Thecrunchingofthegravelandtherattleofthesentry’smusketatsaluterecalledhimtohishighofficeandtothedutiesofthemorning。Hewavedhishand，and，asthoughitwereawand，thesentrymovedagain，makinghiswaytothekitchen-garden，andsoaroundGovernmentHouseandbacktothelawn-tenniscourt，maintaininginhissolitarypilgrimagethedignityofherMajesty’srepresentative，aswellasherMajesty’spowerovertheWindlessIsles。
　　TheGovernorsmiledslightly，withtheeaseofmindofonewhofindsallthingsgood。Supremeauthority，surroundingsofendlessbeauty，therespectful，evenhumble，deferenceofhisinferiors，andneverevenanoccasionalvisitfromasuperior，hadinfouryearsloweredhimintoabedofeaseandself-
　　satisfaction。Hewascutofffromtheworld，andyetofit。
　　Eachmonththerecame，viaJamaica，thethreeweeks’oldcopyofTheWeeklyTimes;hesubscribedtoMudie’sColonialLibrary;
　　andfromtheStateshehadimportedanAmericanlawn-mower，themechanismofwhichnooneasyetunderstood。Withinhisownbordershehadcreatedahealthy，orderlyseaportoutofwhathadbeenasinkoffeverandarefugeforallthene’er-do-wellsandfugitiverevolutionistsofCentralAmerica。
　　Heknew，ashesateacheveningonhisveranda，lookingacrossthebay，thatintheworldbeyondthepinkandgoldsunsetmenwerestillpanting，struggling，andstarving;criseswererisingandpassing;strikesandpanics，warsandtherumorsofwars，sweptfromcontinenttocontinent;aplaguecreptthroughIndia;afilibusterwithfivehundredmenathisbackcrossedanimaginarylineandstirredtheworldfromCapeTowntoLondon;
　　Emperorswerecrowned;thegoodQueencelebratedthelongestreign;andacaptainofartilleryimprisonedinaswampyislandintheSouthAtlanticcausedtwohemispherestoclamorforhisrescue，andlitaracewarthatstretchedfromAlgierstotheboulevards。
　　Andyet，attheWindlessIsles，allthesehappeningsseemedtoSirCharleslikethemorning’smemoryofadream。Forthesethingsnevercrossedtheringofthecoralreefs;hesawthemonlyaspicturesinanillustratedpaperamonthold。Andhewaspleasedtofindthatthiswasso。Hewassufficienttohimself，withhisownresponsibilitiesandsocialdutiesandpublicworks。
　　Hewasamaninauthority，whosaidtoothers，"Come！"and"Go！"
　　Underhimwerecommissioners，andunderthecommissionersdistrictinspectorsandboardsofeducationandofhighways。Forthebetterhealthofthecolonyhehadplantedtreesthatsuckedthemalariafromtheair;foritsbettermoralshehadsubstitutedasaSundayamusementcricket-matchesforcock-
　　fights;andtokeepitatpeacehehadcreatedalocalconstabularyofnativenegroes，andhaddressedtheminthecast-
　　offuniformsofLondonpolicemen。Hishandiworkwaseverywhere，andhisinterestwasallsunkinhishandiwork。Thedayspassedgorgeouswithsunshine，thenightsbreathedwithbeauty。Itwasanexistenceofleisurelyoccupation，andonethatpromisednochange，andhewascontent。
　　AsitwasThursday，theCouncilmetthatmorning，andsomequestionsofmomenttothecolonyweretobebroughtupforconsideration。Thequestionofthedog-taxwasonewhichperplexedSirCharlesmostparticularly。ThetwoCouncillorselectedbythepeopleandthethreeappointedbythecrownhaddisagreedastothistax。OfthefivehundredBritishsubjectsattheseaport，allbuttenwereownersofdogs，andithadoccurredtoSassoon，thechemist，thatataxofhalf-a-crownayearoneachofthesedogswouldmeettheexpenseofextendingtheoyster-shellroadtothenewcricket-grounds。TothisSnellgrove，whoheldthecontractforthenarrow-gaugerailroad，agreed;butthethreecrownCouncillorsopposedthetaxvigorously，onthegroundthatasscavengersalonethedogswereaboontothecolonyandshouldbeencouraged。Thefactthateachofthesegentlemenownednotonlyone，butseveraldogsofhighpedigreemadetheirpositiononeofgreatdelicacy。
