Theymadeafinemarchinthecool，untilsomeslightmistsgathered，andthentheyhaltedandbreakfastednearasilverykloof，andwateredthecattle。Whilethusemployed，suddenlyagoldentingeseemedtofalllikealashonthevaporsofnight；
　　theyscuddedawaydirectly，asjackalsbeforethelion；thestarspaled，andwithoneincrediblebound，themightysunleapedintothehorizon，androseintothesky。Inamomentallthelesserlampsofheavenwereout，thoughlatesoglorious，andtherewasnothingbutonevastvaultedturquoise，andagreatflamingtopazmountingwitheternalardortoitscentre。
　　ThisdidnotescapeChristopher。"Whatisthis?"saidhe。"Notwilight。Thetropics!"Hemanagedtodigthatwordoutofthepastinamoment。
　　Atteno'clockthesunwassohotthattheyhalted，andlettheoxenloosetillsun-down。Thentheybegantoclimbthemountains。
　　Thewaywassteepandrugged；indeed，soroughinplaces，thatthecattlehadtojumpovertheholes，andasthewagoncouldnotjumpsocleverly，itjoltedappallingly，andmanyascreamissuedforth。
　　Nearthesummit，whenthepoorbeastsweredeadbeat，theygotintocloudsandstorms，andthewindrushedhowlingatthemthroughthenarrowpasswithsuchfuryitflattenedthehorses'ears，andbadefairtosweepthewholecavalcadetotheplainsbelow。
　　ChristopherandDickwalkedclosebehind，undertheleeofthewagon。ChristophersaidinDick'sear，"D'yehearthat?Timetoreeftopsails，captain。"
　　"ItistimetodoSOMETHING，"saidDick。Hetookadvantageofajuttingrock，drewthewagonhalfbehinditandacrosstheroad，proppedthewheelswithstones，andtheyallhuddledtoleeward，manandbeastindiscriminately。
　　"Ah!"saidChristopher，approvingly；"wearelyingto:avery——
　　proper——course。"
　　Theyhuddledandshiveredthreehours，andthenthesunleapedintothesky，andlo!atransformationscene。Thecoldcloudswerefirstrosyfleeces，thengoldenones，thengold-dust，thengone；
　　therainwasbigdiamonds，thencrystalsparks，thengone；therocksandthebushessparkledwithgem-likedrops，andshoneandsmiled。
　　Theshiveringpartybustled，andtoastedthepotentluminaryinhotcoffee；forPhoebe'swagonhadastoveandchimney；andthentheyyokedtheirmiscellaneouscattleagain，andbreastedthehill。
　　Withmanyajump，andbump，andjolt，andscreamfrominside，theyreachedthesummit，andlookeddownonavastslope，floweringbutarid，aregionofgaudysterility。
　　Thedescentwasmoretremendousthantheascent，andPhoebegotout，andtoldChristophershewouldlievercrosstheoceantwicethanthisdreadfulmountainonce。
　　TheHottentotwiththereinswasnowbentlikeabowallthetime，keepingthecattlefromflowingdiverseoverprecipices，andtheKafirwithhiskambokwashere，andthere，andeverywhere，hiswhipflickinglikealancet，andcrackinglikeahorse-pistol，andthepairviedlikeApolloandPan，notwhichcouldsingsweetest，butswearloudest。Havingtheloftyhillforsomehoursbetweenthemandthesun，theybumped，andjolted，andstuckinmud-holes，andfloggedandsworethecattleoutofthemagain，tillatlasttheygottothebottom，whereranaturbidklooforstream。Itwasfordable，buttherecentrainshadlickedawaytheslope；sotheexistingbankwastwofeetabovethestream。Littlereckedthedemondriversortheparchedcattle；intheyplungedpromiscuously，withafloplikethunder，followedbyanawfulsplashing。Thewagonstuckfastinthemud，thehorsestiedthemselvesinaknot，androlledaboutinthestream，andtheoxendrankimperturbably。
　　"Oh，thesalt!thesalt!"screamedPhoebe，andtherocksre-echoedherlamentations。
　　Thewagonwasinextricable，thecattledoneup，thesavageslazy，sotheystayedforseveralhours。Christopherbotanized，butnotalone。PhoebedrewUcatellaapart，andexplainedtoherthatwhenamanisalittlewronginthehead，itmakesachildofhim:"So，"
　　saidshe，"youmustthinkheisyourchild，andneverlethimoutofyoursight。"
　　"Allright，"saidthesableJuno，whospokeEnglishridiculouslywell，andrappedoutidioms；especially"Comeon，"and"Allright。"
