TheOldTimeJournalistwilltellyouthatthebestreporteristheonewhoworkshiswayup。Heholdsthattheonlywaytostartisasaprinter’sdevilorasanofficeboy，tolearnintimetosettype，tograduatefromacompositorintoastenographer，andasastenographertakedownspeechesatpublicmeetings，andsofinallygrowintoarealreporter，withafirebadgeonyourleftsuspender，andaspeakingacquaintancewithallthegreatestmeninthecity，notevenexceptingPoliceCaptains。
Thatistheoldtimejournalist’sideaofit。Thatisthewayhewastrained，andthatiswhyattheageofsixtyheisstillareporter。Ifyoutrainupayouthinthisway，hewillgointoreportingwithtoofullaknowledgeofthenewspaperbusiness，withnoillusionsconcerningit，andwithnoignorantenthusiasms，butwithakeenandjustifiableimpressionthatheisnotpaidenoughforwhathedoes。Andhewillonlydowhatheispaidtodo。
Now，youcannotpayagoodreporterforwhathedoes，becausehedoesnotworkforpay。Heworksforhispaper。Hegiveshistime，hishealth，hisbrains，hissleepinghours，andhiseatinghours，andsometimeshislife，togetnewsforit。Hethinksthesunrisesonlythatmenmayhavelightbywhichtoreadit。Butifhehasbeeninanewspaperofficefromhisyouthup，hefindsoutbeforehebecomesareporterthatthisisnotso，andloseshisrealvalue。HeshouldcomerightoutoftheUniversitywherehehasbeendoing\"campusnotes\"forthecollegeweekly，andbepitchforkedoutintocityworkwithoutknowingwhethertheBatteryisatHarlemorHunter’sPoint，andwiththeideathatheisaMoulderofPublicOpinionandthatthePowerofthePressisgreaterthanthePowerofMoney，andthatthefewlineshewritesareofmorevalueintheEditor’seyesthanisthecolumnofadvertisingonthelastpage，whichtheyarenot。
Afterthreeyears——itissometimeslonger，sometimesnotsolong——hefindsoutthathehasgivenhisnervesandhisyouthandhisenthusiasminexchangeforageneralfundofmiscellaneousknowledge，theopportunityofpersonalencounterwithallthegreatestandmostremarkablemenandeventsthathaveriseninthosethreeyears，andagreatfundofresourceandpatience。Hewillfindthathehascrowdedtheexperiencesofthelifetimeoftheordinaryyoungbusinessman，doctor，orlawyer，ormanabouttown，intothreeshortyears；thathehaslearnedtothinkandtoactquickly，tobepatientandunmovedwheneveryoneelsehaslosthishead，actuallyorfigurativelyspeaking；towriteasfastasanothermancantalk，andtobeabletotalkwithauthorityonmattersofwhichothermendonotventureeventothinkuntiltheyhavereadwhathehaswrittenwithacopy-boyathiselbowonthenightprevious。
Itisnecessaryforyoutoknowthis，thatyoumayunderstandwhatmannerofmanyoungAlbertGordonwas。
YoungGordonhadbeenareporterjustthreeyears。HehadleftYalewhenhislastlivingrelativedied，andhadtakenthemorningtrainforNewYork，wheretheyhadpromisedhimreportorialworkononeoftheinnumerableGreatestNewYorkDailies。Hearrivedattheofficeatnoon，andwassentbackoverthesameroadonwhichhehadjustcome，toSpuytenDuyvil，whereatrainhadbeenwreckedandeverybodyofconsequencetosuburbanNewYorkkilled。Oneoftheoldreportershurriedhimtotheofficeagainwithhis\"copy，\"andafterhehaddeliveredthat，hewassenttotheTombstotalkFrenchtoamaninMurderers’Row，whocouldnottalkanythingelse，butwhohadshownsomeinternationalskillintheuseofajimmy。Andateight，hecoveredaflower-showinMadisonSquareGarden；andatelevenwassentovertheBrooklynBridgeinacabtowatchafireandmakeguessesatthelossestotheinsurancecompanies。
Hewenttobedatone，anddreamedofshatteredlocomotives，humanbeingslyingstillwithblanketsoverthem，rowsofcells，andbanksofbeautifulflowersnoddingtheirheadstothetunesofthebrassbandinthegallery。Hedecidedwhenheawokethenextmorningthathehadentereduponapicturesqueandexcitingcareer，andasonedayfollowedanother，hebecamemoreandmoreconvincedofit，andmoreandmoredevotedtoit。Hewastwentythen，andhewasnowtwenty-three，andinthattimehadbecomeagreatreporter，andhadbeentoPresidentialconventionsinChicago，revolutionsinHayti，IndianoutbreaksonthePlains，andmidnightmeetingsofmoonlightersinTennessee，andhadseenwhatworkearthquakes，floods，fire，andfevercoulddoingreatcities，andhadcontradictedthePresident，andborrowedmatchesfromburglars。Andnowhethoughthewouldliketorestandbreatheabit，andnottoworkagainunlessasawarcorrespondent。Theonlyobstacletohisbecomingagreatwarcorrespondentlayinthefactthattherewasnowar，andawarcorrespondentwithoutawarisaboutasabsurdanindividualasageneralwithoutanarmy。Hereadthepaperseverymorningontheelevatedtrainsforwarclouds；butthoughthereweremanywarclouds，theyalwaysdriftedapart，andpeacesmiledagain。ThiswasverydisappointingtoyoungGordon，andhebecamemoreandmorekeenlydiscouraged。