　　TherewasnowaybywhichtheGovernorcouldtestthepopularwillinthematter，exceptthroughhissecretary，Mr。Clarges，who，atthecricket-matchbetweenthelocalelevenandtheofficersandcrewofH。M。S。Partridge，hadbeeninformedbytheotherownersofseveralfox-terriersthat，intheiropinion，thetaxwasapieceof"condemnedtommy-rot。"FromthistheGovernorjudgedthatitwouldnotproveapopularmeasure。Ashepacedtheveranda，drawingdeliberatelyonhiscigar，andconsideringtowhichpartyheshouldgivetheweightofhisfinalsupport，histhoughtsweredisturbedbytheapproachofastranger，whoadvancedalongthegravelwalk，guardedoneithersidebyoneofthelocalconstabulary。Thestrangerwasyoungandofpoorappearance。Hisbarefeetwereboundinapairoftheropesandalswornbythenatives，hisclothingwasoftornandsoileddrill，andhefannedhisfacenonchalantlywithasombreroofbatteredandshapelessfelt。
　　SirCharleshaltedinhiswalk，andholdinghiscigarbehindhisback，addressedhimselftothesergeant。
　　"Avagrant？"heasked。
　　Thewordsseemedtobearsomeamusingsignificancetothestranger，forhisfacelitinstantlywithasweetandcharmingsmile，andwhileheturnedtohearthesergeant’sreply，heregardedhimwithakindlyandaffectionateinterest。
　　"Yes，yourExcellency。"
　　TheGovernorturnedtotheprisoner。
　　"Doyouknowthelawofthiscolonyregardingvagrants？"
　　"Idonot，"theyoungmananswered。Histonewaspolitelycurious，andsuggestedthathewouldliketobefurtherinformedastothelocalpeculiaritiesofaforeigncountry。
　　"Aftertwoweeks’residence，"theGovernorrecited，impressively，"allable-bodiedpersonswhowillnotworkareputtoworkordeported。Haveyoumadeanyefforttofindwork？"
　　Againtheyoungmansmiledcharmingly。Heshookhisheadandlaughed。"Ohdearno，"hesaid。
　　ThelaughstrucktheGovernorasimpertinent。
　　"Thenyoumustleavebythenextmail-steamer，ifyouhaveanymoneytopayyourpassage，or，ifyouhavenomoney，youmustgotoworkontheroads。Haveyouanymoney？"
　　"IfIhad，Iwouldn’t——beavagrant，"theyoungmananswered。
　　Hisvoicewaslowandsingularlysweet。Itseemedtosuittheindolenceofhisattitudeandthelazy，inconsequentsmile。"I
　　calledonourconsularagenthere，"hecontinued，leisurely，"towritealetterhomeformoney，buthewasdisgracefullydrunk，soIusedhisofficialnote-papertowritetotheStateDepartmentabouthim，instead。"
　　TheGovernor’sdeepestinterestwasaroused。TheAmericanconsularagentwasoneoftheseveresttrialshewasforcedtoendure。
　　"YouarenotaBritishsubject，then？Ah，Isee——and——er——yourrepresentativewasunabletoassistyou？"
　　"Hewasdrunk，"theyoungmanrepeated，placidly。"HehasbeendrunkeversinceIhavebeenhere，particularlyinthemornings。"
　　Hehalted，asthoughthesubjecthadlostinterestforhim，andgazedpleasantlyatthesunnybayandupatthemovingpalms。
　　"Then，"saidtheGovernor，asthoughhehadnotbeeninterrupted，"asyouhavenomeansofsupport，youwillhelpsupportthecolonyuntilyoucanearnmoneytoleaveit。Thatwilldo，sergeant。"
　　Theyoungmanplacedhishatuponhisheadandturnedtomoveaway，butatthefirststepheswayedsuddenlyandcaughtatthenegro’sshoulder，claspinghisotherhandacrosshiseyes。Thesergeantheldhimbythewaist，andlookedupattheGovernorwithsomeembarrassment。
　　"Theyounggentlemanhasnotbeenwell，SirCharles，"hesaid，apologetically。
　　Thestrangerstraightenedhimselfupandsmiledvaguely。
　　"I’mallright，"hemurmured。"Sun’stoohot。"
　　"Sitdown，"saidtheGovernor。
　　Heobservedthestrangermoreclosely。Henoticednowthatbeneaththetanhisfacewasdelicateandfinelycut，andthathisyellowhairclungcloselytoawell-formedhead。
　　"Heseemsfaint。Hashehadanythingtoeat？"askedtheGovernor。
　　Thesergeantgrinnedguiltily。"Yes，SirCharles;we’vebeenfeedinghimatthebarracks。It’sfever，sir。"
　　SirCharleswasnotunacquaintedwithfallengentlemen，"beach-
