupportthecolonyuntilyoucanearnmoneytoleaveit。Thatwilldo，sergeant。"

Theyoungmanplacedhishatuponhisheadandturnedtomoveaway，butatthefirststepheswayedsuddenlyandcaughtatthenegro’sshoulder，claspinghisotherhandacrosshiseyes。Thesergeantheldhimbythewaist，andlookedupattheGovernorwithsomeembarrassment。

"Theyounggentlemanhasnotbeenwell，SirCharles，"hesaid，apologetically。

Thestrangerstraightenedhimselfupandsmiledvaguely。

"I’mallright，"hemurmured。"Sun’stoohot。"

"Sitdown，"saidtheGovernor。

Heobservedthestrangermoreclosely。Henoticednowthatbeneaththetanhisfacewasdelicateandfinelycut，andthathisyellowhairclungcloselytoawell-formedhead。

"Heseemsfaint。Hashehadanythingtoeat？"askedtheGovernor。

Thesergeantgrinnedguiltily。"Yes，SirCharles;we’vebeenfeedinghimatthebarracks。It’sfever，sir。"

SirCharleswasnotunacquaintedwithfallengentlemen，"beach-

combers，""remittancemen，"andvagrantswhohadknownbetterdays，andtherehadbeensomethingwinninginthisvagrant’ssmile，and，moreover，hehadreportedthatthorninhisflesh，theconsularagent，totheproperauthorities。

Heconceivedaninterestinayoungmanwho，thoughwithnakedfeet，didnothesitatetocorrespondwithhisMinisterofForeignAffairs。

"Howlonghaveyoubeenill？"heasked。

Theyoungmanlookedupfromwherehehadsunkonthesteps，androusedhimselfwithashrug。"Itdoesn’tmatter，"hesaid。

"I’vehadatouchofChagreseversinceIwasontheIsthmus。I

wasatworkthereontherailroad。"

"DidyoucomeherefromColon？"

"No;IworkedupthePacificside。IwasclerkingwithRossnerBrothersatAmapalaforawhile，becauseIspeakalittleGerman，andthenIfooteditovertoPuertoCortezandgotajobwiththelotterypeople。Theygavemetwentydollarsamonthgoldforrollingthetickets，andIputitallinthedrawing，andwonasmuchasten。"Helaughed，andsittingerect，drewfromhispocketarollofthingreenpapers。"Theseareforthenextdrawing，"hesaid。"Havesome？"headded。Heheldthemtowardsthenegrosergeant，who，undertheeyeoftheGovernor，resisted，andthenspreadtheticketsonhiskneelikeahandatcards。"I

standtowinalotwiththese，"hesaid，withacheerfulsigh。

"Yousee，untilthelist’spublishedI’mprospectivelyworthtwentythousanddollars。And，"headded，"Ibreakstonesinthesun。"Heroseunsteadily，andsalutedtheGovernorwithanod。"Good-morning，sir，"hesaid，"andthankyou。"

"Wait，"SirCharlescommanded。Anewformofpunishmenthadsuggesteditself，inwhichjusticewastemperedwithmercy。"CanyouworkoneofyourAmericanlawn-mowers？"heasked。

Theyoungmanlaugheddelightedly。"Inevertried，"hesaid，"butI’veseenitdone。"

"Ifyou’vebeenill，itwouldbemurdertoputyouontheshellroad。"TheGovernor’sdignityrelaxedintoasmile。"Idon’tdesireinternationalcomplications，"hesaid。"Sergeant，takethis——him——tothekitchen，andtellCorporalMallontogivehimthatAmericanlawn-mowingmachine。Possiblyhemayunderstanditsmechanism。Mallononlycutsholesintheturfwithit。"Andhewavedhishandindismissal，andasthethreemenmovedawayheburiedhimselfagainintheperplexitiesofthedog-tax。

TenminuteslaterthedeliberationsoftheCouncilweredisturbedbyaloudandpersistentrattle，likethewhirofaMaximgun，whichproved，oninvestigation，toarisefromtheAmericanlawn-

mower。Thevagrantwaspropellingittriumphantlyacrossthelawn，andgazingdownatitwiththesamefondpridewithwhichanursemaidleansovertheperambulatortoobserveherlustyandgurglingcharge。

TheCouncillorshaddeparted，SirCharleswasthinkingofbreakfast，theMaxim-likelawn-mowerstillirritatedthesilenthushofmidday，whenfromthewatersoftheinnerharbortherecamesuddenlythesharpreportofasalutinggunandtherushoffallinganchor-chains。Therewasstillaweektopassbeforethemail-steamershouldarrive，andH。M。S。PartridgehaddepartedforNassau。Besidestheseships，noothervesselhadskirtedthebuoysofthebayineightlongsmilingmonths。Mr。

Clarges，thesecretary，withanefforttoappearcalm，andtheorderly，suffocatedwiththenews，enteredthroughseparatedoorsatthesameinstant。

Thesecretaryfiledhisreportfirst。"Ayacht’sjustanchoredinthebay，SirCharles，"hesaid。

Theorderly’sfacefell。Helookedaggrieved。"AnAmericanyacht，"hecorrected。

"AndmuchlargerthanthePartridge，"continuedthesecretary。

Theorderlytookahastyglancebackoverhisshoulder。"Shehasherlaunchloweredalready，sir，"hesaid。

Outsidethewhirofthelawn-mowercontinuedundisturbed。SirCharlesreachedforhismarine-glass，andthethreemenhurriedtotheveranda。

"Itlookslikeaman-of-war，"saidSirCharles。"No，"headded，adjustingthebinocular;"she’sayacht。ShefliestheNewYorkYachtClubpennant——nowshe’sshowingtheowner’sabsentpennant。

Hemusthaveleftinthelaunch。He’scomingashorenow。"

"Heseemsinabitofahurry，"growledMr。Clarges。

"ThoseAmericansalways——"murmuredSirCharlesfrombehindthebinocular。Hedidnotquiteknowthatheenjoyedthissuddenonslaughtupontheprivacyofhisharborandport。

Itwasinitselfannoying，andhewasfurtherannoyedtofindthatitcouldintheleastdegreedisturbhispoise。

Thelaunchwasgrowinginstantlylarger，likeanexpresstrainapproachingastationatfullspeed;herflagsflewoutasflataspiecesofpaintedtin;herbitsofbrass-workflashedlikefire。Alreadytheendsofthewharveswerewhitewithgroupsofnatives。

"Youmightthinkhewasgoingtoramthetown，"suggestedthesecretary。

"Oh，Isay，"heexclaimed，inremonstrance，"he’smakinginforyourprivatewharf。"

TheGovernorwasrearrangingthefocusoftheglasswithnervousfingers。"Ibelieve，"hesaid，"no——yes——uponmyword，thereare——thereareladiesinthatlaunch！"