　　Aboutdusk，whatthedrivershadforeseen，thoughtheyhadnotthesensetoexplainit，tookplace；thekloofdwindledtoameregutter，andthewagonstuckhighanddry。PhoebewavedherhandkerchieftoUcatella。Ucatella，whohaddoggedChristopheraboutfourhourswithoutaword，nowtookhishand，andsaid，"Mychild，missywantsus；comeon；"andsoledhimunresistingly。
　　Thedrivers，flogginglikedevils，cursingliketroopers，andyellinglikehyenasgonemad，triedtogetthewagonoff；butitwasfastasarock。ThenDickandtheHottentotputtheirshoulderstoonewheel，andtriedtopriseitup，whiletheKafirENCOURAGEDthecattlewithhisthong。Observingthis，Christopherwentin，withhissablecustodianathisheels，andheavedattheotherembeddedwheel。Thewagonwaslifteddirectly，sothatthecattletuggeditout，andtheygotclear。Onexamination，thesalthadjustescaped。
　　SaysUcatellatoPhoebe，alittleostentatiously，"Mychildisstronganduseful；makelittlemissyagoodslave。"
　　"Aslave!Heavenforbid!"saidPhoebe。"He'llbeafathertousall，oncehegetshisheadback；andIdothinkitiscoming——butveryslow。"
　　ThenextthreedaysofferedtheordinaryincidentsofAfricantravel，butnothingthatoperatedmuchonChristopher'smind，whichisthetruepointofthisnarrative；andastherearemanyadmirablebooksofAfricantravel，itisthemoreproperIshouldconfinemyselftowhatmaybecalledtherelevantincidentsofthejourney。
　　OnthesixthdayfromCapeTown，theycameupwithalargewagonstuckinamud-hole。TherewasquiteapartyofBoers，Hottentots，Kafirs，roundit，armedwithwhips，shamboks，andoaths，lashingandcursingwithoutintermission，oranygoodeffect；andtherewerethewretchedbeastsstraininginvainattheirchokingyokes，moaningwithanguish，tremblingwithterror，theirpoormildeyesdilatedwithagonyandfear，andoften，whentheblowsofthecruelshambokscutopentheirbleedingflesh，theybellowedtoHeaventheirmiserableandvainprotestagainstthisdevil'swork。
　　Thenthepastopeneditsstores，andlentChristopheraword。
　　"BARBARIANS!"heroared，andseizedagiganticKafirbythethroat，justashisshambokdescendedforthehundredthtime。Therewasamightystruggle，asoftwoTitans；dustflewroundthecombatantsinacloud；awhirlingofbigbodies，anddowntheybothwentwithanawfulthud，theSaxonuppermost，byNature'slaw。
　　TheKafir'scompanions，amazedatfirst，begantorolltheireyesanddrawaknifeortwo；butDickranforward，andsaid，"Don'thurthim:heiswrongHERE。"
　　Thisrepresentationpacifiedthemmorereadilythanonemighthaveexpected。Dickaddedhastily，"We'llgetyououtoftheholeOUR
　　way，andcryquits。"
　　Theproposalwasfavorablyreceived，andthenextminuteChristopherandUcatellaatonewheel，andDickandtheHottentotattheother，withnootherhelpthantwopointedironbarsboughtfortheirshepherds，hadeffectedwhatsixteenoxencouldnot。TodothisDickDalehadbaredhisarmtotheshoulder；itwasastalwartlimb，likehissister's，andhenowhelditoutallswollenandcorded，andslappeditwithhisotherhand。"Look'eehere，youchaps，"saidhe:"theworstuseamancanputthattheretoistogocuttingoutapoorbeast'sheartfornotdoingmorethanhecan。Youaregoodfellows，youKafirs；butIthinkyouhaveswornnevertoputyourshouldertoawheel。But，blessyourpoorsillyhearts，alittlestrengthputonattherightplaceisbetterthanadealatthewrong。"
　　"Youhearthat，youKafirchaps?"inquiredUcatella，alittlearrogantly——foraKafir。
　　TheKafirs，whohadstoodquitesilenttoimbibetheseremarks，bowedtheirheadswithallthedignityandpolitenessofRomansenators，Spanishgrandees，etc。；andoneofthepartyrepliedgravely，"Thewordsofthewhitemanarealwayswise。"
　　"Andhisarmblanked*strong，"saidChristopher'slateopponent，fromwhosemind，however，allresentmenthadvanished。
　　*ItakethisveryusefulexpressionfromadelightfulvolumebyMr。Boyle。
　　ThusspaketheKafirs；yettothisdayneverhathamanofalltheirtribeputhisshouldertoawheel，sostrongiscustominSouthAfrica；probablyinallAfrica；sinceIrememberSt。Augustinfounditstrongerthanheliked，atCarthage。