Andthenaswarworkwasoutofthequestion，hedecidedtowritehisnovel。ItwastobeanovelofNewYorklife，andhewantedaquietplaceinwhichtoworkonit。Hewasalreadymakinginquiriesamongthesuburbanresidentsofhisacquaintanceforjustsuchaquietspot，whenhereceivedanoffertogototheIslandofOpekiintheNorthPacificOcean，assecretarytotheAmericanconsulatthatplace。ThegentlemanwhohadbeenappointedbythePresidenttoactasconsulatOpekiwasCaptainLeonardT。Travis，aveteranoftheCivilWar，whohadcontractedasevereattackofrheumatismwhilecampingoutatnightinthedew，andwhoonaccountofthissouvenirofhiseffortstosavetheUnionhadallowedtheUnionhehadsavedtosupporthiminoneofficeoranothereversince。HehadmetyoungGordonatadinner，andhadhadthepresumptiontoaskhimtoserveashissecretary，andGordon，muchtohissurprise，hadacceptedhisoffer。Theideaofaquietlifeinthetropicswithnewandbeautifulsurroundings，andwithnothingtodoandplentyoftimeinwhichtodoit，andtowritehisnovelbesides，seemedtoAlberttobejustwhathewanted；andthoughhedidnotknownorcaremuchforhissuperiorofficer，heagreedtogowithhimpromptly，andproceededtosaygood-bytohisfriendsandtomakehispreparations。CaptainTraviswassodelightedwithgettingsuchacleveryounggentlemanforhissecretary，thathereferredtohimtohisfriendsas\"myattacheoflegation；\"nordidhelessenthatgentleman’sdignitybytellinganyonethattheattache’ssalarywastobefivehundreddollarsayear。Hisownsalarywasonlyfifteenhundreddollars；andthoughhisbrother-in-law，SenatorRainsford，triedhisbesttogettheamountraised，hewasunsuccessful。
TheconsulshiptoOpekiwasinstitutedearlyinthe’50’s，togetridofandrewardathirdorfourthcousinofthePresident’s，whoseservicesduringthecampaignwereimportant，butwhoseafter-presencewasembarrassing。HehadbeencreatedconsultoOpekiasbeingmoredistantandunaccessiblethananyotherknownspot，andhadlivedanddiedthere；andsolittlewasknownoftheisland，andsodifficultwascommunicationwithit，thatnooneknewhewasdead，untilCaptainTravis，inhishungryhasteforoffice，haduprootedthesadfact。CaptainTravis，aswellasAlbert，hadasecondaryreasonforwishingtovisitOpeki。Hisphysicianhadtoldhimtogotosomewarmclimateforhisrheumatism，andinacceptingtheconsulshiphisobjectwasrathertofollowouthisdoctor’sordersathiscountry’sexpense，thantoservehiscountryattheexpenseofhisrheumatism。
AlbertcouldlearnbutverylittleofOpeki；nothing，indeed，butthatitwassituatedaboutonehundredmilesfromtheIslandofOctavia，whichisland，inturn，wassimplydescribedasacoaling-stationthreehundredmilesdistantfromthecoastofCalifornia。SteamersfromSanFranciscotoYokohamastoppedeverythirdweekatOctavia，andthatwasallthateitherCaptainTravisorhissecretarycouldlearnoftheirnewhome。Thiswassoverylittle，thatAlbertstipulatedtostayonlyaslongashelikedit，andtoreturntotheStateswithinafewmonthsifhefoundsuchachangeofplandesirable。
Ashewasgoingtowhatwasanalmostundiscoveredcountry，hethoughtitwouldbeadvisabletofurnishhimselfwithasupplyofarticleswithwhichhemighttradewiththenativeOpekians，andforthispurposehepurchasedalargequantityofbrassrods，becausehehadreadthatStanleydidso，andaddedtothese，brasscurtain-chains，andabouttwohundredleadenmedalssimilartothosesoldbystreetpedlersduringtheConstitutionalCentennialcelebrationinNewYorkCity。
HealsocollectedevenmorebeautifulbutlessexensivedecorationsforChristmas-trees，atawholsesalehouseonParkRow。Thesehehopedtoexchangeforfursorfeathersorweapons，orforwhateverothercuriousandvaluabletrophiestheIslandofOpekiboasted。Healreadypicturedhisroomsonhisreturnhungfantasticallywithcrossedspearsandboomerangs，featherhead-dresses，anduglyidols。
Hisfriendstoldhimthathewasdoingaveryfoolishthing，andarguedthatonceoutofthenewspaperworld，itwouldbehardtoregainhisplaceinit。ButhethoughtthenovelthathewouldwritewhilelosttotheworldatOpekiwouldservetomakeupforhistemporaryabsencefromit，andheexpresslyandimpressivelystipulatedthattheeditorshouldwirehimiftherewasawar。
CaptainTravisandhissecretarycrossedthecontinentwithoutadventure，andtookpassagefromSanFranciscoonthefirststeamerthattouchedatOctavia。Theyreachedthatislandinthreedays，andlearnedwithsomeconcernthattherewasnoregularcommunicationwithOpeki，andthatitwouldbenecessarytocharterasailboatforthetrip。Twofishermenagreedtotakethemandtheirtrunks，andtogetthemtotheirdestinationwithinsixteenhoursifthewindheldgood。Itwasamostunpleasantsail。Therainfellwithcalm，unrelentlesspersistencefromwhatwasapparentlyaclearsky；
thewindtossedthewavesashighasthemastandmadeCaptainTravisill；andastherewasnodecktothebigboat，theywereforcedtohuddleupunderpiecesofcanvas，andtalkedbutlittle。CaptainTraviscomplainedoffrequenttwingesofrheumatism，andgazedforlornlyoverthegunwaleattheemptywasteofwater。
\"IfI’vegottoserveatermofimprisonmentonarockinthemiddleoftheoceanforfouryears，\"hesaid，\"Imightjustaswellhavedonesomethingfirsttodeserveit。Thisisaprettywaytotreatamanwhobledforhiscountry。Thisisgratitude，thisis。\"Albertpulledheavilyonhispipe，andwipedtherainandsprayfromhisfaceandsmiled。
\"Oh，itwon’tbesobadwhenwegetthere，\"hesaid；\"theysaytheseSouthernpeoplearealwayshospitable，andthewhiteswillbegladtoseeanyonefromtheStates。\"
\"Therewillbearoundofdiplomaticdinners，\"saidtheconsul，withanattemptatcheerfulness。\"Ihavebroughttwouniformstowearatthem。\"
Itwasseveno’clockintheeveningwhentherainceased，andoneoftheblack，half-nakedfishermennoddedandpointedatalittlelowlineonthehorizon。
\"Opeki，\"hesaid。Thelinegrewinlengthuntilitprovedtobeanislandwithgreatmountainsrisingtotheclouds，and，astheydrewnearerandnearer，showedalevelcoastrunningbacktothefootofthemountainsandcoveredwithaforestofpalms。Theynextmadeoutavillageofthatchedhutsaroundagrassysquare，andatsomedistancefromthevillageawoodenstructurewithatinroof。
\"Iwonderwherethetownis，\"askedtheconsul，withanervousglanceatthefishermen。Oneofthemtoldhimthatwhathesawwasthetown。