"Ladies，sir！"Thesecretarythrewahastyglanceatthebinocular，butitwasinimmediateuse。

Theclatterofthelawn-mowerceasedsuddenly，andthereliefofitssilencecausedtheGovernortolowerhiseyes。Hesawthelawn-mowerlyingprostrateonthegrass。Thevagranthadvanished。

Therewasasharptinkleofbells，andthelaunchslippeduptothewharfandhaltedassoftlyasabicycle。Amaninayachting-suitjumpedfromher，andmakingsomelaughingspeechtothetwowomeninthestern，walkedbrisklyacrossthelawn，takingaletterfromhispocketashecame。SirCharlesawaitedhimgravely;theoccupantsofthelaunchhadseenhim，anditwastoolatetoretreat。

"SirCharlesGreville，Ibelieve，"saidtheyachtsman。Hebowed，andranlightlyupthesteps。"IamMr。RobertCollier，fromNewYork，"hesaid。"IhavealettertoyoufromyourambassadoratWashington。Ifyou’llpardonme，I’llpresentitinperson。I

hadmeanttoleaveit，butseeingyou——"Hepaused，andgavetheletterinhishandtoSirCharles，whowavedhimtowardshislibrary。

SirCharlesscowledattheletterthroughhismonocle，andthenshookhandswithhisvisitor。"Iamverygladtoseeyou，Mr。

Collier，"hesaid。"HesayshereyouarepreparingabookonourcoloniesintheWestIndies。"Hetappedtheletterwithhismonocle。"IamsureIshallbemosthappytoassistyouwithanyinformationinmypower。"

"Well，Iamwritingabook——yes，"Mr。Collierobserved，doubtfully，"butit’salogbook。ThistripIamonpleasurebent，andIalsowishtoconsultwithyouonapersonalmatter。

However，thatcanwait。"Heglancedoutofthewindowstowherethelaunchlayinthesun。"Mywifecameashorewithme，SirCharles，"hesaid，"sothatincasetherewasaLadyGreville，Mrs。Colliercouldcallonher，andwecouldaskifyouwouldwaiveetiquetteanddousthehonortodinewithusto-nightontheyacht——thatis，ifyouarenotengaged。"

SirCharlessmiled。"ThereisnoLadyGreville，"hesaid，"andI

personallydonotthinkIamengagedelsewhere。"Hepausedinthought，asthoughtomakequitesurehewasnot。"No，"headded，"Ihavenootherengagement。Iwillcomewithpleasure。"

SirCharlesroseandclappedhishandsfortheorderly。

"Possiblytheladieswillcomeuptotheveranda？"heasked。"I

cannotallowthemtoremainattheendofmywharf。"Heturned，andgavedirectionstotheorderlytobringlimesandbottlesofsodaandice，andledthewayacrossthelawn。

Mrs。CollierandherfriendhadnotexploredthegroundsofGovernmentHouseforovertenminutesbeforeSirCharlesfeltthatmanyyearsagohehadpersonallyarrangedtheirvisit，thathehadknownthemforevenalongertime，andthat，nowthattheyhadfinallyarrived，theymustneverdepart。

Tothemtherewasapparentlynothingonhisdomainwhichdidnotthrillwithdelightfulinterest。Theywereaseagerastwochildrenatapantomime，andasunconscious。Asarule，SirCharleshadfounditratherdifficulttomeetthewomenofhiscolonyonapathwhichtheywerecapableoftreadingintelligently。Infairnesstothem，hehadalwayssoughtoutsometopicinwhichtheycouldtakeanequalpart——somethingconnectedwiththeconductofchildren，orthebetterventilationofthenewschool-houseandchapel。Butthesenew-comersdidnotrequirehimtoselecttopicsofconversation;theydidnotevenwaitforhimtofinishthosewhichhehimselfintroduced。Theyflittedfromoneendofthegardentotheotherwiththeeagernessoftwomidshipmenonshoreleave，andtheyfoundsomethingtoenjoyinwhatseemedtotheGovernorthemostcommonplaceofthings。TheZouaveuniformofthesentry，theoldSpanishcannonconvertedintopeacefulgate-posts，theaviarywithitsscreamingparoquets，thebotanicalstation，andeventheice-machinewereallobjectsofdelight。

Ontheotherhand，theinteriorofthefamouspalace，whichhadbeensentoutcompletefromLondon，andwhichwaswonttofillthewivesofthecolonialswithaweortoreducethemtowhispers，forsomereasonfailedofitseffect。Buttheysaidthey"loved"thelargegoldV。R。’sonthebackoftheCouncillors’chairs，andtheyexclaimedaloudovertheredleatherdespatch-boxesandthegreatsealofthecolony，andthemysteriousenvelopesmarked"OnherMajesty’sservice。"

"Isn’tittooexciting，Florence？"demandedMrs。Collier。"ThisisthetablewhereSirCharlessitsandwritesletters’onherMajesty’sservice，’andpressesthesebuttons，andwar-shipsspringupinperfectshoals。Oh，Robert，"shesighed，"IdowishyouhadbeenaGovernor！"

TheyoungladycalledFlorencestoodlookingdownintothegreatarm-chairinfrontoftheGovernor’stable。

"MayI？"sheasked。Sheslidfearlesslyinbetweentheoakarmsofthechairandsmiledabouther。AfterwardsSirCharlesrememberedherassheappearedatthatmomentwiththeredleatherofthechairbehindher，withherglovedhandsrestingonthecarvedoak，andherheadononeside，smilingupathim。Shegazedwithlargeeyesatthebluelinenenvelopes，thestiffdocumentsinredtape，thetrayofblacksand，andthegoose-

quillpens。

"IamnowtheCountessZika，"sheannounced;"no，IamDianaoftheCrossways，andImeantodiscoverastatesecretandsellittotheDailyTelegraph。SirCharles，"shedemanded，"ifI

pressthiselectricbuttoniswardeclaredanywhere，orwhathappens？"

"Thatsecondbutton，"saidSirCharles，afterdeliberatescrutiny，"istheonewhichcommunicateswiththepantry。"

TheGovernorwouldnotconsidertheirreturningtotheyachtforluncheon。

"Youmightdecidetosteamawayassuddenlyasyoucame，"hesaid，gallantly，"andIcannottakethatchance。ThisisBachelor’sHall，soyoumustpardonmypeopleifthingsdonotgoverysmoothly。"Hehimselfledthemtothegreatguest-chamber，wheretherehadnotbeenaguestformanyyears，andhenoticed，asthoughforthefirsttime，thatthehallsthroughwhichtheypassedwerebare，andthatthefloorwaslitteredwithunpackedboxesandgun-cases。Healsoobservedforthefirsttimethatmapsofthecolony，withthecoffee-plantationsandmahoganybeltmarkedindifferentinks，werenotperhapssodecorativeaspicturesandmirrorsandfamilyportraits。Andhecouldhavewishedthatthenativeservantshadnotstaredsoadmiringlyattheguests，nordirectedeachotherinsuchaggressivewhispers。