　　UcatellawenttoPhoebe，andsaid，"Missy，mychildisgoodandbrave。"
　　"Botheryouandyourchild!"saidpoorPhoebe。"Tothinkofhisflyingatagiantlikethat，andyoulettingofhim。I'mallofatremblefromheadtofoot:"andPhoeberelievedherselfwithacry。
　　"Oh，missy!"saidUcatella。
　　"There，nevermindme。Dogoandlookafteryourchild，andkeephimoutofmoremischief。IwishweweresafeatDale'sKloof，I
　　do。"
　　Ucatellacomplied，andwentbotanizingwithDr。Staines；butthatgentleman，inthecourseofhisscientificresearchesintocamomileflowersandblastedheath，whichwereallthatlovelyregionafforded，suddenlysuccumbedandstretchedouthislimbs，andsaid，sleepily，"Good-night——U——cat——"andwasoffintothelandofNod。
　　Thewagon，which，bytheway，hadpassedthelargerbutslowervehicle，foundhimfastasleep，andUcatellastandingbyhimasordered，motionlessandgrand。
　　"Oh，dear!whatnow?"saidPhoebe:butbeingasensiblewoman，thoughinthehenandchickensline，shesaid，"'Tisthefightingandtheexcitement。'Twilldohimmoregoodthanharm，Ithink:"
　　andshehadhimbestowedinthewagon，andneverdisturbedhimnightnorday。Hesleptthirty-sixhoursatastretch；andwhenheawoke，shenoticedaslightchangeinhiseye。Helookedatherwithaninteresthehadnotshownbefore，andsaid，"Madam，Iknowyou。"
　　"ThankGodforthat，"saidPhoebe。
　　"Youkeptalittleshop，intheotherworld。"
　　Phoebeopenedhereyeswithsomelittlealarm。
　　"Youunderstand——theworldthatislockedup——forthepresent。"
　　"Well，sir，soIdid；andsoldyoumilkandbutter。Don'tyoumind?"
　　"No——themilkandbutter——theyarelockedup。"
　　Thecountrybecamewilder，thesignsoflifemiserablysparse；
　　abouteverytwentymilesthefarmhouseorhutofadegenerateBoer，whosechildrenandslavespiggedtogether，andallranjostling，andthemistressscreamedinhershrillDutch，andtheHottentotsallchirpedtogether，andconfusionreignedforwantofmethod:
　　oftentheywentmiles，andsawnothingbutahutortwo，withanudeHottentoteatingflesh，burntalittle，butnotcooked，atthedoor；andthekloofsbecamedeeperandmoreturbid，andPhoebewasinanagonyabouthersalt，andChristopheradvisedhertobreakitinbiglumps，andhangitallaboutthewagoninsacks；andshedid，andUcatellasaidprofoundly，"Mychildiswise；"andtheybegantodrawnearhome，andPhoebetofidget；andshesaidtoChristopher，"Oh，dear!Ihopetheyareallaliveandwell:onceyouleavehome，youdon'tknowwhatmayhavehappenedbythenyoucomeback。Onecomfort，I'vegotSophy:sheisverydependable，andnobeauty，thankmystars。"
　　Thatnight，thelasttheyhadtotravel，wascloudy，forawonder，andtheygropedwithlanterns。
　　Ucatellaandherchildbroughtuptherear。Presentlytherewasalightpatteringbehindthem。Theswift-earedUcatellaclutchedChristopher'sarm，andturninground，pointedback，witheyeballswhiteandrolling。Therewerefulladozenanimalsfollowingthem，whosebodiesseemedcolorlessasshadows，buttheireyeslittleballsofflaminglime-light。
　　"GUN!"saidChristie，andgavetheKafir'sarmapinch。Sheflewtothecaravan；hewalkedbackwards，facingthefoe。Thewagonwashalted，andDickranbackwithtwoloadedrifles。InhishastehegaveonetoChristopher，andrepentedatleisure；butChristophertookit，andhandleditlikeanexperiencedperson，andsaid，withdelight，"VOLUNTEER。"Butwiththisthecautiousanimalshadvanishedlikebubbles。ButDicktoldChristophertheywouldbesuretocomeback；heorderedUcatellaintothewagon，andtoldhertowarnPhoebenottobefrightenedifgunsshouldbefired。ThissoothingmessagebroughtPhoebe'swhitefaceoutbetweenthecurtains，andsheimploredthemtogetintothewagon，andnottemptProvidence。
　　"NottillIhavegottheeakarossofjackal'sfur。"
　　"I'llneverwearit!"saidPhoebeviolently，todiverthimfromhispurpose。
　　"Timewillshow，"saidDickdryly。"Thesevarmintareonandofflikeshadows，andascunningasOldNick。Wetwowillwalkonquiteunconcernedlike，andassoonaseverthevarmintareatourheelsyougiveustheoffice；andwe'llpeppertheirfur——won'twe，doctor?"
