Norwhenhewasmovedonanddowntomakewayforsomene’er—do—wellwithinfluence，withabrother—in—lawintheSenate，withacousinowninganewspaper，withrichrelativeswhodesiredhimtodrinkhimselftodeathattheexpenseofthegovernmentratherthanattheirown，didoldmanMarshallpointtohisrecordasaclaimformorejusttreatment。
Andithadbeenanexcellentrecord。Hisofficialreports，inaquaint，statelyhand，weremodelsofEnglish；fullofinformation，intelligent，valuable，wellobserved。Andthosefewofhiscountrymen，whostumbleduponhimintheout—of—the—worldplacestowhichoflatehehadbeenbanished，wroteofhimtothedepartmentintermsofadmirationandawe。Neverhadheorhisfriendspetitionedforpromotion，untilitwasatlastapparentthat，saveforhisrecordandthememoryofhisdeadpatron，hehadnofriends。But，stillinthedepartmentthetraditionheldand，thoughhewasnotadvanced，hewasnotdismissed。
\"Ifthatoldman’sbeenfeedingfromthepublictrougheversincetheCivilWar，\"protesteda\"practical\"politician，\"itseemstome，Mr。Secretary，thathe’sabouthadhisshare。Ain’tittimehegivesomeoneelseabite？Someofusthathas，donethework，thathasbornethebrunt————\"
\"Thisplacehenowholds，\"interruptedtheSecretaryofStatesuavely，\"isonehardlycommensuratewithserviceslikeyours。I
can’tpronouncethenameofit，andI’mnotsurejustwhereitis，butIseethat，ofthelastsixconsulswesentthere，threeresignedwithinamonthandtheotherthreediedofyellow—fever。
Still，ifyou。insist————\"
Thepracticalpoliticianreconsideredhastily。\"I’mnotthesort，\"
heprotested，\"toturnoutamanappointedbyourmartyredPresident。Besides，he’ssooldnow，ifthefeverdon’tcatchhim，he’lldieofoldage，anyway。\"
TheSecretarycougheduncomfortably。\"Andtheysay，\"hemurmured，\"republicsareungrateful。\"
\"Idon’tquitegetthat，\"saidthepracticalpolitician。
OfPortoBanos，oftheRepublicofColombia，whereasconsulMr。
MarshallwasupholdingthedignityoftheUnitedStates，littlecouldbesaidexceptthatitpossessedasureharbor。WhendrivenfromtheCaribbeanSeabystressofweather，thelargestofoceantramps，andevenbattle—ships，couldfindinitsprotectingarmsofcoralasafeshelter。But，asyoungMr。Aiken，thewirelessoperator，pointedout，unlessdrivenbyahurricaneandthefearofdeath，nooneevervisitedit。Backoftheancientwharfs，thatdatedfromthedayswhenPortoBanoswasareceiverofstolengoodsforbuccaneersandpirates，wererowsofthatchedhuts，streets，accordingtotheseason，ofdustormud，afewiron—barred，jail—likebarracks，customhouses，municipalbuildings，andthewhitewashedadobehousesoftheconsuls。Thebackyardofthetownwasaswamp。Throughthisatfiveeachmorningarustyenginepulledatrainofflatcarstothebaseofthemountains，and，ifmeanwhiletherailshadnotdisappearedintotheswamp，atfiveintheeveningbroughtbacktheflatcarsladenwithodorouscoffeesacks。
InthedailylifeofPortoBanos，waitingforthereturnofthetrain，andbettingifitwouldreturn，wasthechiefinterest。Eachnighttheconsuls，theforeignresidents，thewirelessoperator，themanageroftherustyrailroadmetfordinner。Thereattheheadofthelongtable，byvirtueofhisyears，ofhiscourtesyanddistinguishedmanner，ofhisoffice，Mr。Marshallpresided。Ofthelittlebandofexileshewasthechosenruler。Hisrulewasgentle。
ByforceofexamplehehadmadeexistenceinPortoBanosmorepossible。ForwomenandchildrenPortoBanoswasadeath—trap，andbefore\"oldmanMarshall\"cametherehadbeennoinfluencetoremindtheenforcedbachelorsofotherdays。
Theyhadlostinterest，hadgrownlax，irritable，morose。Theirwhiteduckwasseldomwhite。Theircheekswereunshaven。WhenthesunsankintotheswampandtheheatstillturnedPortoBanosintoaTurkishbath，theythrewdiceonthegreasytablesoftheCafeBolivarfordrinks。Thepettygamblingledtopettyquarrels；thedrinkstofever。ThecomingofMr。Marshallchangedthat。Hisstandardoflife，histact，hisworldlywisdom，hischeerfulcourtesy，hisfastidiouspersonalneatnessshamedtheyoungermen；
thedesiretopleasehim，to，standwellinhisgoodopinion，broughtbackprideandself—esteem。
ThelieutenantofherMajesty’sgun—boatPLOVERnotedthechange。
\"Usedtobe，\"heexclaimed，\"youcouldn’tgetoutoftheCafeBolivarwithoutsomeonestickingaknifeinyou；nowit’sadebatingclub。Theyallsitroundatableandlistentoanoldgentlemantalkworldpolitics。\"
IfHenryMarshallbroughtcontenttotheexilesofPortoBanos，therewaslittleinreturnthatPortoBanoscouldgivetohim。
Magazinesandcorrespondentsinsixlanguageskepthimintouchwiththoseforeignlandsinwhichhehadrepresentedhiscountry，butofthecountryhehadrepresented，newspapersandperiodicalsshowedhimonlytooclearlythatinfortyyearsithadgrownawayfromhim，hadchangedbeyondrecognition。