Onthoseotheroccasions，whenthewivesoftheCouncillorscametothesemi-annualdinners，thenativeservantshadseemedadequatetoallthatwasrequiredofthem。Herecollectedwithaflushthatinthetownthesesemi-annualdinnersweredescribedasbanquets。Hewonderediftothesevisitorsfromtheoutsideworlditwasallequallyprovincial。

Buttheirenjoymentwasapparentlyunfeignedandgenerous。Itwasevidentthattheyhadknowneachotherformanyyears，yettheyreceivedeveryremarkthatanyofthemmadeasthoughithadbeenpronouncedbyanewandinterestingacquaintance。SirCharlesfounditratherdifficulttokeepupwiththetalkacrossthetable，theychangedthesubjectsorapidly，andtheyhalfspokeofsomanythingswithoutwaitingtoexplain。Hecouldnotatoncegraspthefactthatpeoplewhohadnootherpositionintheworldsavethatofobserverswerespeakingsoauthoritativelyofpublicmenandpublicmeasures。Hefound，tohisdelight，thatforthefirsttimeinseveralyearshewasnotpresidingathisowntable，andthathisguestsseemedtofeelnoaweofhim。

"What’stheuseofayachtnowadays？"Collierwassaying——"

what’stheuseofayacht，whenyoucangotosleepinawagon-

litattheGareduNord，andwakeupatVladivostok？Andlookatthetimeitsaves;elevendaystoGib，sixtoPortSaid，andfifteentoColombo——thereyouare，onlyhalf-wayaround，andyou’realreadysixteendaysbehindthemaninthewagon-lit。"

"ButnobodywantstogotoVladivostok，"saidMissCameron，"oranywhereelseinawagon-lit。Butwithayachtyoucanexploreout-of-the-wayplaces，andyoumeetnewandinterestingpeople。

Wewouldn’thavemetSirCharlesifwehadwaitedforawagon-

lit。"ShebowedherheadtotheGovernor，andhesmiledwithgratitude。HehadlostMr。ColliersomewhereintheIndianOcean，andhewasgladshehadbroughtthembacktotheWindlessIslesoncemore。

"AndagainIrepeatthattheanswertothatis，’Whynot？saidtheMarchHare，’"remarkedMr。Collier，determinedly。

Theanswer，asananswer，didnotstrikeSirCharlesasaverygoodone。Buttheladiesseemedtocomprehend，forMissCameronsaid："DidItellyouaboutmeetinghimatOxfordjustafewmonthsbeforehisdeath——atachildren’stea-party？Hewassosweetandunderstandingwiththem！Twowomentriedtolionizehim，andheranawayandplayedwiththechildren。IwasmoregladtomeethimthananyoneIcanthinkof。Notasapersonage，youknow，butbecauseIfeltgratefultohim。"

"Yes，thatway，distinctly，"saidMrs。Collier。"IshouldhavefeltthatwaytowardsMrs。Ewingmorethananyoneelse。"

"Iknow，’Jackanapes，’"remarkedCollier，shortly;"abrutalassaultuponthefeelings，Isay。"

"Someoneelsesaiditbeforeyou，Robert，"Mrs。Colliercommented，calmly。"PerhapsSirCharlesmethimatApia。"Theyallturnedandlookedathim。HewishedhecouldsayhehadmethimatApia。Hedidnotquiteseehowtheyhadmadetheirwayfromachildren’steapartyatOxfordtotheSouthPacificislands，buthewasanxioustojoininsomewherewithacleverobservation。Buttheyneverseemedtosettleinoneplacesufficientlylongforhimtorecollectwhatheknewofit。HehopedtheywouldgetaroundtothewestcoastofAfricaintime。

HehadbeenGovernorofSierraLeoneforfiveyears。

Hissuccessthatnightatdinnerontheyachtwasfarbetter。

Theothersseemedalittletiredafterthehoursofsight-seeingtowhichhehadtreatedthem，andtheywerecontenttolisten。

IntheabsenceofMr。Clarges，whoknewthemwordbyword，hefeltfreetotellhisthreestoriesoflifeatSierraLeone。Hetookhistimeinthetelling，andcouldcongratulatehimselfthathiseffortshadneverbeenmorekeenlyappreciated。Hefeltthathewasholdinghisown。

Thenightwasstillandwarm，andwhilethemenlingeredbelowatthetable，thetwowomenmountedtothedeckandwatchedthelightsofthetownastheyvanishedonebyoneandleftthemooninunchallengedpossessionoftheharbor。ForalongtimeMissCameronstoodsilent，lookingoutacrossthebayattheshoreandthehillsbeyond。Afishsplashednearthem，andthesoundofoarsrosefromthemistthatfloatedabovethewater，untiltheyweremuffledinthedistance。Thepalmsalongtheshoreglistenedlikesilver，andoverheadtheSouthernCrossshonewhiteagainstaskyofpurple。ThesilencedeepenedandcontinuedforsolongatimethatMrs。Collierfeltitssignificance，andwaitedforthegirltoendit。

MissCameronraisedhereyestothestarsandfrowned。"Iamnotsurprisedthatheiscontenttostayhere，"shesaid。"Areyou？

Itissobeautiful，sowonderfullybeautiful。"

ForamomentMrs。Colliermadenoanswer。"Twoyearsisalongtime，Florence，"shesaid;"andheisallIhave;heisnotonlymyonlybrother，heistheonlylivingsoulwhoisrelatedtome。

Thatmakesitharder。"

Thegirlseemedtofindsomeimpliedreproachinthespeech，forsheturnedandlookedatherfriendclosely。"Doyoufeelitismyfault，Alice？"sheasked。

Theolderwomanshookherhead。"Howcoulditbeyourfault？"

sheanswered。"Ifyoucouldn’tlovehimenoughtomarryhim，youcouldn’t，that’sall。Butthatisnoreasonwhyheshouldhavehiddenhimselffromallofus。Evenifhecouldnotstandbeingnearyou，caringashedid，heneednothavetreatedmeso。

Wehavedoneallwecando，andRoberthasbeenmorethanfineaboutit。HeandhisagentshavewrittentoeveryconsulandbusinesshouseinCentralAmerica，andIdon’tbelievethereisacitythathehasn’tvisited。Hehassenthimmoneyandletterstoeverybankandtoeverypost-office——"

Thegirlraisedherheadquickly。

"——buthenevercallsforeither，"Mrs。Colliercontinued，"forI

knowthatifhehadreadmylettershewouldhavecomehome。"