　　"We——will——pepper——theirfur，"saidChristopher，repeatingwhattohimwasalessonintheancientandvenerableEnglishtongue。
　　Sotheywalkedonexpectant；andbyandbythefour-footedshadowswithlargelime-lighteyescamestealingon；andPhoebeshrieked，andtheyvanishedbeforethemencoulddrawabeadonthem。
　　"Thou'snouseatthiswork，Pheeb，"saidDick。"Shutthyeyes，andletushaveYuke。"
　　"Iss，master:hereIbe。"
　　"Youcanbleatlikealamb；forI'veheardye。"
　　"Iss，master。Ibleatsbeautiful；"andsheshowedsnowyteethfromeartoear。
　　"Well，then，whenthevarmintareatourheels，drawinthywoollyhead，andbleatlikeayounglamb。Theywon'tturnfromthat，I
　　know，thevagabonds。"
　　Mattersbeingthusprepared，theysaunteredon；butthejackalswereverywary。Theycamelikeshadows，sodeparted——agreatmanytimes:butatlastbeingre-enforced，theylessenedthedistance，andgotsoclose，thatUcatellawithdrewherhead，andbleatedfaintlyinsidethewagon。Thementurned，levellingtheirrifles，andfoundthetroopwithintwentyyardsofthem。Theywheeleddirectly:butthefourbarrelspouredtheirflame，fourloudreportsstartledthenight，andonejackallaydeadasastone，anotherlimpedbehindtheflyingcrowd，andonelaykicking。Hewassoondespatched，andbothcarcassesflungoverthepatientoxen；andgood-byjackalsfortherestofthatjourney。
　　Ucatella，withallaKafir'sloveoffire-arms，clappedherhandswithdelight。"Mychildshootsloudandstrong，"saidshe。
　　"Ay，ay，"repliedPhoebe；"theyareallalike；whereverthere'smen，lookforquarrellingandfiringoff。Wehadonlytositquietinthewagon。"
　　"Ay。"saidDick，"thecattleespecially——foritisthemthevarmintwereafter——andlet'emeatmyHottentots。"
　　Atthispictureofthecattleinsidethewagon，andthejackalssuppingoncoldHottentotalongside，Phoebe，whohadnomorehumorthanacat，butaheartofgold，shutup，andturnedredwithconfusionatherfalseestimateoftherecenttransactioninfur。
　　Whenthesunrosetheyfoundthemselvesinatractsomewhatlessaridandinhuman；and，atlast，attheriseofagentleslope，theysaw，halfamilebeforethem，alargefarmhousepartlycladwithcreepers，andalittleplotofturf，thefruitofeternalwatering；
　　item，aflower-bed；item，snow-whitepalings；item，anairofcleanlinessandneatnessscarcelyknowntothosedirtydescendantsofcleanancestors，theBoers。Atsomedistanceaverylargedamglitteredinthesun，andatroopofsnow-whitesheepwerewateringatit。
　　"ENGLAND!"criedChristopher。
　　"Ay，sir，"saidPhoebe；"asnighasmancanmakeit。"Butsoonshebegantofret:"Oh，dear!wherearetheyall?Ifitwasme，I'dbeatthedoorlookingout。Ah，theregoesYuketorousethemup。"
　　"Come，Pheeb，don'tyoufidget，"saidDickkindly。"Why，thelazylotarescarceoutoftheirbedsbythistime。"
　　"Moreshamefor'em。Iftheywereawayfromme，andcominghome，I
　　shouldbeatthedoordayANDnight，Iknow。Ah!"