\"That？\"gaspedtheconsul。\"Isthatwhereallthepeopleontheislandlive？\"
Thefishermannodded；buttheotheraddedthattherewereothernativesfurtherbackinthemountains，butthattheywerebadmenwhofoughtandateeachother。Theconsulandhisattacheoflegationgazedatthemountainswithunspokenmisgivings。Theywerequitenearnow，andcouldseeanimmensecrowdofmenandwomen，allofthemblack，andcladbutinthesimplestgarments，waitingtoreceivethem。Theyseemedgreatlyexcitedandraninandoutofthehuts，andupanddownthebeach，aswildlyassomanyblackants。Butinthefrontofthegrouptheydistinguishedthreemenwhotheycouldseewerewhite，thoughtheywereclothed，liketheothers，simplyinashirtandashortpairoftrousers。Twoofthesethreesuddenlysprangawayonarunanddisappearedamongthepalm-trees；butthethirdone，whenherecognizedtheAmericanflaginthehalyards，threwhisstrawhatinthewaterandbeganturninghandspringsoverthesand。
\"Thatyounggentleman，atleast，\"saidAlbert，gravely，\"seemspleasedtoseeus。\"
Adozenofthenativessprangintothewaterandcamewadingandswimmingtowardthem，grinningandshoutingandswingingtheirarms。
\"Idon’tthinkit’squitesafe，doyou？\"saidtheconsul，lookingoutwildlytotheopensea。\"Yousee，theydon’tknowwhoIam。\"
AgreatblackgiantthrewonearmoverthegunwaleandshoutedsomethingthatsoundedasifitwerespeltOwah，Owah，astheboatcarriedhimthroughthesurf。
\"Howdoyoudo？\"saidGordon，doubtfully。TheboatshookthegiantoffunderthewaveandbeacheditselfsosuddenlythattheAmericanconsulwasthrownforwardtohisknees。Gordondidnotwaittopickhimup，butjumpedoutandshookhandswiththeyoungmanwhohadturnedhandsprings，whilethenativesgatheredabouttheminacircleandchattedandlaughedindelightedexcitement。
\"I’mawfullygladtoseeyou，\"saidtheyoungman，eagerly。
\"Myname’sStedman。I’mfromNewHaven，Connecticut。Whereareyoufrom？\"
\"NewYork，\"saidAlbert。\"This，\"headded，pointingsolemnlytoCaptainTravis，whowasstillonhiskneesintheboat，\"istheAmericanconsultoOpeki。\"TheAmericanconsultoOpekigaveawildlookatMr。StedmanofNewHavenandatthenatives。
\"Seehere，youngman，\"hegasped，\"isthisallthereisofOpeki？\"
\"TheAmericanconsul？\"saidyoungStedman，withagaspofamazement，andlookingfromAlberttoCaptainTravis。\"Why，I
neversupposedtheywouldsendanotherhere；thelastonediedaboutfifteenyearsago，andtherehasn’tbeenonesince。
I’vebeenlivingintheconsul’sofficewiththeBradleys，butI’llmoveout，ofcourse。I’msureI’mawfullygladtoseeyou。It’llmakeitsomuchmorepleasantforme。\"
\"Yes，\"saidCaptainTravis，bitterly，asheliftedhisrheumaticlegovertheboat；\"that’swhywecame。\"
Mr。Stedmandidnotnoticethis。Hewastoomuchpleasedtobeanythingbuthospitable。\"Youaresoakingwet，aren’tyou？\"hesaid；\"andhungry，Iguess。Youcomerightovertotheconsul’sofficeandgetonsomeotherthings。\"
Heturnedtothenativesandgavesomerapidordersintheirlanguage，andsomeofthemjumpedintotheboatatthis，andbegantoliftoutthetrunks，andothersranofftowardalarge，stoutoldnative，whowassittinggravelyonalog，smoking，withtherainbeatingunnoticedonhisgrayhair。
\"They’vegonetotelltheKing，\"saidStedman；\"butyou’dbettergetsomethingtoeatfirst，andthenI’llbehappytopresentyouproperly。\"
\"TheKing，\"saidCaptainTravis，withsomeawe；\"isthereaking？\"
\"Ineversawaking，\"Gordonremarked，\"andI’msureIneverexpectedtoseeonesittingonalogintherain。\"
\"He’saverygoodking，\"saidStedman，confidentially；\"andthoughyoumightn’tthinkittolookathim，he’saterriblesticklerforetiquetteandform。Aftersupperhe’llgiveyouanaudience；andifyouhaveanytobacco，youhadbettergivehimsomeasapresent，andyou’dbettersayit’sfromthePresident：hedoesn’tliketotakepresentsfromcommonpeople，he’ssoproud。TheonlyreasonheborrowsmineisbecausehethinksI’mthePresident’sson。\"
\"Whatmakeshimthinkthat？\"demandedtheconsul，withsomeshortness。YoungMr。StedmanlookednervouslyattheconsulandatAlbert，andsaidthatheguessedsomeonemusthavetoldhim。
Theconsul’sofficewasdividedintofourroomswithanopencourtinthemiddle，filledwithpalms，andwateredsomewhatunnecessarilybyafountain。
\"Imadethat，\"saidStedman，inamodest，offhandway。\"I
madeitoutofhollowbambooreedsconnectedwithaspring。
AndnowI’mmakingonefortheKing。Hesawthisandhadalotofbamboosticksputupalloverthetown，withoutanyundergroundconnections，andcouldn’tmakeoutwhythewaterwouldn’tspurtoutofthem。Andbecauseminespurts，hethinksI’mamagician。\"
\"Isuppose，\"grumbledtheconsul，\"someonetoldhimthattoo。\"
\"Isupposeso，\"saidMr。Stedman，uneasily。
Therewasaverandaaroundtheconsul’soffice，andinsidethewallswerehungwithskins，andpicturesfromillustratedpapers，andtherewasagooddealofbamboofurniture，andfourbroad，cool-lookingbeds。Theplacewasascleanasakitchen。\"Imadethefurniture，\"saidStedman，\"andtheBradleyskeeptheplaceinorder。\"
\"WhoaretheBradleys？\"askedAlbert。
\"TheBradleysarethosetwomenyousawwithme，\"saidStedman；\"theydesertedfromaBritishman-of-warthatstoppedhereforcoal，andtheyactasmyservants。OneisBradley，Sr。，andtheotherBradley，Jr。\"
\"Thenvesselsdostophereoccasionally？\"theconsulsaid，withapleasedsmile。
\"Well，notoften，\"saidStedman。\"Notsoveryoften；aboutonceayear。TheNelsonthoughtthiswasOctavia，andputoffagainassoonasshefoundouthermistake，buttheBradleystooktothebush，andtheboat’screwcouldn’tfindthem。