Thegirlliftedherheadasthoughshewereabouttospeak，andthenturnedandwalkedslowlyaway。Afterafewmomentsshereturned，andstood，withherhandsrestingontherail，lookingdownintothewater。"Iwrotehimtwoletters，"shesaid。Inthesilenceofthenighthervoicewasunusuallyclearanddistinct。"I——youmakemewonder——iftheyeverreachedhim。"

Mrs。Collier，withhereyesfixeduponthegirl，roseslowlyfromherchairandcametowardsher。ShereachedoutherhandandtouchedMissCamerononthearm。

"Florence，"shesaid，inawhisper，"haveyou——"

Thegirlraisedherheadslowly，andlowereditagain。"Yes，"

sheanswered;"Itoldhimtocomeback——tocomebacktome。

Alice，"shecried，"I——Ibeggedhimtocomeback！"Shetossedherhandsapartandagainwalkedrapidlyaway，leavingtheolderwomanstandingmotionless。

Amomentlater，whenSirCharlesandMr。Colliersteppedoutuponthedeck，theydiscoveredthetwowomenstandingclosetogether，twowhite，ghostlyfiguresinthemoonlight，andastheyadvancedtowardsthemtheysawMrs。Colliertakethegirlforaninstantinherarms。

SirCharleswasaskingMissCameronhowlongshethoughtanimmigrantshouldbemadetoworkforhisfreeholdallotment，whenMr。Collierandhiswiferoseatthesamemomentanddepartedonseparateerrands。Theymetmostmysteriouslyintheshadowofthewheel-house。

"Whatisit？IsanythingwrongwithFlorence？"Collierasked，anxiously。"Nothomesick，isshe？"

Mrs。Collierputherhandsonherhusband’sshouldersandshookherhead。

"Wrong？No，thankHeaven！it’sasrightasrightcanbe！"shecried。"She’swrittentohimtocomeback，buthe’sneveranswered，andso——andnowit’sallright。"

Mr。Colliergazedblanklyathiswife’supturnedface。"Well，I

don’tseethat，"heremonstrated。"What’stheuseofherbeinginlovewithhimnowwhenhecan’tbefound？What？Whydidn’tshelovehimtwoyearsagowhenhewaswhereyoucouldgetathim——atherhouse，forinstance。Hewastheremostofhistime。

Shewouldhavesavedalotoftrouble。However，"headded，energetically，"thismakesitabsolutelynecessarytofindthatyoungmanandbringhimtohissenses。We’llsearchthisplaceforthenextfewdays，andthenwe’lltrythemainlandagain。I

thinkI’llofferarewardforhim，andhaveitprintedinSpanish，andpasteitupinalltheplazas。WemightaddalineinEnglish，’Shehaschangedhermind。’Thatwouldbringhimhome，wouldn’tit？"

"Don’tbeunfeeling，Robert，"saidMrs。Collier。

Herhusbandraisedhiseyesappealingly，andaddressedhimselftothemoon。"Iaskyounow，"hecomplained，"isthatfairtoamanwhohasspentsixmonthsonmulebacktryingtoroundupaprodigalbrother-in-law？"

Thatsameevening，aftertheladieshadgonebelow，Mr。CollieraskedSirCharlestoassisthiminhissearchforhiswife’sbrother，andSirCharlesheartilypromisedhismostactiveco-

operation。TherewereseveralAmericansatworkintheinterior，hesaid，asoverseersonthecoffee-plantations。Itwaspossiblethattherunawaymightbeamongthem。Itwasonlythatmorning，SirCharlesremembered，thatanAmericanhadbeenatwork"repairinghislawn-mower，"asheconsideratelyexpressedit。Hewouldsendforhimonthemorrow。

Butonthemorrowtheslaveofthelawn-mowerwasreportedonthelistofprisonersas"missing，"andCorporalMallonwasgrieved，butrefusedtoconsiderhimselfresponsible。SirCharleshimselfhadallowedthevagrantunusualfreedom，andthevagranthadtakenadvantageofit，andprobablyescapedtothehills，oruptherivertothelogwoodcamp。

"TelegraphadescriptionofhimtoInspectorGarrett，"SirCharlesdirected，"andtotheheadsofallupstations。Andwhenhereturns，bringhimtome。"

SogreatwashiszealthatSirCharlesfurtherofferedtojoinMr。Collierinhissearchamongtheoutlyingplantations;butMr。

Collierpreferredtoworkalone。Heaccordinglysetoutatonce，armedwithletterstothedifferentdistrictinspectors，andinhisabsencedelegatedtoSirCharlesthepleasantdutyofcaringforthewantsofMissCameronandhiswife。SirCharlesregardedthelatterasdeservingofallsympathy，forMr。Collier，inhiseffortstoconcealthefactfromtheGovernorthatFlorenceCameronwasresponsible，orinanywayconcerned，inthedisappearanceofthemissingman，hadbeentoomysterious。SirCharleswasconvincedthatthefugitivehadswindledhisbrother-

in-lawandstolenhissister’sjewels。

ThedayswhichfollowedweretotheGovernordaysandnightsofstrangediscoveries。Herecognizedthatthemissionariesfromthegreatoutsideworldhadinvadedhisshoresanddisturbedhisgodsandtemples。Theirreligionofprogressandactivityfilledhimwithdoubtandunrest。

"Inthiscentury，"Mr。Collierhaddeclared，"nothingcanstandstill。It’sthesamewithacorporation，oracountry，oraman。

Wemusteithermarchaheadorfallout。Wecan’tmarktime。

What？"

"Exactly——certainlynot，"SirCharleshadanswered。Butinhisheartheknewthathehimselfhadbeenmarkingtimeunderthesesofttropicalskieswhiletheworldwaspushingforward。Thethoughthadnotdisturbedhimbefore。Nowhefeltguilty。Heconceivedasuddenintolerance，ifnotcontempt，forthelittlevillageofwhitewashedhouses，fortheraftsofmahoganyandoflogwoodthatbumpedagainstthepier-heads，forthesacksofcoffeepiledhighlikebarricadesunderthecorrugatedzincshedsalongthewharf。Eachseasonithadbeenhispridetonotetheincreaseintheseexports。ThedevelopmentoftheresourcesofhiscolonyhadbeenaworkinwhichhehadfeltthattheColonialSecretarytookanimmediateinterest。HehadbelievedthathewasoneoftheimportantwheelsofthemachinerywhichmovedtheBritishEmpire：andnow，inaday，hewasundeceived。

Itwasforceduponhimthattotheeyesoftheoutsideworldhewasonlyagreengroceroperatingonalargescale;heprovidedtheBritishpublicwithcoffeeforitsbreakfast，withdrugsforitsstomach，andwithstrangewoodsforitsdining-roomfurnitureandwalking-sticks。Hecombatedthisignominiouscharacterizationofhispositionindignantly。Thenewarrivalscertainlygavehimnohintthattheyconsideredhimsolightly。