WhenlasthehadcalledattheStateDepartment，hehadbeenmadetofeelhewasamanwithoutacountry，andwhenhevisitedhishometowninVermont，hewaslookeduponasaRipVanWinkle。Thoseofhisboyhoodfriendswhowerenotdeadhadlongthoughtofhimasdead。Andthesleepy，prettyvillagehadbecomeabustlingcommercialcentre。Inthelaneswhere，asayoungman，hehadwalkedamongwheatfields，trolley—carswhirledbetweenrowsofmillsandfactories。Thechildrenhadgrowntomanhood，withchildrenoftheirown。
Likeaghost，hesearchedforhouseafterhouse，whereoncehehadbeenmadewelcome，onlytofindinitsplaceatoweringofficebuilding。\"Allhadgone，theoldfamiliarfaces。\"Invainhescannedeventheshopfrontsforafriendly，homelikename。Whetherthefaultwashis，whetherhewouldbetterhaveservedhisownintereststhanthoseofhisgovernment，itnowwastoolatetodetermine。Inhisownhome，hewasastrangeramongstrangers。Intheservicehehadsofaithfullyfollowed，rankbyrank，hehadbeendropped，untilnowhe，whotwicehadbeenaconsul—general，wasanexile，banishedtoafeverswamp。ThegreatShipofStatehaddroppedhimoverside，had\"marooned\"him，andsailedaway。
TwiceadayhewalkedalongtheshellroadtotheCafeBolivar，andbackagaintotheconsulate。There，asheenteredtheouteroffice，Jose\"theColombianclerk，wouldriseandbowprofoundly。
\"Anypapersformetosign，Jose？\"theconsulwouldask。
\"Notto—day，Excellency，\"theclerkwouldreply。ThenJosewouldreturntowritingalettertohislady—love；notthattherewasany—thingtotellher，butbecausewritingontheofficialpaperoftheconsulategavehimimportanceinhiseyes，andinhers。Andintheinnerofficetheconsulwouldcontinuetogazeattheemptyharbor，theemptycoralreefs，theempty，burningsky。
ThelittlebandofexileswereatsecondbreakfastwhenthewirelessmancameinlatetoannouncethataRedD。boatandtheislandofCuracaohadbothreportedahurricanecomingnorth。Also，thatmuchconcernwasfeltforthesafetyoftheyachtSERAPIS。
Threedaysbefore，inadvanceofhercoming，shehadsentawirelesstoWilhelmstad，askingthecaptainoftheporttoreserveaberthforher。Sheexpectedtoarrivethefollowingmorning。Butforforty—eighthoursnothinghadbeenheardfromher，anditwasbelievedshehadbeenoverhauledbythehurricane。OwingtothepresenceonboardofSenatorHanley，theclosestfriendofthenewPresident，themanwhohadmadehimpresident，muchconcernwasfeltatWashington。Totrytopickherupbywireless，thegun—boatNEWARKhadbeenorderedfromCulebra，thecruiserRALEIGH，withAdmiralHardyonboard，fromColon。ItwaspossibleshewouldseekshelteratPortoBanos。Theconsulwasorderedtoreport。
AsMarshallwroteouthisanswer，theFrenchconsulexclaimedwithinterest：
\"Heisofimportance，then，thissenator？\"heasked。\"Isitthatinyourcountryshipsofwarareattheserviceofasenator？\"
Aiken，thewirelessoperator，grinnedderisively。
\"AttheserviceofTHISsenator，theyare！\"heanswered。\"Theycallhimthe’king—maker，’themanbehindthethrone。\"
\"Butinyourcountry，\"protestedtheFrenchman，\"thereisnothrone。Ithoughtyourpresidentwaselectedbythepeople？\"
\"That’swhatthepeoplethink，\"answeredAiken。\"InGod’scountry，\"
heexplained，\"thetrustswantarichmanintheSenate，withthesameinterestsastheirown，torepresentthem。TheychoseHanley。
Hepickedoutofthecandidatesforthepresidencythemanhethoughtwouldhelptheinterests。Henominatedhim，andthepeoplevotedforhim。Hanleyiswhatwecalla’boss。’\"
TheFrenchmanlookedinquiringlyatMarshall。
\"Thepositionofthebossisthemoredangerous，\"saidMarshallgravely，\"becauseitisunofficial，becausetherearenolawstocurtailhispowers。MenlikeSenatorHanleyareamenacetogoodgovernment。Theyseeinpublicofficeonlyarewardforpartyworkers。\"
\"That’sright，\"assentedAiken。\"Yourfortyyears’service，Mr。
Consul，wouldn’tcountwithHanley。Ifhewantedyourjob，he’dthrowyououtasquickashewouldadrunkencook。\"
Mr。Marshallflushedpainfully，andtheFrenchconsulhastenedtointerrupt。
\"Then，letuspray，\"heexclaimed，withfervor，\"thatthehurricanehassunktheSERAPIS，andallonboard。\"
Twohourslater，theSERAPIS，showingshehadmetthehurricaneandhadcomeoutsecondbest，steamedintotheharbor。
HerownerwasyoungHerbertLivingstone，ofWashington。Heoncehadbeeninthediplomaticservice，and，asministertoTheHague，wishedtoreturntoit。Inordertobringthisabouthehadsubscribedliberallytothepartycampaignfund。