　　Sheutteredascreamofdelight，forjustthen，outcameUcatella，withlittleTommyonhershoulder，anddancedalongtomeether。
　　Asshecameclose，sheraisedthechubbychildhighintheair，andhecrowed；andthensheloweredhimtohismother，whorushedathim，seized，anddevouredhimwithahundredinarticulatecriesofjoyandloveunspeakable。
　　"NATURE!"saidChristopherdogmatically，recognizinganoldacquaintance，andbookingitasonemoreconquestgainedoverthepast。Buttherewastoomuchexcitementoverthecherubtoattendtohim。Sohewatchedthewomangravely，andbegantomoralizewithallhismight。"This，"saidhe，"iswhatweusedtocallmaternallove；andallanimalshadit，andthatiswhythenoblesavagewentforhim。Itwasverygoodofyou，MissSavage，"saidthepoorsoulsententiously。
　　"Goodofher!"criedPhoebe。"Sheisallgoodness。Savage，findmeaDutchwomanlikeher!I'llgiveheragoodcuddleforit；"andshetooktheKafirroundtheneck，andgaveheraheartykiss，andmadethelittleboykisshertoo。
　　Atthismomentoutcameacolliedog，huntingUcatellabyscentalone，whichprocesslandedhimheadlonginthegroup；hegaveloudbarksofrecognition，fawnedonPhoebeandDick，smeltpoorChristopher，gaveagrowlofsuspicion，andlurkedaboutsquinting，dissatisfied，andloweringhistail。
　　"Thouartwrong，lad，foronce，"saidDick；"forhe'sanoldfriend，andagoodone。"
　　"Afterthedog，perhapssomeChristianwillcometowelcomeus，"
　　saidpoorPhoebe。
　　Obedienttothewish，outwalkedSophy，theEnglishnurse，ascraggywoman，withaverycockednoseandthin，pinchedlips，andanairofrespectabilityandpertnessmingled。Shedroppedashortcourtesy，shottheglanceofabasiliskatUcatella，andsaidstiffly，"Youarewelcomehome，ma'am。"Thenshetookthelittleboyasonehavingauthority。NotthatPhoebewouldhavesurrenderedhim；butjustthenMr。Falconstrolledout，withacigarinhismouth，andPhoebe，withherheartinHERmouth，flewtomeethim。Therewasarapturousconjugalembrace，followedbymutualinquiries；andthewagondrewupatthedoor。Then，forthefirsttime，FalconobservedStaines，sawatoncehewasagentleman，andtouchedhishattohim，towhichChristopherrespondedinkind，andrememberedhehaddonesointhelocked-uppast。
　　Phoebeinstantlydrewherhusbandapartbythesleeve。"Whodoyouthinkthatis?You'llneverguess。'TisthegreatdoctorthatsavedDick'slifeinEnglandwithcuttingofhisthroat。But，oh，mydear，heisnotthemanhewas。Heisafflicted。Outofhismindpartly。Well，wemustcurehim，andsquaretheaccountforDick。I'maproudwomanatfindinghim，andbringinghimheretomakehimallrightagain，Icantellyou。Oh，Iamhappy，Iamhappy。LittledidIthinktobesohappyasIam。And，mydear，I
　　havebroughtyouawholesackfulofnewspapers，oldandnew。"
　　"Thatisagoodgirl。Buttellmealittlemoreabouthim。Whatishisname?"
　　"Christie。"
　　"Dr。Christie?"
　　"Nodoubt。Hewasn'tanapothecary，orachemist，youmaybesure，butahighdoctor，andthecleveresteverwasoreverwillbe:andisn'titsad，love，toseehimbroughtdownso?Myheartyearnsforthepoorman:andthenhiswife——thesweetest，loveliestcreatureyouever——oh!"Phoebestoppedveryshort，forsherememberedsomethingallofasudden；nordidsheeveragaingiveFalconachanceofknowingthatthewoman，whosepresencehadsodisturbedhim，wasthisveryDr。Christie'swife。"Curious!"