Thisthoughtgreatlycomfortedhim，forhefeltthatinsomewayhewassummoningtohisaidallofhisassetsandresourcestomeetanexpertandfinalvaluation。Asherangedthembeforehimhewasdisturbedandhappytofindthatthevalueheplaceduponthemwasthevaluetheywouldhaveintheeyesofayounggirl——

notagirloftheshy，mother-obeying，man-worshippingEnglishtype，butagirlsuchasMissCameronseemedtobe，agirlwhocouldunderstandwhatyouweretryingtosaybeforeyousaidit，whocouldtakeaninterestinratesofexchangeandpresideatadinnertable，whowascharminglyfeminineandclever，andwhowasrespectfulofherselfandofothers。Infact，hedecided，withaflush，thatMissCameronherselfwastheyounggirlhehadinhismind。

"Whynot？"heasked。

Thequestioncametohiminhisroom，thesixthnightoftheirvisit，andhestrodeovertothelongpier-glassandstoodstudyinghimselfcriticallyforthefirsttimeinyears。Hewasstillafine-looking，well-keptman。Hishairwasthin，butthatfactdidnotshow;andhiswaistwaslost，butridingandtenniswouldsetthatright。Hehadmeansoutsideofhisofficialsalary，andtherewasthetitle，suchasitwas。LadyGrevillethewifeofthebirthdayknightsoundedaswellasLadyGrevillethemarchioness。AndAmericanscaredforthesethings。HedoubtedwhetherthisparticularAmericanwoulddoso，buthewasaddingupallhehadtooffer，andthatwasoneoftheassets。

HewassureshewouldnotbecontenttoremainmistressoftheWindlessIsles。Nor，indeed，didhelongercaretobemasterthere，nowthathehadinhaledthisquick，stirringbreathfromtheouterworld。Hewouldresign，andreturnandmixwiththeworldagain。HewouldenterParliament;amansowellacquaintedashimselfwiththeGoldCoastofAfricaandwiththetradeoftheWestIndiesmustalwaysbeofvalueintheLowerHouse。Thisvaluewouldberecognized，nodoubt，andhewouldbecomeatfirstanUnder-SecretaryfortheColonies，andthen，intime，ColonialSecretaryandacabinetminister。Shewouldlikethat，hethought。Andafterthatplacehadbeenreached，allthingswerepossible。Foryearshehadnotdreamedsuchdreams——notsincehehadbeenaclerkintheForeignOffice。Theyseemedjustaspossiblenowastheyhadseemedrealthen，andjustasnear。Hefeltitwasallabsolutelyinhisownhands。

Hedescendedtothedining-roomwiththeairofamanwhoalreadyfeltthecaresofhighresponsibilityuponhisshoulders。Hisheadwaserectandhischestthrownforward。Hewastenyearsyounger;hismannerwasalert，assured，andgracious。AshepassedthroughthehallshewasimpatientofthefamiliarsettingsofGovernmentHouse;theyseemedtohimlikethefurnishingsofahotelwherehehadpaidhisbill，andwherehisluggagewaslyingstrappedfordepartureinthehallway。

Inhislibraryhesawonhistableanumberofpaperslyingopenwaitingforhissignature，thedog-taxamongtheothers。Hesmiledtorememberhowimportantithadseemedtohiminthepast——inthatpastofindolenceandeasycontent。Nowhewasonfiretoputthisrekindledambitiontowork，totellthewomanwhohadlighteditthatitwasallfromherandforher，thatwithoutherhehadexisted，thatnowhehadbeguntolive。

Theyhadneverfoundhimsodelighful{sic}asheappearedthatnight。Hewaslikeamanontheeveofaholiday。Hemadeajestofhispastefforts;hemadethemsee，ashenowsawitforthefirsttime，thatsideofthelifeoftheWindlessIsleswhichwasnarrowandpetty，evenridiculous。Hetalkedofbigmeninabigway;hecriticised，andexpounded，andadvancedhisowntheoriesofgovernmentandthepropercontrolofanempire。

Collier，whohadreturnedfromhisunsuccessfulsearchoftheplantations，shookhishead。

"It’sapityyouarenotinLondonnow，"hesaid，sincerely。

"Theyneedsomeonetherewhohasbeenonthespot。Theycan’tdirectthecoloniesfromwhattheyknowoftheminWhitehall。"

SirCharlesfingeredthedinnerclothnervously，andwhenhespoke，fixedhiseyesanxiouslyuponMissCameron。

"Doyouknow，"hesaid，"Ihavebeenthinkingofdoingthatverything，ofresigningmyposthereandgoingback，enteringParliament，andalltherestofit。"

Hisdeclarationmetwithaunanimouschorusofdelight。MissCameronnoddedherheadwitheagerapproval。

"Yes，ifIwereaman，thatiswhereIshouldwishtobe，"shesaid，"attheheartofit。Why，whateveryousayintheHouseofCommonsisheardallovertheworldthenextmorning。"

SirCharlesfeltthebloodtingleinhispulses。Hehadnotbeensostirredinyears。Herwordsrantohisheadlikewine。

Mr。Collierraisedhisglass。

"Here’stoournextmeeting，"hesaid，"ontheterraceoftheHouseofCommons。"

ButMissCameroninterrupted。"No;totheColonialSecretary，"

sheamended。

"Ohyes，"theyassented，rising，andsodrankhishealth，smilingdownuponhimwithkind，friendlyglancesandgood-will。

"TotheColonialSecretary，"theysaid。SirCharlesclaspedthearmsofhischairtightlywithhishands;hiseyeswerehalfclosed，andhislipspressedintoagrim，confidentsmile。Hefeltthatasinglewordfromherwouldmakeallthattheysuggestedpossible。Ifshecaredforsuchthings，theywerehers;hehadthemtogive;theywerereadylyingatherfeet。Heknewthatthepowerhadalwaysbeenwithhim，lyingdormantinhisheartandbrain。IthadonlywaitedforthetouchofthePrincesstowakeitintolife。

TheAmericanvisitorsweretosailforthemainlandthenextday，buthehadcometoknowthemsowellinthebriefperiodoftheirvisitthathefelthedaredspeaktoherthatsamenight。

AtleasthecouldgivehersomewordthatwouldkeephiminherminduntiltheymetagaininLondon，oruntilshehadconsideredheranswer。Hecouldnotexpecthertoansweratonce。Shecouldtakemuchtime。Whatelsehadhetodonowbuttowaitforheranswer？Itwasnowallthatmadelife。

Collierandhiswifehadlefttheverandaandhadcrossedthelawntowardsthewater’sedge。Themoonlightfellfulluponthemwithallthesplendorofthetropics，andlitthenightwithabrilliant，dazzlingradiance。FromwhereMissCameronsatontheverandaintheshadow，SirCharlescouldseeonlythewhiteoutlineofherfigureandtheindolentmovementofherfan。