Withhim，amongotherdistinguishedpersons，wastheall—powerfulHanley。ThekidnappingofHanleyforthecruise，initself，demonstratedtheabilityofLivingstoneasadiplomat。Itwastheopinionofmanythatitwouldsurelyleadtohisappointmentasaministerplenipotentiary。Livingstonewasofthesameopinion。Hehadnotlivedlonginthenation’scapitalwithoutobservingthevalueofpropinquity。Howmanymenheknewwerenowpaymasters，andsecretariesoflegation，solelybecausethosehighinthegovernmentmetthemdailyattheMetropolitanClub，andpreferredtheminalmostanyotherplace。Andif，afterthreeweeksashisguestonboardwhatthenewspaperscalledhisfloatingpalace，thesenatorcouldrefusehimeventheprize，legationofEurope，therewasnovalueinmodestmerit。Asyet，Livingstonehadnothintedathisambition。Therewasnoneed。ToastatesmanofHanley’sastuteness，thelargenessofLivingstone’scontributiontothecampaignfundwasself—explanatory。
Afterherwrestling—matchwiththehurricane，allthoseonboardtheSERAPISseemedtofindinland，evenintheswamplandofPortoBanos，acompellingattraction。Beforetheanchorshitthewater，theywereinthelaunch。Onreachingshore，theymadeatoncefortheconsulate。Thereweremanycablestheywishedtostartontheirwaybywireless；cablestofriends，tonewspapers，tothegovernment。
Jose，theColombianclerk，appalledbytheunprecedentedinvasionofvisitors，ofvisitorssodistinguished，andMarshall，gratefulforachancetoservehisfellow—countrymen，andespeciallyhiscountrywomen，wereubiquitous，eager，indispensable。AtJose’sdeskthegreatsenator，rollinghiscigarbetweenhisteeth，wasusing，toJose’secstasy，Jose’sownpentowriteareassuringmessagetotheWhiteHouse。Attheconsul’sdeskabeautifulcreature，allinlaceandpearls，wasstrugglingtocompresstheverylowopinionsheheldofahurricaneintotenwords。Onhisknee，HenryCairns，thebanker，wasinditinginstructionstohisWallStreetoffice，anduponhimselfLivingstonehadtakentheresponsibilityofreplyingtotheinquiriesheapeduponMarshall’sdesk，frommanynewspapers。
Itwasjustbeforesunset，andMarshallproducedhisteathings，andtheyoungpersoninpearlsandlace，whowasMissCairns，madeteaforthewomen，andthemenmixedginandlimeswithtepidwater。Theconsulapologizedforproposingatoastinwhichtheycouldnotjoin。Hebeggedtodrinktothosewhohadescapedtheperilsofthesea。Hadtheybeenhisoldestandnearestfriends，hislittlespeechcouldnothavebeenmoreheart—feltandsincere。
Tohisdistress，itmovedoneoftheladiestotears，andinembarrassmentheturnedtothemen。
\"Iregretthereisnoice，\"hesaid，\"butyouknowtheruleofthetropics；assoonasashipentersport，theice—machinebursts。\"
\"I’lltellthestewardtosendyousome，sir，\"saidLivingstone，\"andaslongaswe’rehere。\"
Thesenatorshowedhisconcern。
\"Aslongaswe’rehere？\"hegasped。
\"Notovertwodays，\"answeredtheownernervously。\"Thechiefsaysitwilltakeallofthattogetherinshape。Asyououghttoknow，Senator，shewasprettybadlymauled。\"
Thesenatorgazedblanklyoutofthewindow。Beyonditlaythenakedcoralreefs，theemptysky，andtheraggedpalmsofPortoBanos。
Livingstonefeltthathislegationwasslippingfromhim。
\"Thatwirelessoperator，\"hecontinuedhastily，\"tellsmethereisamostamusingplaceafewmilesdownthecoast，LasBocas，asortofConeyIsland，wherethegovernmentpeoplegoforthesummer。
There’ssurfbathingandrouletteandcafeschantants。Hesaysthere’ssomeSpanishdancers————\"
TheguestsoftheSERAPISexclaimedwithinterest；thesenatorsmiled。ToMarshallthegeneralenthusiasmoverthethoughtofarideonamerry—go—roundsuggestedthatthefriendsofMr。
Livingstonehadfoundtheirownsocietyfarfromsatisfying。
Greatlyencouraged，Livingstonecontinued，withenthusiasm：
\"Andthatwirelessmansaid，\"headded，\"thatwiththelaunchwecangetthereinhalfanhour。Wemightrundownafterdinner。\"HeturnedtoMarshall。
\"Willyoujoinus，Mr。Consul？\"heasked，\"anddinewithus，first？\"
Marshallacceptedwithgenuinepleasure。Ithadbeenmanymonthssincehehadsatattablewithhisownpeople。Butheshookhisheaddoubtfully。
\"IwaswonderingaboutLasBocas，\"heexplained，\"ifyourgoingtheremightnotgetyouintroubleatthenextport。Withayacht，Ithinkitisdifferent，butLasBocasisunderquarantine\"
Therewasachorusofexclamations。
\"It’snotserious，\"Marshallexplained。\"Therewasbubonicplaguethere，orsomethinglikeit。Youwouldbeinnodangerfromthat。
Itisonlythatyoumightbeheldupbytheregulations。Passengersteamerscan’tlandanyonewhohasbeenthereatanyotherportoftheWestIndies。TheEnglishareespeciallystrict。TheRoyalMailwon’tevenreceiveanyoneonboardherewithoutacertificatefromtheEnglishconsulsayinghehasnotvisitedLasBocas。ForanAmericantheywouldrequirethesameguaranteefromme。ButIdon’tthinktheregulationsextendtoyachts。Iwillinquire。Idon’twishtodepriveyouofanyofthemanypleasuresofPortoBanos，\"