　　thoughtshetoherself，"theworldtobesolarge，andyetsosmall:"thenaloud，"Theyareunpackingthewagon；come，dear。I
　　don'tthinkIhaveforgottenanythingofyours。There'scigars，andtobacco，andpowder，andshot，andbullets，andeverythingtomakeyoucomfortable，asmyduty'tis；and——oh，butI'mahappywoman。"
　　Hottentots，bigandlittle，clusteredaboutthewagon。Treasureaftertreasurewasdeliveredwithcriesofdelight；thedogsfoundoutitwasajoyfultime，andbarkedaboutthewheeledtreasury；
　　andtheplacedidnotquietdowntillsunset。
　　AplainbuttidylittleroomwasgiventoChristopher，andheslepttherelikeatop。Nextmorninghisnursecalledhimuptohelpherwaterthegrass。Sheledthewaywithatubonherheadandtwobucketsinit。Shetookhimtothedam；whenshegotthereshetookoutthebuckets，leftoneonthebank，andgavetheothertoChristie。Shethenwentdownthestepstillthewaterwasuptoherneck，andbadeChristiefillthetub。Hepouredeightbucketsfulin。Thenshecameslowlyout，straightasanarrow，balancingthistubfullonherhead。Thensheheldoutherhandsforthetwobuckets。Christiefilledthem，wondering，andgavethemtoher。Shetookthemliketoybuckets，andglidedslowlyhomewiththisenormousweight，andneverspilledadrop。Indeed，thewalkwasmoresmoothandnoblethanever，ifpossible。
　　Whenshereachedthehouse，shehailedaHottentot，anditcostthemanandChristopheragreateffortofstrengthtolowerhertubbetweenthem。
　　"Whatavertebralcolumnyoumusthave!"saidChristopher。
　　"Youmustnotspeakbadwords，mychild，"saidshe。"Now，youwaterthegrassandtheflowers。"Shegavehimawatering-pot，andwatchedhimmaternally；butdidnotputahandtoit。Sheevidentlyconsideredthispartofthebusinessaschild'splay，andnotafitexerciseofherpowers。
　　Itwasonlybydrowningthatlittleoasistwiceadaythatthegrasswaskeptgreenandtheflowersalive。
　　Shefoundhimotherjobsincourseoftheday，andindeedhewasalwayshelpingsomebodyorother，andbecamequiteruddy，bronzed，andplumpofcheek，andworeastrangelookofhappiness，exceptattimeswhenhegotapart，andtriedtorecallthedistantpast。
　　Thenhewouldknithisbrow，andlookedperplexedandsad。
　　Theyweregettingquiteusedtohim，andhetothem，whenonedayhedidnotcomeintodinner。Phoebesentoutforhim；buttheycouldnotfindhim。
　　Thesunset。Phoebebecamegreatlyalarmed，andevenDickwasanxious。
　　Theyallturnedout，withgunsanddogs，andhuntedforhimbeneaththestars。
　　JustbeforedaybreakDickDalesawafiresparklebythesideofadistantthicket。Hewenttoit，andtherewasUcatellaseated，calmandgrandasantiquestatue，andChristopherlyingbyherside，withashawlthrownoverhim。AsDalecamehurriedlyup，sheputherfingertoherlips，andsaid，"Mychildsleeps。Donotwakehim。Whenhesleeps，hehuntsthepast，asColliehuntsthespringbok。"
　　"Here'sago，"saidDick。Then，hearingachuckle，helookedup，andwasawareofacomicalappendagetothescene。Therehung，headdownwards，fromabranch，aKafirboy，whowas，infact，thebrotherofthestatelyUcatella，onlywentfurtherintoantiquityforhismodelsofdeportment；for，assheimitatedtheantiquemarbles，hereproducedthehabitsofthatepochwhenmanroosted，andwasarboreal。Wheelsomersaults，and，aboveall，swingingheaddownwardsfromabranch，werethesweetenersofhisexistence。
　　"Oh!YOUarethere，areyou?"saidDick。
　　"Iss，"saidUcatella。"Timgoodboy。Timfoundmychild。"
　　"Well，"saidDick，"hehaschosenaniceplace。Thisistheclumpthelastlioncameoutof，atleasttheysayso。Formypart，I
　　neversawanAfricanlion；Falconsaysthey'vealltookship，andgonetoEngland。However，Ishallstayherewithmyrifletilldaybreak。'TistemptingProvidencetoliedownontheskirtofawoodforLordknowswhattojumpoutonyeunawares。"
　　TimwassenthomeforHottentots，andChristopherwascarriedhome，stillsleeping，andlaidonhisownbed。