　　combers，""remittancemen，"andvagrantswhohadknownbetterdays，andtherehadbeensomethingwinninginthisvagrant’ssmile，and，moreover，hehadreportedthatthorninhisflesh，theconsularagent，totheproperauthorities。
　　Heconceivedaninterestinayoungmanwho，thoughwithnakedfeet，didnothesitatetocorrespondwithhisMinisterofForeignAffairs。
　　"Howlonghaveyoubeenill？"heasked。
　　Theyoungmanlookedupfromwherehehadsunkonthesteps，androusedhimselfwithashrug。"Itdoesn’tmatter，"hesaid。
　　"I’vehadatouchofChagreseversinceIwasontheIsthmus。I
　　wasatworkthereontherailroad。"
　　"DidyoucomeherefromColon？"
　　"No;IworkedupthePacificside。IwasclerkingwithRossnerBrothersatAmapalaforawhile，becauseIspeakalittleGerman，andthenIfooteditovertoPuertoCortezandgotajobwiththelotterypeople。Theygavemetwentydollarsamonthgoldforrollingthetickets，andIputitallinthedrawing，andwonasmuchasten。"Helaughed，andsittingerect，drewfromhispocketarollofthingreenpapers。"Theseareforthenextdrawing，"hesaid。"Havesome？"headded。Heheldthemtowardsthenegrosergeant，who，undertheeyeoftheGovernor，resisted，andthenspreadtheticketsonhiskneelikeahandatcards。"I
　　standtowinalotwiththese，"hesaid，withacheerfulsigh。
　　"Yousee，untilthelist’spublishedI’mprospectivelyworthtwentythousanddollars。And，"headded，"Ibreakstonesinthesun。"Heroseunsteadily，andsalutedtheGovernorwithanod。"Good-morning，sir，"hesaid，"andthankyou。"
　　"Wait，"SirCharlescommanded。Anewformofpunishmenthadsuggesteditself，inwhichjusticewastemperedwithmercy。"CanyouworkoneofyourAmericanlawn-mowers？"heasked。
　　Theyoungmanlaugheddelightedly。"Inevertried，"hesaid，"butI’veseenitdone。"
　　"Ifyou’vebeenill，itwouldbemurdertoputyouontheshellroad。"TheGovernor’sdignityrelaxedintoasmile。"Idon’tdesireinternationalcomplications，"hesaid。"Sergeant，takethis——him——tothekitchen，andtellCorporalMallontogivehimthatAmericanlawn-mowingmachine。Possiblyhemayunderstanditsmechanism。Mallononlycutsholesintheturfwithit。"Andhewavedhishandindismissal，andasthethreemenmovedawayheburiedhimselfagainintheperplexitiesofthedog-tax。
　　TenminuteslaterthedeliberationsoftheCouncilweredisturbedbyaloudandpersistentrattle，likethewhirofaMaximgun，whichproved，oninvestigation，toarisefromtheAmericanlawn-
　　mower。Thevagrantwaspropellingittriumphantlyacrossthelawn，andgazingdownatitwiththesamefondpridewithwhichanursemaidleansovertheperambulatortoobserveherlustyandgurglingcharge。
　　TheCouncillorshaddeparted，SirCharleswasthinkingofbreakfast，theMaxim-likelawn-mowerstillirritatedthesilenthushofmidday，whenfromthewatersoftheinnerharbortherecamesuddenlythesharpreportofasalutinggunandtherushoffallinganchor-chains。Therewasstillaweektopassbeforethemail-steamershouldarrive，andH。M。S。PartridgehaddepartedforNassau。Besidestheseships，noothervesselhadskirtedthebuoysofthebayineightlongsmilingmonths。Mr。
　　Clarges，thesecretary，withanefforttoappearcalm，andtheorderly，suffocatedwiththenews，enteredthroughseparatedoorsatthesameinstant。
　　Thesecretaryfiledhisreportfirst。"Ayacht’sjustanchoredinthebay，SirCharles，"hesaid。
　　Theorderly’sfacefell。Helookedaggrieved。"AnAmericanyacht，"hecorrected。
　　"AndmuchlargerthanthePartridge，"continuedthesecretary。
　　Theorderlytookahastyglancebackoverhisshoulder。"Shehasherlaunchloweredalready，sir，"hesaid。
　　Outsidethewhirofthelawn-mowercontinuedundisturbed。SirCharlesreachedforhismarine-glass，andthethreemenhurriedtotheveranda。
　　"Itlookslikeaman-of-war，"saidSirCharles。"No，"headded，adjustingthebinocular;"she’sayacht。ShefliestheNewYorkYachtClubpennant——nowshe’sshowingtheowner’sabsentpennant。