Collierhadlefthiswifeandwasreturningslowlytowardsthestep。SirCharlesfeltthatifhemeanttospeakhemustspeaknow，andquickly。Heroseandplacedhimselfbesideherintheshadow，andthegirlturnedherheadinquiringlyandlookedupathim。

Butontheinstantthehushofthenightwasbrokenbyasharpchallenge，andthesoundofmen’svoicesraisedinanger;

therewasthenoiseofastruggleonthegravel，andfromthecornerofthehousethetwosentriescamerunning，draggingbetweenthemaslightfigurethatfoughtandwrestledtobefree。

SirCharlesexclaimedwithindignantimpatience，andturning，strodequicklytotheheadofthesteps。

"Whatdoesthismean？"hedemanded。"Whatareyoudoingwiththatman？Whydidyoubringhimhere？"

Asthesoldiersstraightenedtoattention，theirprisonerceasedtostruggle，andstoodwithhisheadbentonhischest。Hissombrerowaspulleddownlowacrosshisforehead。

"Hewascrawlingthroughthebushes，SirCharles，"thesoldierpanted，"watchingthatgentleman，sir，"——henoddedoverhisshouldertowardsCollier。"Ichallenged，andhejumpedtorun，andwecollaredhim。Heresisted，SirCharles。"

ThemindoftheGovernorwasconcernedwithothermattersthantrespassers。

"Well，takehimtothebarracks，then，"hesaid。"Reporttomeinthemorning。Thatwilldo。"

Theprisonerwheeledeagerly，withoutfurthershowofresistance，andthesoldiersclosedinonhimoneitherside。Butasthethreemenmovedawaytogether，theirfaces，whichhadbeeninshadow，werenowturnedtowardsMr。Collier，whowasadvancingleisurely，andwithsilentfootsteps，acrossthegrass。Hemetthemfacetoface，andashedidsotheprisonersprangbackandthrewouthisarmsinfrontofhim，withthegestureofamanwhoentreatssilence。Mr。Collierhaltedasthoughstrucktostone，andthetwomenconfrontedeachotherwithoutmoving。

"GoodGod！"Mr。Collierwhispered。

Heturnedstifflyandslowly，asthoughinatrance，andbeckonedtohiswife，whohadfollowedhim。

"Alice！"hecalled。Hesteppedbackwardstowardsher，andtakingherhandinoneofhis，drewhertowardstheprisoner。"Hereheis！"hesaid。

Theyheardhercry"Henry！"withthefiercenessofacallforhelp，andsawherrushforwardandstumbleintothearmsoftheprisoner，andtheirtwoheadswerebentclosetogether。

Collierranupthestepsandexplainedbreathlessly。

"Andnow，"hegasped，inconclusion，"what’stobedone？What’shearrestedfor？Isitbailable？What？"

"Goodheavens！"exclaimedSirCharles，miserably。"Itismyfaultentirely。IassureyouIhadnoidea。HowcouldI？ButI

shouldhaveknown，Ishouldhaveguessedit。"Hedismissedthesentrieswithagesture。"Thatwilldo，"hesaid。"Returntoyourposts。"

Mr。Collierlaughedwithrelief。

"Thenitisnotserious？"heasked。

"He——hehadnomoney，thatwasall，"exclaimedSirCharles。

"Serious？Certainlynot。Uponmyword，I’msorry——"

Theyoungmanhadreleasedhimselffromhissister’sembrace，andwascomingtowardsthem;andSirCharles，eagertoredeemhimself，advancedhurriedlytogreethim。Buttheyoungmandidnotseehim;hewaslookingpasthimupthestepstowhereMissCameronstoodintheshadow。

SirCharleshesitatedanddrewback。Theyoungmanstoppedatthefootofthesteps，andstoodwithhisheadraised，staringupatthewhitefigureofthegirl，whocameslowlyforward。

ItwasforceduponSirCharlesthatinspiteofthefactthattheyoungmanbeforethemhadbutjustthenbeenrescuedfromarrest，thatinspiteofhismeangarmentsandraggedsandals，somethingabouthim——theglamourthatsurroundstheprodigal，orpossiblythemoonlight——gavehimanairofgreatdignityanddistinction。

AsMissCamerondescendedthestairs，SirCharlesrecognizedforthefirsttimethattheyoungmanwasremarkablyhandsome，andheresentedit。Ithurthim，asdidalsotheprodigal’syouthandhisassuredbearing。Hefeltasuddensinkingfear，aweakeningofallhisvitalforces，andhedrewinhisbreathslowlyanddeeply。Butnoonenoticedhim;theywerelookingatthetallfigureoftheprodigal，standingwithhishatathishipandhisheadthrownback，holdingthegirlwithhiseyes。

ColliertouchedSirCharlesonthearm，andnoddedhisheadtowardsthelibrary。"Come，"hewhispered，"letusoldpeopleleavethemtogether。They’veagooddealtosay。"SirCharlesobeyedinsilence，andcrossingthelibrarytothegreatoakchair，seatedhimselfandleanedwearilyonthetablebeforehim。

Hepickeduponeofthegoosequillsandbeganseparatingitintolittlepieces。Mr。Collierwaspacingupanddown，bitingexcitedlyontheendofhiscigar。"Well，thishascertainlybeenagreatnight，"hesaid。"Anditisallduetoyou，SirCharles——allduetoyou。Yes，theyhaveyoutothankforit。"

"They？"saidSirCharles。Heknewthatithadtocome。Hewantedthemantostrikequickly。

"They？Yes——FlorenceCameronandHenry，"Mr。Collieranswered。

"Henrywentawaybecauseshewouldn’tmarryhim。Shedidn’tcareforhimthen，butafterwardsshecared。Nowthey’rereunited，——

andsothey’rehappy;andmywifeismorethanhappy，andIwon’thavetobotheranymore;andit’sallright，andallthroughyou。"

"Iamglad，"saidSirCharles。Therewasalongpause，whichthemen，eachdeepinhisownthoughts，didnotnotice。

"Youwillbeleavingnow，Isuppose？"SirCharlesasked。Hewaslookingdown，examiningthebrokenpeninhishand。

Mr。Collierstoppedinhiswalkandconsidered。"Yes，Isupposetheywillwanttogetback，"hesaid。"Ishallbesorrymyself。

Andyou？Whatwillyoudo？"

SirCharlesstartedslightly。Hehadnotyetthoughtwhathewoulddo。Hiseyeswanderedovertheneglectedwork，whichhadaccumulatedonthedeskbeforehim。Onlyanhourbeforehehadthoughtofitaspettyandlittle，assomethingunworthyofhisenergy。Sincethattimewhatchangehadtakenplaceinhim？

Forhimeverythinghadchanged，heanswered，butinhimtherehadbeennochange;andifthisthingwhichthegirlhadbroughtintohislifehadmeantthebestinlife，itmustalwaysmeanthat。

