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