　　Hemusthaveleftinthelaunch。He’scomingashorenow。"
　　"Heseemsinabitofahurry，"growledMr。Clarges。
　　"ThoseAmericansalways——"murmuredSirCharlesfrombehindthebinocular。Hedidnotquiteknowthatheenjoyedthissuddenonslaughtupontheprivacyofhisharborandport。
　　Itwasinitselfannoying，andhewasfurtherannoyedtofindthatitcouldintheleastdegreedisturbhispoise。
　　Thelaunchwasgrowinginstantlylarger，likeanexpresstrainapproachingastationatfullspeed;herflagsflewoutasflataspiecesofpaintedtin;herbitsofbrass-workflashedlikefire。Alreadytheendsofthewharveswerewhitewithgroupsofnatives。
　　"Youmightthinkhewasgoingtoramthetown，"suggestedthesecretary。
　　"Oh，Isay，"heexclaimed，inremonstrance，"he’smakinginforyourprivatewharf。"
　　TheGovernorwasrearrangingthefocusoftheglasswithnervousfingers。"Ibelieve，"hesaid，"no——yes——uponmyword，thereare——thereareladiesinthatlaunch！"
　　"Ladies，sir！"Thesecretarythrewahastyglanceatthebinocular，butitwasinimmediateuse。
　　Theclatterofthelawn-mowerceasedsuddenly，andthereliefofitssilencecausedtheGovernortolowerhiseyes。Hesawthelawn-mowerlyingprostrateonthegrass。Thevagranthadvanished。
　　Therewasasharptinkleofbells，andthelaunchslippeduptothewharfandhaltedassoftlyasabicycle。Amaninayachting-suitjumpedfromher，andmakingsomelaughingspeechtothetwowomeninthestern，walkedbrisklyacrossthelawn，takingaletterfromhispocketashecame。SirCharlesawaitedhimgravely;theoccupantsofthelaunchhadseenhim，anditwastoolatetoretreat。
　　"SirCharlesGreville，Ibelieve，"saidtheyachtsman。Hebowed，andranlightlyupthesteps。"IamMr。RobertCollier，fromNewYork，"hesaid。"IhavealettertoyoufromyourambassadoratWashington。Ifyou’llpardonme，I’llpresentitinperson。I
　　hadmeanttoleaveit，butseeingyou——"Hepaused，andgavetheletterinhishandtoSirCharles，whowavedhimtowardshislibrary。
　　SirCharlesscowledattheletterthroughhismonocle，andthenshookhandswithhisvisitor。"Iamverygladtoseeyou，Mr。
　　Collier，"hesaid。"HesayshereyouarepreparingabookonourcoloniesintheWestIndies。"Hetappedtheletterwithhismonocle。"IamsureIshallbemosthappytoassistyouwithanyinformationinmypower。"
　　"Well，Iamwritingabook——yes，"Mr。Collierobserved，doubtfully，"butit’salogbook。ThistripIamonpleasurebent，andIalsowishtoconsultwithyouonapersonalmatter。
　　However，thatcanwait。"Heglancedoutofthewindowstowherethelaunchlayinthesun。"Mywifecameashorewithme，SirCharles，"hesaid，"sothatincasetherewasaLadyGreville，Mrs。Colliercouldcallonher，andwecouldaskifyouwouldwaiveetiquetteanddousthehonortodinewithusto-nightontheyacht——thatis，ifyouarenotengaged。"
　　SirCharlessmiled。"ThereisnoLadyGreville，"hesaid，"andI
　　personallydonotthinkIamengagedelsewhere。"Hepausedinthought，asthoughtomakequitesurehewasnot。"No，"headded，"Ihavenootherengagement。Iwillcomewithpleasure。"
　　SirCharlesroseandclappedhishandsfortheorderly。
　　"Possiblytheladieswillcomeuptotheveranda？"heasked。"I
　　cannotallowthemtoremainattheendofmywharf。"Heturned，andgavedirectionstotheorderlytobringlimesandbottlesofsodaandice，andledthewayacrossthelawn。
　　Mrs。CollierandherfriendhadnotexploredthegroundsofGovernmentHouseforovertenminutesbeforeSirCharlesfeltthatmanyyearsagohehadpersonallyarrangedtheirvisit，thathehadknownthemforevenalongertime，andthat，nowthattheyhadfinallyarrived，theymustneverdepart。