　　Heslepttwenty-fourhoursmore，and，whenhewasfairlyawake，asortofmistseemedtoclearawayinplaces，andherememberedthingsatrandom。Herememberedbeingatseaontheraftwiththedeadbody；thatpicturewasquitevividtohim。Heremembered，too，beinginthehospital，andmeetingPhoebe，andeverysucceedingincident；butasrespectedthemoredistantpast，hecouldnotrecallitbyanyeffortofhiswill。Hismindcouldonlygointothatremoterpastbymaterialstepping-stones；andwhatstepping-stoneshehadabouthimhereledhimbacktogeneralknowledge，butnottohisprivatehistory。
　　Inthisconditionhepuzzledthemallstrangelyatthefarm；hismindwasalternatelysoclearandsoobscure。HewouldchatwithPhoebe，andsometimesgiveheragoodpracticalhint；butthenextmoment，helplessforwantofmemory，thatgreatfacultywithoutwhichjudgmentcannotact，havingnomaterial。
　　Aftersomedaysofthis，hehadanothergreatsleep。Itbroughthimbackthedistantpastinchapters。Hiswedding-day。Hiswife'sfaceanddressuponthatday。Hispartingwithher:hiswholevoyageout:but，strangetosay，itsweptawayone-halfofthatwhichhehadrecoveredathislastsleep，andhenolongerrememberedclearlyhowhecametobeatDale'sKloof。
　　Thushismindmightbecomparedtooneclimbingaslipperyplace，whogainsafootortwo，thenslipsback；butonthewholegainsmorethanheloses。
　　HetookagreatlikingtoFalcon。Thatgentlemanhadtheartofpleasing，andthetactnevertooffend。
　　Falconaffectedtotreatthepoorsoul'swantofmemoryasacommoninfirmity；pretendedhewashimselfveryoftentroubledinthesameway，andadvisedhimtoreadthenewspapers。"Mygoodwife，"saidhe，"hasbroughtmeawholefileoftheCapeGazette。I'dreadthemifIwasyou。Thedeuceisinit，ifyoudon'trakeupsomethingorother。"
　　Christopherthankedhimwarmlyforthis:hegotthepaperstohisownlittleroom，andhadalwaysoneortwoinhispocketforreading。Atfirsthefoundagoodmanyhardwordsthatpuzzledhim；andheborrowedapencilofPhoebe，andnotedthemdown。
　　Strangetosay，thewordsthatpuzzledhimwerealwayscommonwords，thathisunaccountablememoryhadforgotten:ahardword，hewassuretorememberthat。
　　OnedayhehadtoaskFalconthemeaningof"spendthrift。"Falcontoldhimbriefly。Hecouldhaveillustratedthewordbyastrikingexample；buthedidnot。Headded，inhispoliteway，"Nofellowcanunderstandallthewordsinanewspaper。Now，here'sawordinmine——'Anemometer；'whothedeucecanunderstandsuchaword?"
　　"Oh，THATisacommonwordenough，"saidpoorChristopher。"Itmeansamachineformeasuringtheforceofthewind。"
　　"Oh，indeed，"saidFalcon；butdidnotbelieveawordofit。
　　OnesultrydayChristopherhadaviolentheadache，andcomplainedtoUcatella。ShetoldPhoebe，andtheyboundhisbrowswithawethandkerchief，andadvisedhimtokeepin-doors。Hesatdowninthecoolestpartofthehouse，andheldhisheadwithhishands，foritseemedasifitwouldexplodeintotwogreatfragments。
　　Allinamomenttheskywasovercastwithangryclouds，whirlingthiswayandthat。Hugedropsofhailpattereddown，andthenextminutecameatremendousflashoflightning，accompanied，ratherthanfollowed，byacrashofthundercloseovertheirheads。
　　Thiswastheopening。Downcameadelugeoutofcloudsthatlookedmountainsofpitch，andmadethedaynightbutforthefastandfuriousstrokesoflightningthatfiredtheair。Thescreamofwindandawfulpealsofthundercompletedthehorrorsofthescene。
　　Inthemidstofthis，bywhatagencyIknownomorethanscienceorasheepdoes，somethingwentoffinsideChristopher'shead，likeapistol-shot。Hegaveasortofscream，anddashedoutintotheweather。
　　Phoebeheardhisscreamandhisflyingfootstep，andutteredanejaculationoffear。Thewholehouseholdwasalarmed，and，underothercircumstances，wouldhavefollowedhim；butyoucouldnotseetenyards。
　　Achillsenseofimpendingmisfortunesettledonthehouse。Phoebethrewherapronoverherhead，androckedinherchair。
　　Dickhimselflookedverygrave。
　　Ucatellawouldhavetriedtofollowhim；butDickforbadeher。
　　"'Tisnouse，"saidhe。"Whenitclears，wethatbemenwillgoforhim。"
　　"PrayHeavenyoumayfindhimalive!"
　　"Idon'tthinkbutwhatweshall。There'snowherehecanfalldowntohurthimself，noryetdrownhimself，butourdam；andhehasnotgonethatway。But"——
　　"Butwhat?"
　　"Ifwedofindhim，wemusttakehimbacktoCapeTown，beforehedoeshimself，orsomeone，amischief。Why，Phoebe，don'tyouseethemanhasgoneravingmad?"