headded，smiling，\"butifyouwererefusedalandingatyournextportIwouldblamemyself。\"
\"It’sallright，\"declaredLivingstonedecidedly。\"It’sjustasyousay；yachtsandwarshipsareexempt。Besides，Icarrymyowndoctor，andifhewon’tgiveusacleanbillofhealth，I’llmakehimwalktheplank。Ateight，then，atdinner。I’llsendthecutterforyou。Ican’tgiveyouasalute，Mr。Consul，butyoushallhaveallthesideboysIcanmuster。\"
Thosefromtheyachtpartedfromtheirconsulinthemostfriendlyspirit。
\"Ithinkhe’scharming！\"exclaimedMissCairns。\"Anddidyounoticehisnovels？Theywereineverylanguage。Itmustbeterriblylonelydownhere，foramanlikethat。\"
\"He’sthefirstofourconsulswe’vemetonthistrip，\"growledherfather，\"thatwe’vecaughtsober。\"
\"Sober！\"exclaimedhiswifeindignantly。
\"He’soneoftheMarshallsofVermont。Iaskedhim。\"
\"Iwonder，\"musedHanley，\"howmuchtheplaceisworth？Hamilton，oneofthenewsenators，hasbeendevilingthelifeoutofmetosendhissonsomewhere。SaysifhestaysinWashingtonhe’lldisgracethefamily。Ishouldthinkthisplacewoulddriveanymantodrinkhimselftodeathinthreemonths，andyoungHamilton，fromwhatI’veseenofhim，oughttobeabletodoitinaweek。Thatwouldleavetheplaceopenforthenextman。\"
\"There’sapostmasterinmyStatethinkshecarriedit。\"Thesenatorsmiledgrimly。\"Hehasconsumption，andwantsustogivehimaconsulshipinthetropics。I’lltellhimI’veseenPortoBanos，andthatit’sjusttheplaceforhim。\"
Thesenator’spleasantrywasnotwellreceived。ButMissCairnsalonehadthetemeritytospeakofwhattheotherswerethinking。
\"WhatwouldbecomeofMr。Marshall？\"sheasked。Thesenatorsmiledtolerantly。
\"Idon’tknowthatIwasthinkingofMr。Marshall，\"hesaid。\"I
can’trecallanythinghehasdoneforthisadministration。Yousee，MissCairns，\"heexplained，inthetoneofoneaddressingasmallchild，\"Marshallhasbeenabroadnowforfortyyears，attheexpenseofthetaxpayers。Someofusthinkmenwhohavelivedthatlongontheirfellow—countrymenhadbettercomehomeandgettowork。\"
Livingstonenoddedsolemnlyinassent。Hedidnotwishapostabroadattheexpenseofthetaxpayers。Hewaswillingtopayforit。Andthen，with\"ex—Minister\"onhisvisitingcards，andasenseofdutywellperformed，fortherestofhislifehecouldjointheotherexpatriatesinParis。
Justbeforedinner，thecruiserRALEIGHhavingdiscoveredthewhereaboutsoftheSERAPISbywireless，enteredtheharbor，andAdmiralHardycametotheyachttocalluponthesenator，inwhosebehalfhehadbeenscouringtheCaribbeanSeas。Havingpaidhisrespectstothatpersonage，theadmiralfellboisterouslyuponMarshall。
Thetwooldgentlemenwerefriendsofmanyyears。Theyhadmet，officiallyandunofficially，inmanystrangepartsoftheworld。Toeachthechancereunionwasapieceoftremendousgoodfortune。AndthroughoutdinnertheguestsofLivingstone，alreadyboredwitheachother，foundinthemandtheirtalkofformerdaysnewanddelightfulentertainment。Somuchsothatwhen，Marshallhavingassuredthemthatthelocalquarantineregulationsdidnotextendtoayacht，themendepartedforLasBocas，thewomeninsistedthatheandadmiralremainbehind。
ItwasforMarshallawondrousevening。ToforegatherwithhisoldfriendwhomhehadknownsinceHardywasamadmidshipman，tositatthefeetofhisowncharmingcountrywomen，tolistentotheirsoft，modulatedlaughter，tonotehowquicklytheysawthattohimtheeveningwasagreatevent，andwithwhattacteachcontributedtomakeitthemorememorable；allservedtowipeoutthemonthsofbitterloneliness，thestigmaoffailure，thesenseofundeservedneglect。Inthemoonlight，onthecoolquarter—deck，theysat，inahalf—circle，eachofthetwofriendstellingtalesoutofschool，talesofwhichtheotherwastheheroorthevictim，\"inside\"
storiesofgreatoccasions，ceremonies，bombardments，unrecorded\"shirt—sleeve\"diplomacy。
HardyhadhelpedtoopentheSuezCanal。MarshallhadassistedtheQueenofMadagascartoescapefromtheFrenchinvaders。OntheBarbaryCoastHardyhadchasedpirates。InEdinburghMarshallhadplayedchesswithCarlyle。HehadseenParisinmourninginthedaysofthesiege，ParisinterrorinthedaysoftheCommune；hehadknownGaribaldi，Gambetta，theyoungerDumas，thecreatorofPickwick。
\"DoyourememberthattimeinTangier，\"theadmiralurged，whenI
wasamidshipman，andgotintothebashaw’sharem？\"
\"DoyourememberhowIgotyouout？Marshallrepliedgrimly。
\"And，\"demandedHardy，\"doyourememberwhenAdelinaPattipaidavisittotheKEARSARGEatMarseillesin’65——GeorgeDeweywasoursecondofficer——andyouwerebowingandbackingawayfromher，andyoubackedintoanopenhatch，andshesaid’myFrenchisn’tuptoit’whatwasitshesaid？\"