　　Tothemtherewasapparentlynothingonhisdomainwhichdidnotthrillwithdelightfulinterest。Theywereaseagerastwochildrenatapantomime，andasunconscious。Asarule，SirCharleshadfounditratherdifficulttomeetthewomenofhiscolonyonapathwhichtheywerecapableoftreadingintelligently。Infairnesstothem，hehadalwayssoughtoutsometopicinwhichtheycouldtakeanequalpart——somethingconnectedwiththeconductofchildren，orthebetterventilationofthenewschool-houseandchapel。Butthesenew-comersdidnotrequirehimtoselecttopicsofconversation;theydidnotevenwaitforhimtofinishthosewhichhehimselfintroduced。Theyflittedfromoneendofthegardentotheotherwiththeeagernessoftwomidshipmenonshoreleave，andtheyfoundsomethingtoenjoyinwhatseemedtotheGovernorthemostcommonplaceofthings。TheZouaveuniformofthesentry，theoldSpanishcannonconvertedintopeacefulgate-posts，theaviarywithitsscreamingparoquets，thebotanicalstation，andeventheice-machinewereallobjectsofdelight。
　　Ontheotherhand，theinteriorofthefamouspalace，whichhadbeensentoutcompletefromLondon，andwhichwaswonttofillthewivesofthecolonialswithaweortoreducethemtowhispers，forsomereasonfailedofitseffect。Buttheysaidthey"loved"thelargegoldV。R。’sonthebackoftheCouncillors’chairs，andtheyexclaimedaloudovertheredleatherdespatch-boxesandthegreatsealofthecolony，andthemysteriousenvelopesmarked"OnherMajesty’sservice。"
　　"Isn’tittooexciting，Florence？"demandedMrs。Collier。"ThisisthetablewhereSirCharlessitsandwritesletters’onherMajesty’sservice，’andpressesthesebuttons，andwar-shipsspringupinperfectshoals。Oh，Robert，"shesighed，"IdowishyouhadbeenaGovernor！"
　　TheyoungladycalledFlorencestoodlookingdownintothegreatarm-chairinfrontoftheGovernor’stable。
　　"MayI？"sheasked。Sheslidfearlesslyinbetweentheoakarmsofthechairandsmiledabouther。AfterwardsSirCharlesrememberedherassheappearedatthatmomentwiththeredleatherofthechairbehindher，withherglovedhandsrestingonthecarvedoak，andherheadononeside，smilingupathim。Shegazedwithlargeeyesatthebluelinenenvelopes，thestiffdocumentsinredtape，thetrayofblacksand，andthegoose-
　　quillpens。
　　"IamnowtheCountessZika，"sheannounced;"no，IamDianaoftheCrossways，andImeantodiscoverastatesecretandsellittotheDailyTelegraph。SirCharles，"shedemanded，"ifI
　　pressthiselectricbuttoniswardeclaredanywhere，orwhathappens？"
　　"Thatsecondbutton，"saidSirCharles，afterdeliberatescrutiny，"istheonewhichcommunicateswiththepantry。"
　　TheGovernorwouldnotconsidertheirreturningtotheyachtforluncheon。
　　"Youmightdecidetosteamawayassuddenlyasyoucame，"hesaid，gallantly，"andIcannottakethatchance。ThisisBachelor’sHall，soyoumustpardonmypeopleifthingsdonotgoverysmoothly。"Hehimselfledthemtothegreatguest-chamber，wheretherehadnotbeenaguestformanyyears，andhenoticed，asthoughforthefirsttime，thatthehallsthroughwhichtheypassedwerebare，andthatthefloorwaslitteredwithunpackedboxesandgun-cases。Healsoobservedforthefirsttimethatmapsofthecolony，withthecoffee-plantationsandmahoganybeltmarkedindifferentinks，werenotperhapssodecorativeaspicturesandmirrorsandfamilyportraits。Andhecouldhavewishedthatthenativeservantshadnotstaredsoadmiringlyattheguests，nordirectedeachotherinsuchaggressivewhispers。
　　Onthoseotheroccasions，whenthewivesoftheCouncillorscametothesemi-annualdinners，thenativeservantshadseemedadequatetoallthatwasrequiredofthem。Herecollectedwithaflushthatinthetownthesesemi-annualdinnersweredescribedasbanquets。Hewonderediftothesevisitorsfromtheoutsideworlditwasallequallyprovincial。
　　Buttheirenjoymentwasapparentlyunfeignedandgenerous。Itwasevidentthattheyhadknowneachotherformanyyears，yettheyreceivedeveryremarkthatanyofthemmadeasthoughithadbeenpronouncedbyanewandinterestingacquaintance。SirCharlesfounditratherdifficulttokeepupwiththetalkacrossthetable，theychangedthesubjectsorapidly，andtheyhalfspokeofsomanythingswithoutwaitingtoexplain。Hecouldnotatoncegraspthefactthatpeoplewhohadnootherpositionintheworldsavethatofobserverswerespeakingsoauthoritativelyofpublicmenandpublicmeasures。Hefound，tohisdelight，thatforthefirsttimeinseveralyearshewasnotpresidingathisowntable，andthathisguestsseemedtofeelnoaweofhim。