Whentheysawyourflag，theythoughtyoumightmeantosendthemback，sotheyranofftohideagain；they’llbeback，though，whentheygethungry。\"
ThesupperyoungStedmanspreadforhisguests，ashestilltreatedthem，wasveryrefreshingandverygood。Therewascoldfishandpigeon-pie，andahotomeletfilledwithmushroomsandolivesandtomatoesandonionsallsliceduptogether，andstrongblackcoffee。Aftersupper，StedmanwentofftoseetheKing，andcamebackinalittlewhiletosaythathisMajestywouldgivethemanaudiencethenextdayafterbreakfast。\"Itistoodarknow，\"Stedmanexplained；
\"andit’srainingsothattheycan’tmakethestreet-lampsburn。Didyouhappentonoticeourlamps？Iinventedthem；
buttheydon’tworkverywellyet。I’vegottherightidea，though，andI’llsoonhavethetownilluminatedallover，whetheritrainsornot。\"
Theconsulhadbeenverysilentandindifferent，duringsupper，toallaroundhim。Nowhelookedupwithsomeshowofinterest。
\"Howmuchlongerisitgoingtorain，doyouthink？\"heasked。
\"Oh，Idon’tknow，\"saidStedman，critically。\"Notmorethantwomonths，Ishouldsay。\"Theconsulrubbedhisrheumaticlegandsighed，butsaidnothing。
TheBradleysreturnedaboutteno’clock，andcameinverysheepishly。Theconsulhadgoneofftopaytheboatmenwhohadbroughtthem，andAlbertinhisabsenceassuredthesailorsthattherewasnottheleastdangeroftheirbeingsentaway。Thenheturnedintooneofthebeds，andStedmantookoneinanotherroom，leavingtheroomhehadoccupiedheretoforefortheconsul。Ashewassayinggood-night，Albertsuggestedthathehadnotyettoldthemhowhecametobeonadesertedisland；butStedmanonlylaughedandsaidthatthatwasalongstory，andthathewouldtellhimallaboutitinthemorning。SoAlbertwentofftobedwithoutwaitingfortheconsultoreturn，andfellasleep，wonderingatthestrangenessofhisnewlife，andassuringhimselfthatiftherainonlykeptup，hewouldhavehisnovelfinishedinamonth。
Thesunwasshiningbrightlywhenheawoke，andthepalm-treesoutsidewerenoddinggracefullyinawarmbreeze。Fromthecourtcametheodorofstrangeflowers，andfromthewindowhecouldseetheoceanbrilliantlyblue，andwiththesuncoloringthespraythatbeatagainstthecoralreefsontheshore。
\"Well，theconsulcan’tcomplainofthis，\"hesaid，withalaughofsatisfaction；andpullingonabath-robe，hesteppedintothenextroomtoawakenCaptainTravis。Buttheroomwasquiteempty，andthebedundisturbed。Theconsul’strunkremainedjustwhereithadbeenplacednearthedoor，andonitlayalargesheetoffoolscap，withwritingonit，andaddressedatthetoptoAlbertGordon。Thehandwritingwastheconsul’s。Albertpickeditupandreaditwithmuchanxiety。Itbeganabruptly——
\"Thefishermenwhobroughtustothisforsakenspottellmethatitrainsheresixmonthsintheyear，andthatthisisthefirstmonth。Icameheretoservemycountry，forwhichI
foughtandbled，butIdidnotcomeheretodieofrheumatismandpneumonia。Icanservemycountrybetterbystayingalive；andwhetheritrainsornot，Idon’tlikeit。Ihavebeengrosslydeceived，andIamgoingback。Indeed，bythetimeyougetthis，Iwillbeonmyreturntrip，asIintendleavingwiththemenwhobroughtushereassoonastheycangetthesailup。Mycousin，SenatorRainsford，canfixitallrightwiththePresident，andcanhavemerecalledinproperformafterIgetback。Butofcourseitwouldnotdoformetoleavemypostwithnoonetotakemyplace，andnoonecouldbemoreablyfittedtodosothanyourself；soIfeelnocompunctionsatleavingyoubehind。Ihereby，therefore，accordinglyappointyoumysubstitutewithfullpowertoact，tocollectallfees，signallpapers，andattendtoallmatterspertainingtoyourofficeasAmericanconsul，andI
trustyouwillworthilyupholdthenameofthatcountryandgovernmentwhichithasalwaysbeenmypleasureanddutytoserve。
\"Yoursincerefriendandsuperiorofficer，\"LEONARDT。TRAVIS。
\"P。S。Ididnotcaretodisturbyoubymovingmytrunk，soI
leftit，andyoucanmakewhatuseyoupleaseofwhateveritcontains，asIshallnotwanttropicalgarmentswhereIamgoing。Whatyouwillneedmost，Ithink，isawaterproofandumbrella。
\"P。S。LookoutforthatyoungmanStedman。Heistooinventive。Ihopeyouwilllikeyourhighoffice；butasformyself，IamsatisfiedwithlittleoldNewYork。Opekiisjustabittoofarfromcivilizationtosuitme。\"
Albertheldtheletterbeforehimandreaditoveragainbeforehemoved。Thenhejumpedtothewindow。Theboatwasgone，andtherewasnotasignofitonthehorizon。
\"Themiserableoldhypocrite！\"hecried，halfangryandhalflaughing。\"IfhethinksIamgoingtostayherealoneheisverygreatlymistaken。Andyet，whynot？\"heasked。Hestoppedsoliloquizingandlookedaroundhim，thinkingrapidly。
Ashestoodthere，Stedmancameinfromtheotherroom，freshandsmilingfromhismorning’sbath。
\"Good-morning，\"hesaid，\"where’stheconsul？\"
\"Theconsul，\"saidAlbert，gravely，\"isbeforeyou。InmeyouseetheAmericanconsultoOpeki。
\"CaptainTravis，\"Albertexplained，\"hasreturnedtotheUnitedStates。Isupposehefeelsthathecanbestservehiscountrybyremainingonthespot。Incaseofanotherwar，now，forinstance，hewouldbetheretosaveitagain。\"
\"Andwhatareyougoingtodo？\"askedStedman，anxiously。
\"Youwillnotrunawaytoo，willyou？\"
Albertsaidthatheintendedtoremainwherehewasandperformhisconsularduties，toappointhimhissecretary，andtoelevatetheUnitedStatesintheopinionoftheOpekiansaboveallothernations。
\"TheymaynotthinkmuchoftheUnitedStatesinEngland，\"hesaid；\"butwearegoingtoteachthepeopleofOpekithatAmericaisfirstonthemapandthatthereisnosecond。\"
