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。\"