\"Ididn’thearit，\"saidMarshall；\"Iwastoofardownthehatch。\"
\"DoyoumeantheoldKEARSARGE？\"askedMrs。Cairns。\"Wereyouintheservicethen，Mr。Marshall？\"
Withloyalprideinhisfriend，theadmiralansweredforhim：
\"Hewasourconsul—generalatMarseilles！\"
Therewasanuncomfortablemoment。Eventhosedeniedimaginationcouldnotescapethecontrast，couldseeintheirmind’seyethegreatharborofMarseilles，crowdedwiththeshippingoftheworld，surroundingitthebeautifulcity，therivalofParistothenorth，andonthebattleshiptheyoungconsul—generalmakinghisbowtotheyoungEmpressofSong。Andnow，beforetheiractualeyes，theysawthevillageofPortoBanos，ablackstreakinthenight，arowofmudshacks，attheendofthewharfasinglelanternyellowintheclearmoonlight。
LaterintheeveningMissCairnsledtheadmiraltooneside。
\"Admiral，\"shebeganeagerly，\"tellmeaboutyourfriend。Whyishehere？Whydon’ttheygivehimaplaceworthyofhim？I’veseenmanyofourrepresentativesabroad，andIknowwecannotaffordtowastemenlikethat。\"Thegirlexclaimedindignantly：\"He’soneofthemostinterestingmenI’veevermet！He’slivedeverywhere，knowneveryone。He’sadistinguishedman，acultivatedman；evenIcanseeheknowshiswork，thathe’sadiplomat，born，trained，thathe’s————\"Theadmiralinterruptedwithagrowl。
\"Youdon’thavetotellMEaboutHenry，\"heprotested。\"I’veknownHenrytwenty—fiveyears。IfHenrygothisdeserts，\"heexclaimedhotly，\"hewouldn’tbeaconsulonthiscoralreef；he’dbeaministerinEurope。Lookatme！We’rethesameage。Westartedtogether。WhenLincolnsenthimtoMoroccoasconsul，hesignedmycommissionasamidshipman。NowI’manadmiral。Henryhastwicemybrainsandhe’sbeenaconsul—general，andhe’sHERE，backatthefootoftheladder！\"
\"Why？\"demandedthegirl。
\"Becausethenavyisaserviceandtheconsularserviceisn’taservice。MenlikeSenatorHanleyuseittopaytheirdebts。WhileHenry’sbeenservinghiscountryabroad，he’slosthisfriends，losthis’pull。’ThosepoliticiansupatWashingtonhavenouseforhim。Theydon’tconsiderthataconsullikeHenrycanmakeamilliondollarsforhiscountrymen。Hecankeepthemfromshippinggoodswherethere’snomarket，showthemwherethereisamarket。\"
Theadmiralsnortedcontemptuously。\"Youdon’thavetotellMEthevalueofagoodconsul。Butthosepoliticiansdon’tconsiderthat。
Theyonlyseethathehasajobworthafewhundreddollars，andtheywantit，andifhehasn’totherpoliticianstoprotecthim，they’lltakeit。\"Thegirlraisedherhead。
\"Whydon’tyouspeaktothesenator？\"sheasked。\"Tellhimyou’veknownhimforyears，that————\"
\"Gladtodoit！\"exclaimedtheadmiralheartily。\"Itwon’tbethefirsttime。ButHenrymustn’tknow。He’stooconfoundedlytouchy。
HehatestheIDEAofinfluence，hatesmenlikeHanley，whoabuseit。Ifhethoughtanythingwasgiventohimexceptonhismerits，hewouldn’ttakeit。\"
\"Thenwewon’ttellhim，\"saidthegirl。Foramomentshehesitated。
\"IfIspoketoMr。Hanley，\"sheasked，\"toldhimwhatIlearnedto—nightofMr。Marshall，\"wouldithaveanyeffect？\"
\"Don’tknowhowitwillaffectHanley，saidthesailor，\"butifyouaskedmetomakeanybodyaconsul—general，I’dmakehimanambassador。\"
LaterintheeveningHanleyandLivingstonewereseatedaloneondeck。ThevisittoLasBocashadnotprovedamusing，but，muchtoLivingstone’srelief，hishonoredguestwasnowingood—humor。Hetookhiscigarfromhislips，onlytosipatalongcooldrink。Hewasinamoodflatteringlyconfidentialandcommunicative。
\"PeoplehavethestrangestideaofwhatIcandoforthem，\"helaughed。Itwashisposetopretendhewaswithoutauthority。\"TheybelieveI’veonlytowaveawand，andgetthemanythingtheywant。
IthoughtI’dbesafefromthemonboardayacht。\"
Livingstone，inignoranceofwhatwascoming，squirmedapprehensively。
\"Butitseems，\"thesenatorwenton，\"I’matthemercyofaconspiracy。ThewomenfolkwantmetodosomethingforthisfellowMarshall。Iftheyhadtheirway，they’dsendhimtotheCourtofSt。James。AndoldHardy，too，tackledmeabouthim。SodidMissCairns。
AndthenMarshallhimselfgotmebehindthewheel—house，andI
thoughthewasgoingtotellmehowgoodhewas，tooIButhedidn’t。\"
Asthoughthejokewereonhimself，thesenatorlaughedappreciatively。
\"Toldme，instead，thatHardyoughttobeavice—admiral。\"
Livingstone，also，laughed，withthesatisfiedairofonewhocannotbetricked。
\"Theyfixeditupbetweenthem，\"heexplained，\"eachwastoputinagoodwordfortheother。\"Henoddedeagerly。\"That’swhatI
think。\"
ThereweremomentsduringthecruisewhenSenatorHanleywouldhavefoundreliefindroppinghishostoverboard。Withmockdeference，theoldermaninclinedhishead。
\"That’swhatyouthink，isit？\"heasked。\"Livingstone，\"headded，\"youcertainlyareagreatjudgeofmen！\"