　　"What’stheuseofayachtnowadays？"Collierwassaying——"
　　what’stheuseofayacht，whenyoucangotosleepinawagon-
　　litattheGareduNord，andwakeupatVladivostok？Andlookatthetimeitsaves;elevendaystoGib，sixtoPortSaid，andfifteentoColombo——thereyouare，onlyhalf-wayaround，andyou’realreadysixteendaysbehindthemaninthewagon-lit。"
　　"ButnobodywantstogotoVladivostok，"saidMissCameron，"oranywhereelseinawagon-lit。Butwithayachtyoucanexploreout-of-the-wayplaces，andyoumeetnewandinterestingpeople。
　　Wewouldn’thavemetSirCharlesifwehadwaitedforawagon-
　　lit。"ShebowedherheadtotheGovernor，andhesmiledwithgratitude。HehadlostMr。ColliersomewhereintheIndianOcean，andhewasgladshehadbroughtthembacktotheWindlessIslesoncemore。
　　"AndagainIrepeatthattheanswertothatis，’Whynot？saidtheMarchHare，’"remarkedMr。Collier，determinedly。
　　Theanswer，asananswer，didnotstrikeSirCharlesasaverygoodone。Buttheladiesseemedtocomprehend，forMissCameronsaid："DidItellyouaboutmeetinghimatOxfordjustafewmonthsbeforehisdeath——atachildren’stea-party？Hewassosweetandunderstandingwiththem！Twowomentriedtolionizehim，andheranawayandplayedwiththechildren。IwasmoregladtomeethimthananyoneIcanthinkof。Notasapersonage，youknow，butbecauseIfeltgratefultohim。"
　　"Yes，thatway，distinctly，"saidMrs。Collier。"IshouldhavefeltthatwaytowardsMrs。Ewingmorethananyoneelse。"
　　"Iknow，’Jackanapes，’"remarkedCollier，shortly;"abrutalassaultuponthefeelings，Isay。"
　　"Someoneelsesaiditbeforeyou，Robert，"Mrs。Colliercommented，calmly。"PerhapsSirCharlesmethimatApia。"Theyallturnedandlookedathim。HewishedhecouldsayhehadmethimatApia。Hedidnotquiteseehowtheyhadmadetheirwayfromachildren’steapartyatOxfordtotheSouthPacificislands，buthewasanxioustojoininsomewherewithacleverobservation。Buttheyneverseemedtosettleinoneplacesufficientlylongforhimtorecollectwhatheknewofit。HehopedtheywouldgetaroundtothewestcoastofAfricaintime。
　　HehadbeenGovernorofSierraLeoneforfiveyears。
　　Hissuccessthatnightatdinnerontheyachtwasfarbetter。
　　Theothersseemedalittletiredafterthehoursofsight-seeingtowhichhehadtreatedthem，andtheywerecontenttolisten。
　　IntheabsenceofMr。Clarges，whoknewthemwordbyword，hefeltfreetotellhisthreestoriesoflifeatSierraLeone。Hetookhistimeinthetelling，andcouldcongratulatehimselfthathiseffortshadneverbeenmorekeenlyappreciated。Hefeltthathewasholdinghisown。
　　Thenightwasstillandwarm，andwhilethemenlingeredbelowatthetable，thetwowomenmountedtothedeckandwatchedthelightsofthetownastheyvanishedonebyoneandleftthemooninunchallengedpossessionoftheharbor。ForalongtimeMissCameronstoodsilent，lookingoutacrossthebayattheshoreandthehillsbeyond。Afishsplashednearthem，andthesoundofoarsrosefromthemistthatfloatedabovethewater，untiltheyweremuffledinthedistance。Thepalmsalongtheshoreglistenedlikesilver，andoverheadtheSouthernCrossshonewhiteagainstaskyofpurple。ThesilencedeepenedandcontinuedforsolongatimethatMrs。Collierfeltitssignificance，andwaitedforthegirltoendit。
　　MissCameronraisedhereyestothestarsandfrowned。"Iamnotsurprisedthatheiscontenttostayhere，"shesaid。"Areyou？
　　Itissobeautiful，sowonderfullybeautiful。"
　　ForamomentMrs。Colliermadenoanswer。"Twoyearsisalongtime，Florence，"shesaid;"andheisallIhave;heisnotonlymyonlybrother，heistheonlylivingsoulwhoisrelatedtome。
　　Thatmakesitharder。"