\"I’msureit’sverygoodofyoutomakemeyoursecretary，\"
saidStedman，withsomepride。\"IhopeIwon’tmakeanymistakes。Whatarethedutiesofaconsul’ssecretary？\"
\"That，\"saidAlbert，\"Idonotknow。Butyouarerathergoodatinventing，soyoucaninventafew。Thatshouldbeyourfirstdutyandyoushouldattendtoitatonce。Iwillhavetroubleenoughfindingworkformyself。Yoursalaryisfivehundreddollarsayear；andnow，\"hecontinued，briskly，\"wewanttoprepareforthisreception。WecantelltheKingthatTraviswasjustaguardofhonorforthetrip，andthatIhavesenthimbacktotellthePresidentofmysafearrival。ThatwillkeepthePresidentfromgettinganxious。Thereisnothing，\"continuedAlbert，\"likeauniformtoimpresspeoplewholiveinthetropics，andTravis，itsohappens，hastwoinhistrunk。HeintendedtowearthemonStateoccasions，andasIinheritthetrunkandallthatisinit，Iintendtowearoneoftheuniforms，andyoucanhavetheother。ButIhavefirstchoice，becauseIamconsul。\"
CaptainTravis’sconsularoutfitconsistedofonefulldressandoneundressUnitedStatesuniform。Albertputonthedress-coatoverapairofwhiteflanneltrousers，andlookedremarkablybraveandhandsome。Stedman，whowasonlyeighteenandquitethin，didnotappearsowell，untilAlbertsuggestedhispaddingouthischestandshoulderswithtowels。Thismadehimratherwarm，buthelpedhisgeneralappearance。
\"ThetwoBradleysmustdressup，too，\"saidAlbert。\"Ithinktheyoughttoactasaguardofhonor，don’tyou？TheonlythingsIhaveareblazersandjerseys；butitdoesn’tmuchmatterwhattheywear，aslongastheydressalike。\"
HeaccordinglycalledinthetwoBradleys，andgavethemeachapairofthecaptain’srejectedwhiteducktrousers，andabluejerseyapiece，withabigwhiteYonit。
\"ThestudentsofYalegavemethat，\"hesaidtotheyoungerBradley，\"inwhichtoplayfootball，andagreatmangavemetheother。HisnameisWalterCamp；andifyouriporsoilthatjersey，I’llsendyoubacktoEnglandinirons；sobecareful。\"
Stedmangazedathiscompanionsintheirdifferentcostumes，doubtfully。\"Itremindsme，\"hesaid，\"ofprivatetheatricals。Ofthetimeourchurchchoirplayed`Pinafore。’\"
\"Yes，\"assentedAlbert；\"butIdon’tthinkwelookquitegayenough。Itellyouwhatweneed，——medals。Youneversawadiplomatwithoutalotofdecorationsandmedals。\"
\"Well，Icanfixthat，\"Stedmansaid。\"I’vegotatrunkful。
Iusedtobethefastestbicycle-riderinConnecticut，andI’vegotallmyprizeswithme。\"
Albertsaiddoubtfullythatthatwasn’texactlythesortofmedalhemeant。
\"Perhapsnot，\"returnedStedman，ashebeganfumblinginhistrunk；\"buttheKingwon’tknowthedifference。Hecouldn’ttellacrossoftheLegionofHonorfromamedalforthetugofwar。\"
Sothebicyclemedals，ofwhichStedmanseemedtohaveaninnumerablequantity，werestrunginprofusionoverAlbert’suniform，andinalesserquantityoverStedman’s；whileahandfulofleadenones，thosesoldonthestreetsfortheConstitutionalCentennial，withwhichAlberthadprovidedhimself，werewrappedupinaredsilkhandkerchiefforpresentationtotheKing；withthemAlbertplacedanumberofbrassrodsandbrasschains，muchtoStedman’sdelightedapproval。
\"Thatisaverygoodidea，\"hesaid。\"Democraticsimplicityistherightthingathome，ofcourse；butwhenyougoabroadandmixwithcrownedheads，youwanttoshowthemthatyouknowwhat’swhat。\"
\"Well，\"saidAlbert，gravely，\"Isincerelyhopethiscrownedheaddon’tknowwhat’swhat。Ifhereads`ConnecticutAgriculturalStateFair。Onemilebicyclerace。FirstPrize，’onthisbadge，whenwearetryingtomakehimbelieveit’sawarmedal，itmayhurthisfeelings。\"
Bradley，Jr。，wentaheadtoannouncetheapproachoftheAmericanembassy，whichhedidwithsomuchmannerthattheKingdeferredtheaudienceahalf-hour，inorderthathemightbetterpreparetoreceivehisvisitors。Whentheaudiencedidtakeplace，itattractedtheentirepopulationtothegreenspotinfrontoftheKing’spalace，andtheirdelightandexcitementovertheappearanceofthevisitorswassincereandhearty。TheKingwastoopolitetoappearmuchsurprised，butheshowedhisdelightoverhispresentsassimplyandopenlyasachild。ThriceheinsistedonembracingAlbert，andkissinghimthreetimesontheforehead，which，Stedmanassuredhiminaside-whisper，wasagreathonor；anhonorwhichwasnotextendedtothesecretary，althoughhewasgivenanecklaceofanimals’clawsinstead，withwhichhewasbettersatisfied。
Afterthisreception，theembassymarchedbacktotheconsul’soffice，surroundedbyanimmensenumberofthenatives，someofwhomranaheadandlookedbackatthem，andcrowdedsoclosethatthetwoBradleyshadtopokeatthosenearestwiththeirguns。Thecrowdremainedoutsidetheofficeevenaftertheprocessionoffourhaddisappeared，andcheered。ThissuggestedtoGordonthatthiswouldbeagoodtimetomakeaspeech，whichheaccordinglydid，Stedmantranslatingit，sentencebysentence。Attheconclusionofthiseffort，Albertdistributedanumberofbrassringsamongthemarriedmenpresent，whichtheyplacedonwhicheverfingerfittedbest，anddeparteddelighted。
Alberthadwishedtogivetheringstothemarriedwomen，butStedmanpointedouttohimthatitwouldbemuchcheapertogivethemtothemarriedmen；forwhileonewomancouldonlyhaveonehusband，onemancouldhaveatleastsixwives。
\"Andnow，Stedman，\"saidAlbert，afterthemobhadgone，\"tellmewhatyouaredoingonthisisland。\"
\"It’saverysimplestory，\"Stedmansaid。\"Iamtherepresentative，oragent，oroperator，fortheYokohamaCableCompany。TheYokohamaCableCompanyisacompanyorganizedinSanFrancisco，forthepurposeoflayingacabletoYokohama。