Thenextmorning，oldmanMarshallwokewithalightnessathisheartthathadbeenlongabsent。Foramoment，consciousonlythathewashappy，helaybetweensleepandwaking，frowningupathiscanopyofmosquitonet，tryingtorealizewhatchangehadcometohim。Thenheremembered。Hisoldfriendhadreturned。Newfriendshadcomeintohislifeandwelcomedhimkindly。Hewasnolongerlonely。Aseagerasaboy，herantothewindow。Hehadnotbeendreaming。Intheharborlaytheprettyyacht，thestately，white—hulledwar—ship。Theflagthatdroopedfromthesternofeachcausedhisthroattotighten，broughtwarmtearstohiseyes，freshresolvetohisdiscouraged，troubledspirit。Whenhekneltbesidehisbed，hisheartpouredouthisthanksingratitudeandgladness。
Whilehewasdressing，ablue—jacketbroughtanotefromtheadmiral。Itinvitedhimtoteaonboardthewar—ship，withtheguestsoftheSERAPIS。Hisoldfriendaddedthathewascomingtolunchwithhisconsul，andwantedtimereservedforalongtalk。
Theconsulagreedgladly。Hewasinholidayhumor。Thedaypromisedtorepeatthegoodmomentsofthenightprevious。
Atnineo’clock，throughtheopendooroftheconsulate，MarshallsawAiken，thewirelessoperator，signalingfromthewharfexcitedlytotheyacht，andaboatleavetheshipandreturn。
Almostimmediatelythelaunch，carryingseveralpassengers，againmadethetripshoreward。
Halfanhourlater，SenatorHanley，MissCairns，andLivingstonecameupthewaterfront，andenteringtheconsulate，seatedthemselvesaroundMarshall’sdesk。Livingstonewassunkinmelancholy。Thesenator，on。thecontrary，wassmilingbroadly。Hismannerwasoneofdistinctrelief。Hegreetedtheconsulwithheartygood—humor。
\"I’morderedhome！\"heannouncedgleefully。Then，rememberingthepresenceofLivingstone，hehastenedtoadd：\"Ineedn’tsayhowsorryIamtogiveupmyyachtingtrip，butordersareorders。ThePresident，\"heexplainedtoMarshall，\"cablesmethismorningtocomebackandtakemycoatoff。\"Theprospect，asachangefromplayingbridgeonapleasureboat，seemedfarfromdepressinghim。
\"ThosefilibustersintheSenate，\"hecontinuedgenially，\"aremakingtroubleagain。Theythinkthey’vegotmeoutofthewayforanothermonth，butthey’llfindthey’rewrong。Whenthatbillcomesup，they’llfindmeattheoldstandandreadyforbusiness！\"
Marshalldidnotattempttoconcealhispersonaldisappointment。
\"Iamsosorryyouareleaving，\"hesaid；\"selfishlysorry，Imean。
I’dhopedyouallwouldbehereforseveraldays。\"HelookedinquiringlytowardLivingstone。
\"IunderstoodtheSERAPISwasdisabled，\"heexplained。
\"Sheis，\"answeredHanley。\"So’stheRALEIGH。Atapinch，theadmiralmighthavestretchedtheregulationsandcarriedmetoJamaica，buttheRALEIGH’senginesareknockedabouttoo。I’veGOT
toreachKingstonThursday。TheGermanboatleavesthereThursdayforNewYork。AtfirstitlookedasthoughIcouldn’tdoit，butwefindthattheRoyalMailisdueto—day，andshecangettoKingstonWednesdaynight。It’sagreatpieceofluck。Iwouldn’tbotheryouwithmytroubles，\"thesenatorexplainedpleasantly，\"buttheagentoftheRoyalMailherewon’tsellmeaticketuntilyou’veputyoursealtothis。\"Heextendedapieceofprintedpaper。
AsHanleyhadbeentalking，thefaceoftheconsulhadgrowngrave。
Heacceptedthepaper，butdidnotlookatit。Instead，heregardedthesenatorwithtroubledeyes。Whenhespoke，histonewasoneofgenuineconcern。
\"Itismostunfortunate，\"hesaid。\"ButIamafraidtheROYALMAIL
willnottakeyouonboard。BecauseofLasBocas，\"heexplained。
\"Ifwehadonlyknown！\"headdedremorsefully。\"ItisMOST
unfortunate。\"
\"BecauseofLasBocas？\"echoedHanley。
\"Youdon’tmeanthey’llrefusetotakemetoJamaicabecauseI
spenthalfanhourattheendofawharflisteningtoasqueakygramophone？\"
\"Thetrouble，\"explainedMarshall，\"isthis：iftheycarriedyou，alltheotherpassengerswouldbeheldinquarantinefortendays，andtherearefinestopay，andtherewouldbedifficultiesoverthemails。But，\"headdedhopefully，\"maybetheregulationshavebeenaltered。Iwillseehercaptain，andtellhim————\"
\"Seehercaptain！\"objectedHanley。\"Whyseethecaptain？Hedoesn’tknowI’vebeentothatplace。Whytellhim？AllIneedisacleanbillofhealthfromyou。That’sallHEwants。Youhaveonlytosignthatpaper。\"Marshallregardedthesenatorwithsurprise。
\"ButIcan’t，\"hesaid。
\"Youcan’t？Whynot？\"
\"BecauseitcertifiestothefactthatyouhavenotvisitedLasBocas。Unfortunately，youhavevisitedLasBocas。\"
Thesenatorhadbeenwalkingupanddowntheroom。Nowheseatedhimself，andstaredatMarshallcuriously。