　　CHAPTERXIX。
　　Theelectrifiedmanrushedoutintothestorm，buthescarcelyfeltitinhisbody；theeffectonhismindoverpoweredhail-stones。
　　Thelightningseemedtolightupthepast；themightyexplosionsofthunderseemedcannonstrokesknockingdownawall，andlettinginhiswholelife。
　　Sixhoursthestormraged，and，beforeitended，hehadrecoverednearlyhiswholepast，excepthisvoyagewithCaptainDodd——that，indeed，heneverrecovered——andthethingsthathappenedtohiminthehospitalbeforehemetPhoebeFalconandherbrother:andassoonashehadrecoveredhislostmemory，hisbodybegantoshiveratthehailandrain。Hetriedtofindhiswayhome，butmissedit；notsomuch，however，butthatherecovereditassoonasitbegantoclear，andjustastheywerecomingouttolookforhim，heappearedbeforethem，dripping，shivering，verypaleandworn，withthehandkerchiefstillabouthishead。
　　Atsightofhim，Dickslippedbacktohissister，andsaid，ratherroughly，"Therenow，youmayleaveoffcrying:heiscomehome；andto-morrowItakehimtoCapeTown。"
　　Christophercreptin，adismal，sinisterfigure。
　　"Oh，sir，"saidPhoebe，"wasthisadayforaChristiantobeoutin?Howcouldyougoandfrightenusso?"
　　"Forgiveme，madam，"saidChristopherhumbly；"Iwasnotmyself。"
　　"Thebestthingyoucandonowistogotobed，andletussendyouupsomethingwarm。"
　　"Youareverygood，"saidChristopher，andretiredwiththeairofonetoofullofgreatamazingthoughtstogossip。
　　Hesleptthirtyhoursatastretch，andthen，awakinginthedeadofnight，hesawthepastevenmoreclearandvivid；helightedhiscandleandbegantogropeintheCapeGazette。Astodates，henowrememberedwhenhehadsailedfromEngland，andalsofromMadeira。
　　Followingupthisclew，hefoundintheGazetteanoticethatH。M。
　　shipAmphitritehadbeenspokenofftheCape，andhadreportedthemelancholylossofapromisingphysicianandmanofscience，Dr。
　　Staines。
　　Theaccountsaideveryexertionhadbeenmadetosavehim，butinvain。
　　Stainesgroundhisteethwithrageatthis。"Everyexertion!thefalse-heartedcurs。Theyleftmetodrown，withoutonemanlyefforttosaveme。Cursethem，andcursealltheworld。"
　　Pursuinghisresearchesrapidly，hefoundamuchlongeraccountofaraftpickedupbyCaptainDodd，withawhitemanonitandadeadbody，thewhitemanhavingonhimaconsiderablesuminmoneyandjewels。
　　Thenanewanxietychilledhim。TherewasnotawordtoidentifyhimwithDr。Staines。TheideahadneveroccurredtotheeditoroftheCapeGazette。StilllesswoulditoccurtoanyoneinEngland。
　　Atthismomenthiswifemustbemourningforhim。"Poor——poorRosa!"
　　Butperhapsthefatalnewsmightnothavereachedher。
　　Thathopewasdashedawayassoonasfound。Why，thesewereallOLDNEWSPAPERS。Thatgentlemanlymanwhohadlentthemtohimhadsaidso。
　　Old!yettheycompletedtheyear1867。
　　Henowtorethroughthemforthedatesalone，andsoonfoundtheywentto1868。Yettheywereoldpapers。HehadsailedinMay，1867。
　　"MyGod!"hecried，inagony，"IHAVELOSTAYEAR。"
　　Thisthoughtcrushedhim。Byandbyhebegantocarrythisawfulideaintodetails。"MyRosahaswornmourningforme，andputitoffagain。Iamdeadtoher，andtoalltheworld。"
　　Heweptlongandbitterly。
　　Thosetearsclearedhisbrainstillmore。Forallthat，hewasnotyethimself；atleast，Idoubtit；hisinsanity，drivenfromtheintellect，fastenedonelingeringclawintohismoralnature，andhungonbyit。Hissoulfilledwithbitternessandadesiretoberevengedonmankindfortheirinjustice，andthisthoughtpossessedhimmorethanreason。
　　Hejoinedthefamilyatbreakfast；andneverawordallthetime。
　　Butwhenhegotuptogo，hesaid，inastrange，doggedway，asifitwentagainstthegrain，"Godblessthehousethatsuccorstheafflicted。"Thenhewentouttobroodalone。