Itisastockcompany；andthoughitstartedoutverywell，thestockhasfallenverylow。Betweenourselves，itisnotworthoverthreeorfourcents。Whentheofficersofthecompanyfoundoutthatnoonewouldbuytheirstock，andthatnoonebelievedinthemortheirscheme，theylaidacabletoOctavia，andextendeditontothisisland。Thentheysaidtheyhadrunoutofreadymoney，andwouldwaituntiltheygotmorebeforelayingtheircableanyfarther。Idonotthinktheyeverwilllayitanyfarther，butthatisnoneofmybusiness。MybusinessistoanswercablemessagesfromSanFrancisco，sothatthepeoplewhovisitthehomeofficecanseethatatleastapartofthecableisworking。Thatsometimesimpressesthem，andtheybuystock。ThereisanotherchapoverinOctavia，whorelaysallmymessagesandallmyrepliestothosemessagesthatcometomethroughhimfromSanFrancisco。Theyneversendamessageunlesstheyhavebroughtsomeonetotheofficewhomtheywanttoimpress，andwho，theythink，hasmoneytoinvestintheY。C。C。stock，andsowenevergonearthewire，exceptatthreeo’clockeveryafternoon。Andthengenerallyonlytosay`Howareyou？’or`It’sraining，’orsomethinglikethat。I’vebeensaying`It’sraining，’nowforthelastthreemonths，butto-dayIwillsaythatthenewconsulhasarrived。ThatwillbeapleasantsurpriseforthechapinOctavia，forhemustbetiredhearingabouttheweather。Hegenerallyanswers，`Heretoo，’or`Soyousaid，’orsomethinglikethat。Idon’tknowwhathesaystothehomeoffice。He’sbrighterthanIam，andthat’swhytheyputhimbetweenthetwoends。Hecanseethatthemessagesaretransmittedmorefullyandmorecorrectly，inawaytopleasepossiblesubscribers。\"
\"Sortofcopyeditor，\"suggestedAlbert。
\"Yes，somethingofthatsort，Ifancy，\"saidStedman。
Theywalkeddowntothelittleshedontheshore，wheretheY。C。C。officewasplaced，atthreethatday，andAlbertwatchedStedmansendoffhismessagewithmuchinterest。The\"chapatOctavia，\"onbeinginformedthattheAmericanconsulhadarrivedatOpeki，inquired，somewhatdisrespectfully，\"Isitalifesentence？\"
\"Whatdoeshemeanbythat？\"askedAlbert。
\"Isuppose，\"saidhissecretary，doubtfully，\"thathethinksitasortofapunishmenttobesenttoOpeki。Ihopeyouwon’tgrowtothinkso。\"
\"Opekiisallverywell，\"saidGordon，\"oritwillbewhenwegetthingsgoingourway。\"
Astheywalkedbacktotheoffice，Albertnoticedabrasscannon，perchedonarockattheentrancetotheharbor。Thishadbeenputtherebythelastconsul，butithadnotbeenfiredformanyyears。AlbertimmediatelyorderedthetwoBradleystogetitinorder，andtorigupaflag-polebesideit，foroneofhisAmericanflags，whichtheyweretosaluteeverynightwhentheylowereditatsundown。
\"Andwhenwearenotusingit，\"hesaid，\"theKingcanborrowittocelebratewith，ifhedoesn’timposeonustoooften。
Theroyalsaluteoughttobetwenty-oneguns，Ithink；butthatwoulduseuptoomuchpowder，sohewillhavetocontenthimselfwithtwo。\"
\"Didyounotice，\"askedStedman，thatnight，astheysatontheverandaoftheconsul’shouse，inthemoonlight，\"howthepeoplebowedtousaswepassed？\"
\"Yes，\"Albertsaidhehadnoticedit。\"Why？\"
\"Well，theyneversalutedme，\"repliedStedman。\"Thatsignofrespectisduetotheshowwemadeatthereception。\"
\"Itisduetous，inanyevent，\"saidtheconsul，severely。
\"Itellyou，mysecretary，thatwe，astherepresentativesoftheUnitedStatesGovernment，mustbeproperlyhonoredonthisisland。Wemustbecomeapower。AndwemustdosowithoutgettingintotroublewiththeKing。Wemustmakethemhonorhim，too，andthenaswepushhimup，wewillpushourselvesupatthesametime。\"
\"Theydon’tthinkmuchofconsulsinOpeki，\"saidStedman，doubtfully。\"Youseethelastonewasaprettypoorsort。Hebroughttheofficeintodisrepute，anditwasn’treallyuntilIcameandtoldthemwhatafinecountrytheUnitedStateswas，thattheyhadanyopinionofitatall。Nowwemustchangeallthat。\"
\"Thatisjustwhatwewilldo，\"saidAlbert。\"WewilltransformOpekiintoapowerfulandbeautifulcity。Wewillmakethesepeoplework。TheymustputupapalacefortheKing，andlayoutstreets，andbuildwharves，anddrainthetownproperly，andlightit。Ihaven’tseenthispatentlightingapparatusofyours，butyouhadbettergettoworkatitatonce，andI’llpersuadetheKingtoappointyoucommissionerofhighwaysandgas，withauthoritytomakehispeopletoil。AndI，\"hecried，infreeenthusiasm，\"willorganizeanavyandastandingarmy。Only，\"headded，witharelapseofinterest，\"thereisn’tanybodytofight。\"
\"Thereisn’t？\"saidStedman，grimly，withascornfulsmile。
\"YoujustgohuntupoldMessenwahandtheHillmenwithyourstandingarmyonceandyou’llgetallthefightingyouwant。\"
\"TheHillmen？\"saidAlbert。
\"TheHillmenarethenativesthatliveupthereinthehills，\"
Stedmansaid，noddinghisheadtowardthethreehighmountainsattheotherendoftheisland，thatstoodoutblacklyagainstthepurple，moonlitsky。\"TherearenearlyasmanyofthemasthereareOpekians，andtheyhuntandfightforalivingandforthepleasureofit。TheyhaveanoldrascalnamedMessenwahforaking，andtheycomedownhereaboutonceeverythreemonths，andtearthingsup。\"
Albertsprangtohisfeet。
\"Oh，theydo，dothey？\"hesaid，staringupatthemountain-tops。\"Theycomedownhereandtearupthings，dothey？Well，Ithinkwe’llstopthat，Ithinkwe’llstopthat！