\"It’slikethis，Mr。Marshall，\"hebeganquietly。\"ThePresidentdesiresmypresenceinWashington，thinksIcanbeofsomeusetohimthereinhelpingcarryoutcertainpartymeasures——measurestowhichhepledgedhimselfbeforehiselection。Downhere，aBritishsteamshiplinehaslaiddownlocalruleswhich，inmycaseanyway，areridiculous。Thequestionis，areyougoingtobeboundbytheredtapeofaha’pennyBritishcolony，orbyyouroathtothePresidentoftheUnitedStates？\"
ThesophistryamusedMarshall。Hesmiledgood—naturedlyandshookhishead。
\"I’mafraid，Senator，\"hesaid，\"thatwayofputtingitishardlyfair。Unfortunately，thequestionisoneoffact。Iwillexplaintothecaptain————\"
\"Youwillexplainnothingtothecaptain！\"interruptedHanley。
\"Thisisamatterwhichconcernsnoonebutourtwoselves。Iamnotaskingfavorsofsteamboatcaptains。IamaskinganAmericanconsultoassistanAmericancitizenintrouble，and，\"headded，withheavysarcasm，\"incidentally，tocarryoutthewishesofhisPresident。\"
Marshallregardedthesenatorwithanexpressionofbothsurpriseanddisbelief。
\"Areyouaskingmetoputmynametowhatisnotso？\"hesaid。\"Areyouserious？\"
\"Thatpaper，Mr。Marshall，\"returnedHanleysteadily，\"isamereform，apieceofredtape。There’snomoredangerofmycarryingtheplaguetoJamaicathanofmycarryingadynamitebomb。YouKNOW
that。\"
\"IDOknowthat，\"assentedMarshallheartily。\"Iappreciateyourposition，andIregretitexceedingly。Youaretheinnocentvictimofaregulationwhichisawiseregulation，butwhichismostunfairtoyou。Myownposition，\"headded，\"isnotimportant，butyoucanbelieveme，itisnoteasy。Itiscertainlynopleasureformetobeunabletohelpyou。\"
Hanleywasleaningforward，hishandsonhisknees，hiseyeswatchingMarshallclosely。\"Thenyourefuse？\"hesaid。\"Why？\"
Marshallregardedthesenatorsteadily。Hismannerwasuntroubled。
ThelookheturneduponHanleywasoneofgravedisapproval。
\"Youknowwhy，\"heansweredquietly。\"Itisimpossible。\"
InsuddenangerHanleyrose。Marshall，whohadbeenseatedbehindhisdesk，alsorose。Foramoment，insilence，thetwomenconfrontedeachother。ThenHanleyspoke；histonewasharshandthreatening。
\"ThenIamtounderstand，\"heexclaimed，\"thatyourefusetocarryoutthewishesofaUnitedStatesSenatorandofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates？\"
InfrontofMarshall，onhisdesk，wasthelittleironstampoftheconsulate。Protectingly，almostcaressingly，helaidhishanduponit。
\"Irefuse，\"hecorrected，\"toplacethesealofthisconsulateonalie。\"
Therewasamoment’spause。MissCairns，unwillingtoremain，andunabletowithdraw，claspedherhandsunhappilyandstaredatthefloor。Livingstoneexclaimedinindignantprotest。Hanleymovedastepnearerand，toemphasizewhathesaid，tappedhisknucklesonthedesk。Withtheairofoneconfidentofhisadvantage，hespokeslowlyandsoftly。
\"Doyouappreciate，\"heasked，\"that，whileyoumaybeofsomeimportancedownhereinthisfeverswamp，inWashingtonIamsupposedtocarrysomeweight？DoyouappreciatethatIamasenatorfromaStatethatnumbersfourmillionsofpeople，andthatyouarepreventingmefromservingthosepeople？\"
Marshallinclinedhisheadgravelyandpolitely。
\"AndIwantyoutoappreciate，\"hesaid，\"thatwhileIhavenoweightatWashington，inthisfeverswampIhavethehonortorepresenteightymillionsofpeople，andaslongasthatconsularsignisovermydoorIdon’tintendtoprostituteitforYOU，orthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，oranyoneofthoseeightymillions。\"
Ofthetwomen，thefirsttolowerhiseyeswasHanley。Helaughedshortly，andwalkedtothedoor。Thereheturned，andindifferently，asthoughtheincidentnolongerinterestedhim，drewouthiswatch。
\"Mr。Marshall，\"hesaid，\"ifthecableisworking，I’lltakeyourtinsignawayfromyoubysunset。\"
ForoneofMarshall’straditions，tosuchaspeechtherewasnoanswersavesilence。Hebowed，and，apparentlysereneandundismayed，resumedhisseat。Fromthecontest，judgingfromthemannerofeach，itwasMarshall，notHanley，whohademergedvictorious。
ButMissCairnswasnotdeceived。Undertheunexpectedblow，Marshallhadturnedolder。Hisclearblueeyeshadgrownlessalert，hisbroadshouldersseemedtostoop。Insympathy，herowneyesfilledwithsuddentears。
\"Whatwillyoudo？\"shewhispered。
\"Idon’tknowwhatIshalldo，\"saidMarshallsimply。\"Ishouldhavelikedtohaveresigned。It’saprettierfinish。Afterfortyyears——tobedismissedbycableis——it’sapoorwayofendingit。\"
MissCairnsroseandwalkedtothedoor。Theresheturnedandlookedback。
\"Iamsorry，\"shesaid。Andbothunderstoodthatinsayingnomorethanthatshehadbestshownhersympathy。
AnhourlaterthesympathyofAdmiralHardywasexpressedmoredirectly。
\"Ifhecomesonboardmyship，\"roaredthatgentleman，\"I’llpushhimdownanammunitionhoistandbreakhisdamnedneck！\"