Shehadbeenaninspiration;shemustremainhisspringofaction。Washeaslave，heaskedhimself，thatheshouldrebel？

Washeaboy，thathecouldturnhislovetoaughtbutthebestaccount？Hemustrememberhernotasthewomanwhohadcrushedhisspirit，butasshewhohadhelpedhim，whohadliftedhimuptosomethingbetterandfiner。Hewouldmakesacrificeinhername;itwouldbeinhernamethathewouldrisetohighplacesandaccomplishmuchgood。

Shewouldnotknowthis，buthewouldknow。

Heroseandbrushedthepapersawayfromhimwithanimpatientsweepofthehand。

"IshallfollowouttheplanofwhichIspokeatdinner，"heanswered。"Ishallresignhere，andreturnhomeandenterParliament。"

Mr。Collierlaughedadmiringly。"IlovethewayyouEnglishtakeyourshareofpubliclife，"hesaid，"thewayyouspendyourselvesforyourcountry，andgiveyourbrains，yourlives，everythingyouhave——allfortheempire。"

ThroughtheopenwindowSirCharlessawMissCameronhalfhiddenbythevinesoftheveranda。Themoonlightfallingabouthertransformedherintoafigurewhichwasideal，mysterious，andelusive，likeawomaninadream。Heshookhisheadwearily。

"Fortheempire？"heasked。

THELASTRIDETOGETHER

ASKETCHCONTAININGTHREEPOINTSOFVIEW

WhatthePoetLaureatewrote。

"TherearegirlsintheGoldReefCityTherearemothersandchildrentoo！

Andtheycry’Hurryupforpity！’

Sowhatcanabravemando？

"Isupposewewerewrong，weremadmen，StillIthinkattheJudgmentDay，WhenGodsiftsthegoodfromthebadmen，There’llbesomethingmoretosay。"

WhatmoretheLordChiefJusticefoundtosay。

"Inthiscaseweknowtheimmediateconsequenceofyourcrime。

Ithasbeenthelossofhumanlife，ithasbeenthedisturbanceofpublicpeace，ithasbeenthecreationofacertainsenseofdistrustofpublicprofessionsandofpublicfaith……ThesentenceofthisCourtthereforeisthat，astoyou，LeanderStarrJameson，youbeconfinedforaperiodoffifteenmonthswithouthardlabor;thatyou，SirJohnWilloughby，havetenmonths’imprisonment;andthatyou，etc。，etc。"

LondonTimes，July29th。

WhattheHon。"Reggie"Blakethoughtaboutit。

"H。M。HOLLOWAYPRISON，"July28th。

"IamgoingtokeepadiarywhileIaminprison，thatis，iftheywillletme。IneverkeptonebeforebecauseIhadn’tthetime;whenIwashomeonleavetherewastoomuchgoingontobotheraboutit，andwhenIwasupcountryIalwayscamebackafteraday’sridingsotiredthatIwastoosleepytowriteanything。AndnowthatIhavethetime，Iwon’thaveanythingtowriteabout。Ifancythatmorethingshappenedtometodaythanarelikelytohappenagainforthenexteightmonths，soI

willmakethisdaytakeupasmuchroominthediaryasitcan。

IamwritingthisonthebackofthepapertheWarderusesforhisofficialreports，whileheishuntingupcellstoputusin。

Wecamedownonhimratherunexpectedlyandheisnervous。

"Ofcourse，Ihadpreparedmyselfforthisafterafashion，butnowIseethatsomehowIneverreallydidthinkIwouldbeinhere，andallmyfriendsoutside，andeverythinggoingonjustthesameasthoughIwasn’talivesomewhere。It’sliketellingyourselfthatyourhorsecan’tpossiblypulloffarace，sothatyouwon’tmindsomuchifhedoesn’t，butyoualwaysfeeljustasbadwhenhecomesinaloser。Amancan’tfoolhimselfintothinkingonewaywhenheishopingtheother。

"ButIamgladitisover，andsettled。Itwasagreatborenotknowingyourluckandhavingthethinghangingoveryourheadeverymorningwhenyouwokeup。Indeeditwasquiteareliefwhenthecounselgotallthrougharguingoverthoseproclamations，andtheChiefJusticesummedup，butInearlywenttosleepwhenIfoundhewasgoingalloveritagaintothejury。Ididn’tunderstandaboutthoseproclamationsmyselfandI’lllayafiverthejurydidn’teither。TheColonelsaidhedidn’t。Icouldn’tkeepmymindonwhatRussellwasexplainingabout，andIgottothinkinghowmucholdJusticeHawkinslookedlikethecounselin’AliceinWonderland’whentheytriedtheknaveofspadesforstealingthetarts。Hehadjustthesamesortofabeakandthesamesortofawig，andIwonderedwhyhehadhiswigpowderedandtheothersdidn’t。Pollock’swighadaholeinthetop;youcouldseeitwhenhebentovertotakenotes。Hewasalwaystakingnotes。Idon’tbelieveheunderstoodaboutthoseproclamationseither;heneverseemedtolisten，anyway。

"TheChiefJusticecertainlydidn’tloveusverymuch，that’ssure;andhewasn’tgoingtoletanybodyelseloveuseither。I

feltquitetheChristianMartyrwhenSirEdwardwasspeakingindefence。HemadeitsoundasthoughwewereallalotofAdelphiheroesandoughttobepromotedandhavemedals，butwhenLordRussellstartedintoreadtheRiotActatusIbegantobelievethathangingwastoogoodforme。I’msureIneverknewIwasdisturbingthepeaceofnations;itseemslikesuchalargeorderforasubaltern。

"Buttheworstwaswhentheymadeusstandupbeforeallthosepeopletobesentenced。ImustsayIfeltshakyaboutthekneesthen，notbecauseIwasafraidofwhatwascoming，butbecauseitwasthefirsttimeIhadeverbeenpointedoutbeforepeople，andmadetofeelashamed。Andhavingthosegirlsthere，too，lookingatone。Thatwasn’tjustfairtous。Itmademefeelabouttenyearsold，andIrememberedhowtheHeadMasterusedtocallmetohisdeskandsay，’BlakeSenior，twopagesofHoraceandkeepinboundsforaweek。’AndthenIheardournamesandthemonths，andmynameand’eightmonths’imprisonment，’andtherewasabustleandmurmurandthetipstavescried，’OrderintheCourt，’andtheJudgesstoodupandshookouttheirbigredskirtsasthoughtheywereshakingoffthecontaminationofourpresenceandrustledaway，andIsatdown，wonderinghowlongeightmonthswas，andwishingthey’dgivenmeasmuchastheygaveJameson。