Idon’tcarehowmanythereare。I’llgetthetwoBradleystotellmealltheyknowaboutdrilling，to-morrowmorning，andwe’lldrilltheseOpekians，andhaveshambattles，andattacks，andrepulses，untilImakealotofwild，howlingZulusoutofthem。AndwhentheHillmencomedowntopaytheirquarterlyvisit，they’llgobackagainonarun。Atleastsomeofthemwill，\"headded，ferociously。\"Someofthemwillstayrighthere。\"
\"Dearme，dearme！\"saidStedman，withawe；youareabornfighter，aren’tyou？\"
\"Well，youwaitandsee，\"saidGordon；maybeIam。Ihaven’tstudiedtacticsofwarandthehistoryofbattles，sothatI
mightbeagreatwar-correspondent，withoutlearningsomething。Andthereisonlyonekingonthisisland，andthatisoldOllypybushimself。AndI’llgooverandhaveatalkwithhimaboutitto-morrow。\"
YoungStedmanwalkedupanddownthelengthoftheveranda，inandoutofthemoonlight，withhishandsinhispockets，andhisheadonhischest。\"Youhavemeallstirredup，Gordon，\"
hesaid；\"youseemsoconfidentandbold，andyou’renotsomucholderthanIam，either。\"
\"Mytraininghasbeendifferent；that’sall，\"saidthereporter。
\"Yes，\"Stedmansaid，bitterly。\"IhavebeensittinginanofficeeversinceIleftschool，sendingnewsoverawireoracable，andyouhavebeenoutintheworld，gatheringit。\"
\"Andnow，\"saidGordon，smiling，andputtinghisarmaroundtheotherboy’sshoulders，\"wearegoingtomakenewsourselves。\"
\"ThereisonethingIwanttosaytoyoubeforeyouturnin，\"
saidStedman。\"BeforeyousuggestalltheseimprovementsonOllypybus，youmustrememberthathehasruledabsolutelyherefortwentyyears，andthathedoesnotthinkmuchofconsuls。
Hehasonlyseenyourpredecessorandyourself。Helikesyoubecauseyouappearedwithsuchdignity，andbecauseofthepresents；butifIwereyou，Iwouldn’tsuggesttheseimprovementsascomingfromyourself。\"
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"saidGordon；\"whocouldtheycomefrom？\"
\"Well，\"saidStedman，\"ifyouwillallowmetoadvise——andyouseeIknowthesepeopleprettywell——IwouldhaveallthesesuggestionscomefromthePresidentdirect。\"
\"ThePresident！\"exclaimedGordon；\"buthow？WhatdoesthePresidentknoworcareaboutOpeki？anditwouldtakesolong——oh，Isee，thecable。Isthatwhatyouhavebeendoing？\"heasked。
\"Well，onlyonce，\"saidStedman，guiltily；\"thatwaswhenhewantedtoturnmeoutoftheconsul’soffice，andIhadacablethatveryafternoon，fromthePresident，orderingmetostaywhereIwas。Ollypybusdoesn’tunderstandthecable，ofcourse，butheknowsthatitsendsmessages；andsometimesI
pretendtosendmessagesforhimtothePresident；buthebeganaskingmetotellthePresidenttocomeandpayhimavisit，andIhadtostopit。\"
\"I’mgladyoutoldme，\"saidGordon。\"ThePresidentshallbegintocableto-morrow。HewillneedanextraappropriationfromCongresstopayforhisprivatecablegramsalone。\"
\"Andthere’sanotherthing，\"saidStedman。\"Inallyourplans，you’vearrangedforthepeople’simprovement，butnotfortheiramusement；andtheyareapeaceful，jolly，simplesortofpeople，andwemustpleasethem。\"
\"Havetheynogamesoramusementsoftheirown？\"askedGordon。
\"Well，notwhatwewouldcallgames。\"
\"Verywell，then，I’llteachthembase-ball。Foot-ballwouldbetoowarm。ButthatplazainfrontoftheKing’sbungalow，wherehispalaceisgoingtobe，isjusttheplaceforadiamond。Onthewhole，though，\"addedtheconsul，afteramoment’sreflection，\"you’dbetterattendtothatyourself。I
don’tthinkitbecomesmydignityasAmericanconsultotakeoffmycoatandgivelessonstoyoungOpekiansinslidingtobases；doyou？No；Ithinkyou’dbetterdothat。TheBradleyswillhelpyou，andyouhadbetterbeginto-morrow。
Youhavebeenwantingtoknowwhatasecretaryoflegation’sdutiesare，andnowyouknow。It’stoorganizebase-ballnines。Andafteryougetyoursready，\"headded，asheturnedintohisroomforthenight，\"I’lltrainonethatwillsweepyoursoffthefaceoftheisland。ForTHISAmericanconsulcanpitchthreecurves。\"
Thebestlaidplansofmengofarastray，sometimes，andthegreatandbeautifulcitythatwastoriseonthecoastofOpekiwasnotbuiltinaday。Norwasiteverbuilt。ForbeforetheBradleyscouldmarkoutthefoul-linesforthebase-ballfieldontheplaza，orteachtheirstandingarmythegoosestep，orlaybamboopipesforthewater-mains，orclearawaythecactusfortheextensionoftheKing’spalace，theHillmenpaidOpekitheirquarterlyvisit。
AlberthadcalledontheKingthenextmorning，withStedmanashisinterpreter，ashehadsaidhewould，and，withmapsandsketches，hadshownhisMajestywhatheproposedtodotowardimprovingOpekiandennoblingherking，andwhentheKingsawAlbert’sfree-handsketchesofwharveswithtallshipslyingatanchor，androwsofOpekianwarriorswiththeBradleysattheirhead，andthedesignforhisnewpalace，andaroyalsedanchair，hebelievedthatthesethingswerealreadyhis，andnotstillonlyonpaper，andheappointedAlberthisMinisterofWar，StedmanhisMinisterofHomeAffairs，andselectedtwoofhiswisestandoldestsubjectstoservethemasjointadvisers。HisenthusiasmwasevengreaterthanGordon’s，becausehedidnotappreciatethedifficulties。
HethoughtGordonasemi-god，aworkerofmiracles，andurgedtheputtingupofamonumenttohimatonceinthepublicplaza，towhichAlbertobjected，onthegroundthatitwouldbetoosuggestiveofanidol；andtowhichStedmanalsoobjected，butforthelessunselfishreasonthatitwould\"beinthewayofthepitcher’sbox。\"
Theywerefeverishlydiscussingallthesegreatchanges，andStedmanwastranslatingasrapidlyashecouldtranslate，thespeechesoffourdifferentmen——forthetwocounsellorshadbeencalledin——allofwhomwantedtospeakatoncewhentherecamefromoutsideagreatshout，andthescreamsofwomen，andtheclashingofiron，andthepatteringfootstepsofmenrunning。