　　Thegirlseemedtofindsomeimpliedreproachinthespeech，forsheturnedandlookedatherfriendclosely。"Doyoufeelitismyfault，Alice？"sheasked。
　　Theolderwomanshookherhead。"Howcoulditbeyourfault？"
　　sheanswered。"Ifyoucouldn’tlovehimenoughtomarryhim，youcouldn’t，that’sall。Butthatisnoreasonwhyheshouldhavehiddenhimselffromallofus。Evenifhecouldnotstandbeingnearyou，caringashedid，heneednothavetreatedmeso。
　　Wehavedoneallwecando，andRoberthasbeenmorethanfineaboutit。HeandhisagentshavewrittentoeveryconsulandbusinesshouseinCentralAmerica，andIdon’tbelievethereisacitythathehasn’tvisited。Hehassenthimmoneyandletterstoeverybankandtoeverypost-office——"
　　Thegirlraisedherheadquickly。
　　"——buthenevercallsforeither，"Mrs。Colliercontinued，"forI
　　knowthatifhehadreadmylettershewouldhavecomehome。"
　　Thegirlliftedherheadasthoughshewereabouttospeak，andthenturnedandwalkedslowlyaway。Afterafewmomentsshereturned，andstood，withherhandsrestingontherail，lookingdownintothewater。"Iwrotehimtwoletters，"shesaid。Inthesilenceofthenighthervoicewasunusuallyclearanddistinct。"I——youmakemewonder——iftheyeverreachedhim。"
　　Mrs。Collier，withhereyesfixeduponthegirl，roseslowlyfromherchairandcametowardsher。ShereachedoutherhandandtouchedMissCamerononthearm。
　　"Florence，"shesaid，inawhisper，"haveyou——"
　　Thegirlraisedherheadslowly，andlowereditagain。"Yes，"
　　sheanswered;"Itoldhimtocomeback——tocomebacktome。
　　Alice，"shecried，"I——Ibeggedhimtocomeback！"Shetossedherhandsapartandagainwalkedrapidlyaway，leavingtheolderwomanstandingmotionless。
　　Amomentlater，whenSirCharlesandMr。Colliersteppedoutuponthedeck，theydiscoveredthetwowomenstandingclosetogether，twowhite，ghostlyfiguresinthemoonlight，andastheyadvancedtowardsthemtheysawMrs。Colliertakethegirlforaninstantinherarms。
　　SirCharleswasaskingMissCameronhowlongshethoughtanimmigrantshouldbemadetoworkforhisfreeholdallotment，whenMr。Collierandhiswiferoseatthesamemomentanddepartedonseparateerrands。Theymetmostmysteriouslyintheshadowofthewheel-house。
　　"Whatisit？IsanythingwrongwithFlorence？"Collierasked，anxiously。"Nothomesick，isshe？"
　　Mrs。Collierputherhandsonherhusband’sshouldersandshookherhead。
　　"Wrong？No，thankHeaven！it’sasrightasrightcanbe！"shecried。"She’swrittentohimtocomeback，buthe’sneveranswered，andso——andnowit’sallright。"
　　Mr。Colliergazedblanklyathiswife’supturnedface。"Well，I
　　don’tseethat，"heremonstrated。"What’stheuseofherbeinginlovewithhimnowwhenhecan’tbefound？What？Whydidn’tshelovehimtwoyearsagowhenhewaswhereyoucouldgetathim——atherhouse，forinstance。Hewastheremostofhistime。
　　Shewouldhavesavedalotoftrouble。However，"headded，energetically，"thismakesitabsolutelynecessarytofindthatyoungmanandbringhimtohissenses。We’llsearchthisplaceforthenextfewdays，andthenwe’lltrythemainlandagain。I
　　thinkI’llofferarewardforhim，andhaveitprintedinSpanish，andpasteitupinalltheplazas。WemightaddalineinEnglish，’Shehaschangedhermind。’Thatwouldbringhimhome，wouldn’tit？"
　　"Don’tbeunfeeling，Robert，"saidMrs。Collier。
　　Herhusbandraisedhiseyesappealingly，andaddressedhimselftothemoon。"Iaskyounow，"hecomplained，"isthatfairtoamanwhohasspentsixmonthsonmulebacktryingtoroundupaprodigalbrother-in-law？"
　　Thatsameevening，aftertheladieshadgonebelow，Mr。CollieraskedSirCharlestoassisthiminhissearchforhiswife’sbrother，andSirCharlesheartilypromisedhismostactiveco-
　　operation。TherewereseveralAmericansatworkintheinterior，hesaid，asoverseersonthecoffee-plantations。Itwaspossiblethattherunawaymightbeamongthem。Itwasonlythatmorning，SirCharlesremembered，thatanAmericanhadbeenatwork"repairinghislawn-mower，"asheconsideratelyexpressedit。Hewouldsendforhimonthemorrow。