Marshalllaugheddelightedly。Theloyaltyofhisoldfriendwasneversowelcome。
\"You’lltreathimwitheverycourtesy，\"hesaid。\"Theonlysatisfactionhegetsoutofthisistoseethathehashurtme。Wewillnotgivehimthatsatisfaction。\"
ButMarshallfoundthattoconcealhiswoundwasmoredifficultthanhehadanticipated。When，atteatime，onthedeckofthewar—ship，heagainmetSenatorHanleyandtheguestsoftheSERAPIS，hecouldnotforgetthathiscareerhadcometoanend。
Therewasmuchtoremindhimthatthiswasso。Hewasmadeawareofitbythesad，sympatheticglancesofthewomen；bytheirtactfulcourtesies；bythefactthatLivingstone，anxioustopropitiateHanley，treatedhimrudely；bythesightoftheyoungofficers，eachjuststartinguponacareerofhonor，andpossibleglory，ashiscareerendedinhumiliation；andbythebigwar—shipherself，thatrecalledcertaincriseswhenhehadonlytopressabuttonandwar—shipshadcomeathisbidding。
Atfiveo’clocktherewasanawkwardmoment。TheRoyalMailboat，havingtakenonhercargo，passedoutoftheharboronherwaytoJamaica，anddippedhercolors。SenatorHanley，abandonedtohisfate，observedherdepartureinsilence。
Livingstone，hoveringathisside，askedsympathetically：\"Havetheyansweredyourcable，sir？\"\"Theyhave，\"saidHanleygruffly。
\"Wasit——wasitsatisfactory？\"pursuedthediplomat。\"ItWAS，\"saidthesenator，withemphasis。
Farfromdiscouraged，Livingstonecontinuedhisinquiries。
\"Andwhen，\"heaskedeagerly，\"areyougoingtotellhim？\"
\"Now！\"saidthesenator。
Theguestswereleavingtheship。Whenallwereseatedintheadmiral’ssteamlaunch，theadmiraldescendedtheaccommodationladderandhimselfpickedupthetillerropes。
\"Mr。Marshall，\"hecalled，\"whenIbringthelaunchbroadsidetotheshipandstopher，youwillstandreadytoreceivetheconsul’ssalute。\"
Involuntarily，Marshallutteredanexclamationofprotest。Hehadforgottenthatonleavingthewar—ship，asconsul，hewasentitledtosevenguns。Hadheremembered，hewouldhaveinsistedthattheceremonybeomitted。Heknewthattheadmiralwishedtoshowhisloyalty，knewthathisoldfriendwasnowpayinghimthishonoronlyasarebuketoHanley。Buttheceremonywasnolongeranhonor。Hanleyhadmadeofitamockery。Itservedonlytoemphasizewhathadbeentakenfromhim。But，withoutascene，itnowwastoolatetoavoidit。Thefirstofthesevengunshadroaredfromthebow，and，asoftenhehadstoodbefore，asneverhewouldsostandagain，Marshalltookhisplaceatthegangwayofthelaunch。Hiseyeswerefixedontheflag，hisgrayheadwasuncovered，hishatwaspressedabovehisheart。
ForthefirsttimesinceHanleyhadlefttheconsulate，hefellintosuddenterrorlesthemightgivewaytohisemotions。
Indignantatthethought，heheldhimselferect。Hisfacewassetlikeamask，hiseyeswereuntroubled。Hewasdeterminedtheyshouldnotseethathewassuffering。
Anothergunspatoutaburstofwhitesmoke，astabofflame。Therewasanechoingroar。Anotherandanotherfollowed。Marshallcountedseven，andthen，withabowtotheadmiral，backedfromthegangway。
Andthenanothergunshatteredthehot，heavysilence。Marshall，confused，embarrassed，assuminghehadcountedwrong，hastilyreturnedtohisplace。Butagainbeforehecouldleaveit，insavagehasteaninthgunroaredoutitsgreeting。Hecouldnotstillbemistaken。Heturnedappealinglytohisfriend。Theeyesoftheadmiralwerefixeduponthewar—ship。Againagunshatteredthesilence。Wasitajest？Weretheylaughingathim？Marshallflushedmiserably。Hegaveaswiftglancetowardtheothers。Theyweresmiling。Thenitwasajest。Behindhisback，somethingofwhichtheyallwerecognizantwasgoingforward。ThefaceofLivingstonealonebetrayedalikebewildermenttohisown。Buttheothers，whoknew，weremockinghim。
ForthethirteenthtimeagunshookthebroodingswamplandofPortoBanos。Andthen，andnotuntilthen，didtheflagcrawlslowlyfromthemast—head。MaryCairnsbrokethetensenessbyburstingintotears。ButMarshallsawthateveryoneelse，savesheandLivingstone，werestillsmiling。Eventhebluejacketsinchargeofthelaunchweregrinningathim。Hewasbesetbysmilingfaces。
Andthenfromthewar—ship，unchecked，came，againstallregulations，threelong，splendidcheers。
Marshallfelthislipsquivering，thewarmtearsforcingtheirwaytohiseyes。Heturnedbeseechinglytohisfriend。Hisvoicetrembled。
\"Charles，\"hebegged，\"aretheylaughingatme？\"
Eagerly，beforetheotherwouldanswer，SenatorHanleytossedhiscigarintothewaterand，scramblingforward，seizedMarshallbythehand。
\"Mr。Marshall，\"hecried，\"ourPresidenthasgreatfaithinAbrahamLincoln’sjudgmentofmen。AndthissalutemeansthatthismorningheappointedyouournewministertoTheHague。I’moneofthosepoliticianswhokeepshisword。ITOLDYOUI’dtakeyourtinsignawayfromyoubysunset。I’vedoneit！\"