Astheylookedatoneanotherinstartledsurprise，anativeranintotheroom，followedbyBradley，Jr。，andthrewhimselfdownbeforetheKing。Whilehetalked，beatinghishandsandbowingbeforeOllypybus，Bradley，Jr。，pulledhisforelocktotheconsul，andtoldhowthismanlivedonthefaroutskirtsofthevillage；howhehadbeencapturedwhileouthunting，byanumberoftheHillmen；andhowhehadescapedtotellthepeoplethattheiroldenemieswereonthewar-pathagain，andrapidlyapproachingthevillage。
Outside，thewomenweregatheringintheplaza，withthechildrenaboutthem，andthemenwererunningfromhuttohut，warningtheirfellows，andarmingthemselveswithspearsandswords，andthenativebowsandarrows。
\"Theymighthavewaiteduntilwehadthatarmytrained，\"saidGordon，inatoneofthekeenestdispleasure。\"Tellme，quick，whatdotheygenerallydowhentheycome？\"
\"Stealallthecattleandgoats，andawomanortwo，andsetfiretothehutsintheoutskirts，\"repliedStedman。
\"Well，wemuststopthem，\"saidGordon，jumpingup。\"Wemusttakeoutaflagoftruceandtreatwiththem。TheymustbekeptoffuntilIhavemyarmyinworkingorder。Itismostinconvenient。Iftheyhadonlywaitedtwomonths，now，orsixweekseven，wecouldhavedonesomething；butnowwemustmakepeace。TelltheKingwearegoingouttofixthingswiththem，andtellhimtokeepoffhiswarriorsuntilhelearnswhetherwesucceedorfail。\"
\"But，Gordon！\"gaspedStedman。\"Albert！Youdon’tunderstand。Why，man，thisisn’tastreet-fightoracane-
rush。They’llstickyoufullofspears，danceonyourbody，andeatyou，maybe。Aflagoftruce！——you’retalkingnonsense。Whatdotheyknowofaflagoftruce？\"
\"You’retalkingnonsense，too，\"saidAlbert，\"andyou’retalkingtoyoursuperiorofficer。Ifyouarenotwithmeinthis，gobacktoyourcable，andtellthemaninOctaviathatit’sawarmday，andthatthesunisshining；butifyou’veanyspiritinyou——andIthinkyouhave——runtotheofficeandgetmyWinchesterrifles，andthetwoshotguns，andmyrevolvers，andmyuniform，andalotofbrassthingsforpresents，andrunallthewaythereandback。Andmaketime。
Playyou’reridingabicycleattheAgriculturalFair。\"
Stedmandidnothearthislast，forhewasalreadyoffandaway，pushingthroughthecrowd，andcallingonBradley，Sr。，tofollowhim。Bradley，Jr。，lookedatGordonwitheyesthatsnapped，likeadogthatiswaitingforhismastertothrowastone。
\"IcanfireaWinchester，sir，\"hesaid。\"OldTomcan’t。
He’snogoodatlongrange’ceptwithabiggun，sir。Don’tgivehimtheWinchester。Giveittome，please，sir。\"
AlbertmetStedmanintheplaza，andpulledoffhisblazer，andputonCaptainTravis’s——nowhis——uniformcoat，andhiswhitepithhelmet。
\"Now，Jack，\"hesaid，\"getupthereandtellthesepeoplethatwearegoingouttomakepeacewiththeseHillmen，orbringthembackprisonersofwar。Tellthemwearethepreserversoftheirhomesandwivesandchildren；andyou，Bradley，takethesepresents，andyoungBradley，keepclosetome，andcarrythisrifle。\"
Stedman’sspeechwashotandwildenoughtosuitacriticalandfeverishaudiencebeforeabarricadeinParis。Andwhenhewasthrough，GordonandBradleypunctuatedhisorationbyfiringoffthetwoWinchesterriflesintheair，atwhichthepeoplejumpedandfellontheirknees，andprayedtotheirseveralgods。Thefightingmenofthevillagefollowedthefourwhitementotheoutskirts，andtookuptheirstandthereasStedmantoldthemtodo，andthefourwalkedonovertheroughlyhewnroad，tomeettheenemy。
GordonwalkedwithBradley，Jr。，inadvance。StedmanandoldTomBradleyfollowedclosebehind，withthetwoshot-guns，andthepresentsinabasket。
\"AretheseHillmenusedtoguns？\"askedGordon。Stedmansaidno，theywerenot。
\"Thisshot-gunofmineistheonlyoneontheisland，\"heexplained，\"andwenevercamenearenoughthembeforetodoanythingwithit。Itonlycarriesahundredyards。TheOpekiansnevermakeanyshowofresistance。TheyarequitecontentiftheHillmensatisfythemselveswiththeoutlyinghuts，aslongastheyleavethemandthetownalone；sotheyseldomcometoclosequarters。\"
Thefourmenwalkedonforhalfanhourorsoinsilence，peeringeagerlyoneveryside；butitwasnotuntiltheyhadleftthewoodsandmarchedoutintothelevelstretchofgrassycountrythattheycameupontheenemy。TheHillmenwereaboutfortyinnumber，andwereassavageandugly-lookinggiantsasanyinapicture-book。Theyhadcapturedadozencowsandgoats，andweredrivingthemonbeforethem，astheyadvancedfartheruponthevillage。Whentheysawthefourmen，theygaveamixedchorusofcriesandyells，andsomeofthemstopped，andothersranforward，shakingtheirspears，andshootingtheirbroadarrowsintothegroundbeforethem。Atall，gray-bearded，muscularoldman，withaskirtoffeathersabouthim，andnecklacesofbonesandanimals’clawsaroundhisbarechest，raninfrontofthem，andseemedtobetryingtomakethemapproachmoreslowly。
\"IsthatMessenwah？\"askedGordon。
\"Yes，\"saidStedman；\"heistryingtokeepthemback。Idon’tbelieveheeversawawhitemanbefore。\"
\"Stedman，\"saidAlbert，speakingquickly，\"giveyourguntoBradley，andgoforwardwithyourarmsintheair，andwavingyourhandkerchief，andtellthemintheirlanguagethattheKingiscoming。Iftheygoatyou，BradleyandIwillkillagoatortwo，toshowthemwhatwecandowiththerifles；andifthatdon’tstopthem，wewillshootattheirlegs；andifthatdon’tstopthem——Iguessyou’dbettercomeback，andwe’llallrun。\"
StedmanlookedatAlbert，andAlbertlookedatStedman，andneitherofthemwincedorflinched。
\"Isthisanotherofmysecretary’sduties？\"askedtheyoungerboy。