"Theyputusinaroomtogetherthen，andourcounselsaidhowsorrytheywere，andshookhands，andwentofftodinnerandleftus。Ithoughttheymighthavewaitedwithusandbeenalittlelatefordinnerjustthatonce;butnoonewaitedexceptalotofcostersoutsidewhomwedidnotknow。Itwaseighto’clockandstillquitelightwhenwecameout，andtherewasalineoffour-

wheelersandahansomreadyforus。I’dbeenhopingtheywouldtakeusoutbytheStrandentrance，justbecauseI’dliketohaveseenitagain，buttheymarchedusinsteadthroughthemainquadrangle——abeastly，gloomycourtyardthatechoed，andout，intoCareyStreet——suchadirty，gloomystreet。Thecostersandclerkssetupasortofacheerwhenwecameout，andoneofthemcried，’Godblessyou，sir，’tothedoctor，butIwassorrytheycheered。Itseemedlikekickingagainsttheumpire’sdecision。

TheColonelandIgotintoahansomtogetherandwetrottedoffintoChanceryLaneandturnedintoHolborn。Mostoftheshopswereclosed，andthestreetslookedempty，buttherewasalightedclock-faceoverMooney’spublic-house，andthehandsstoodataquarterpasteight。Ididn’tknowwhereHollowaywas，andwashopingtheywouldhavetotakeusthroughsomedecentstreetstoreachit;butwedidn’tseeapartofthecitythatmeantanythingtome，orthatIwouldchoosetotravelthroughagain。

"Neitherofustalked，andIimaginedthatthepeopleinthestreetsknewweweregoingtoprison，andIkeptmyeyesontheenamelcardonthebackoftheapron。IsupposeIread，’Two-

wheeledhackneycarriage：ifhiredanddischargedwithinthefour-milelimit，1s。’atleastahundredtimes。Igotmoresensibleafterabit，andwhenwehadturnedintoGray’sInnRoadIlookedupandsawatraminfrontofuswith’HollowayRoadandKing’sX，’paintedonthesteps，andtheColonelsawitaboutthesametimeIfancy，forweeachlookedattheother，andtheColonelraisedhiseyebrows。Itshowedusthatatleastthecabmanknewwhereweweregoing。

"’TheymighthavetakenusforaturnthroughtheWestEndfirst，Ithink，’theColonelsaid。’I’dliketohavehadalookaround，wouldn’tyou？Thisisn’tacheerfulneighborhood，isit？’

"TherewerealotofchildrenplayinginSt。Andrew’sGardens，andacrowdofthemranoutjustaswepassed，shriekingandlaughingovernothing，thewaykiddiesdo，andthatwasabouttheonlypleasantsightintheride。IhadquiteaturnwhenwecametotheNewHospitaljustbeyond，forIthoughtitwasHolloway，anditcameovermewhateightmonthsinsuchaplacemeant。I

believeifIhadn’tpulledmyselfupsharp，I’dhavejumpedoutintothestreetandrunaway。Itdidn’tlastmorethanafewseconds，butIdon’twantanymorelikethem。Iwasafraid，afraid——there’snousepretendingitwasanythingelse。Iwasinadumb，sillyfunk，andIturnedsickinsideandshook，asIhaveseenahorseshakewhenheshiesatnothingandsweatsandtremblesdownhissides。

"DuringthosefewsecondsitseemedtobemorethanIcouldstand;IfeltsurethatIcouldn’tdoit——thatI’dgomadiftheytriedtoforceme。Theideawassoterrible——ofnotbeingmasteroveryourownlegsandarms，tohaveyourfleshandbloodandwhatbrainsGodgaveyouburiedaliveinstonewallsasthoughtheywereinasafewithatime-lockonthedoorsetforeightmonthsahead。There’snothingtobeafraidofinastonewallreally，butit’stheideaofthething——ofnotbeingfreetomoveabout，especiallytoachapthathasalwayslivedintheopenasIhave，andhashadmenunderhim。ItwasnowonderIwasinafunkforaminute。I’llbetafivertheotherswere，too，ifthey’llonlyownuptoit。Idon’tmeanforlong，butjustwhentheideafirstlaidholdofthem。Anyway，itwasagoodlessontome，andifIcatchmyselfthinkingofitagainI’llwhistle，ortalktomyselfoutloudandthinkofsomethingcheerful。AndIdon’tmeantobeoneofthosechapswhospendshistimeinjailcountingthestonesinhiscell，ortrainingspiders，ormeasuringhowmanyofhisstepsmakeamile，formadnessliesthatway。ImeantosittightandthinkofallthegoodtimesI’vehad，andgoovertheminmymindveryslowly，soastomakethemlastlongerandrememberwhowasthereandwhatwesaid，andthejokesandallthat;I’llgooverhouse-partiesI

havebeenon，andthetimesI’vehadintheRiviera，andscoutingpartiesDr。JimledupcountrywhenweweretakingMatabeleLand。

"Theysaythatifyou’regoodheretheygiveyouthingstoreadafteramonthortwo，andthenIcanreadupallthoseinstructivebooksthatafellowneverdoesreaduntilhe’slaidupinbed。

"Butthat’scrowdingaheadabit;Imustkeeptowhathappenedto-day。WestruckYorkRoadatthebackoftheGreatWesternTerminus，andIhalfhopedwemightseesomechapweknewcomingorgoingaway：Iwouldliketohavewavedmyhandtohim。Itwouldhavebeenfuntohaveseenhissurprisethenextmorningwhenhereadinthepaperthathehadbeenbowingtojail-birds，andthenIwouldliketohavecheatedthetipstavesoutofjustonemorefriendlygood-by。Iwantedtosaygood-bytosomebody，butIreallycouldn’tfeelsorrytoseethelastofanyoneofthosewepassedinthestreets——theyweresuchadirty，unhappy-lookinglot，andtherailroadwallranonforeverapparently，andwemighthavebeeninaforeigncountryforallweknewofit。Therewerejustsootygraybricktenementsandgas-worksononeside，andtherailroadcuttingontheother，andsemaphoresandtelegraphwiresoverhead，andsmokeandgrimeeverywhere，itlookedexactlylikethesortofstreetthatshouldleadtoaprison，anditseemedapitytotakeasmarthansomandagoodcobintoit。

"Itwasjustabitdifferentfromourlastridetogether——whenwerodethroughthenightfromKrugers-Dorpwithhundredsofhorses’

hoofspoundingonthesoftveldtbehindus，andthecarbinesclankingagainstthestirrupsastheyswungontheslingbelts。

Wewerebeinghuntedthen，harassedoneitherside，scurryingforourlivesliketheDerbyDoginarace-trackwheneveryonehootshimandnomanstepsouttohelp——weweresickforsleep，sickforfood，lashedbytherain，andweknewthatwewerebeaten;butwewerefreestill，andunderopenskieswiththederricksoftheRandrisinglikegallowsonourleft，andJohannesburgonlyfifteenmilesaway。"