　　Butonthemorrowtheslaveofthelawn-mowerwasreportedonthelistofprisonersas"missing，"andCorporalMallonwasgrieved，butrefusedtoconsiderhimselfresponsible。SirCharleshimselfhadallowedthevagrantunusualfreedom，andthevagranthadtakenadvantageofit，andprobablyescapedtothehills，oruptherivertothelogwoodcamp。
　　"TelegraphadescriptionofhimtoInspectorGarrett，"SirCharlesdirected，"andtotheheadsofallupstations。Andwhenhereturns，bringhimtome。"
　　SogreatwashiszealthatSirCharlesfurtherofferedtojoinMr。Collierinhissearchamongtheoutlyingplantations;butMr。
　　Collierpreferredtoworkalone。Heaccordinglysetoutatonce，armedwithletterstothedifferentdistrictinspectors，andinhisabsencedelegatedtoSirCharlesthepleasantdutyofcaringforthewantsofMissCameronandhiswife。SirCharlesregardedthelatterasdeservingofallsympathy，forMr。Collier，inhiseffortstoconcealthefactfromtheGovernorthatFlorenceCameronwasresponsible，orinanywayconcerned，inthedisappearanceofthemissingman，hadbeentoomysterious。SirCharleswasconvincedthatthefugitivehadswindledhisbrother-
　　in-lawandstolenhissister’sjewels。
　　ThedayswhichfollowedweretotheGovernordaysandnightsofstrangediscoveries。Herecognizedthatthemissionariesfromthegreatoutsideworldhadinvadedhisshoresanddisturbedhisgodsandtemples。Theirreligionofprogressandactivityfilledhimwithdoubtandunrest。
　　"Inthiscentury，"Mr。Collierhaddeclared，"nothingcanstandstill。It’sthesamewithacorporation，oracountry，oraman。
　　Wemusteithermarchaheadorfallout。Wecan’tmarktime。
　　What？"
　　"Exactly——certainlynot，"SirCharleshadanswered。Butinhisheartheknewthathehimselfhadbeenmarkingtimeunderthesesofttropicalskieswhiletheworldwaspushingforward。Thethoughthadnotdisturbedhimbefore。Nowhefeltguilty。Heconceivedasuddenintolerance，ifnotcontempt，forthelittlevillageofwhitewashedhouses，fortheraftsofmahoganyandoflogwoodthatbumpedagainstthepier-heads，forthesacksofcoffeepiledhighlikebarricadesunderthecorrugatedzincshedsalongthewharf。Eachseasonithadbeenhispridetonotetheincreaseintheseexports。ThedevelopmentoftheresourcesofhiscolonyhadbeenaworkinwhichhehadfeltthattheColonialSecretarytookanimmediateinterest。HehadbelievedthathewasoneoftheimportantwheelsofthemachinerywhichmovedtheBritishEmpire：andnow，inaday，hewasundeceived。
　　Itwasforceduponhimthattotheeyesoftheoutsideworldhewasonlyagreengroceroperatingonalargescale;heprovidedtheBritishpublicwithcoffeeforitsbreakfast，withdrugsforitsstomach，andwithstrangewoodsforitsdining-roomfurnitureandwalking-sticks。Hecombatedthisignominiouscharacterizationofhispositionindignantly。Thenewarrivalscertainlygavehimnohintthattheyconsideredhimsolightly。
　　Thisthoughtgreatlycomfortedhim，forhefeltthatinsomewayhewassummoningtohisaidallofhisassetsandresourcestomeetanexpertandfinalvaluation。Asherangedthembeforehimhewasdisturbedandhappytofindthatthevalueheplaceduponthemwasthevaluetheywouldhaveintheeyesofayounggirl——
　　notagirloftheshy，mother-obeying，man-worshippingEnglishtype，butagirlsuchasMissCameronseemedtobe，agirlwhocouldunderstandwhatyouweretryingtosaybeforeyousaidit，whocouldtakeaninterestinratesofexchangeandpresideatadinnertable，whowascharminglyfeminineandclever，andwhowasrespectfulofherselfandofothers。Infact，hedecided，withaflush，thatMissCameronherselfwastheyounggirlhehadinhismind。
　　"Whynot？"heasked。
　　Thequestioncametohiminhisroom，thesixthnightoftheirvisit，andhestrodeovertothelongpier-glassandstoodstudyinghimselfcriticallyforthefirsttimeinyears。Hewasstillafine-looking，well-keptman。Hishairwasthin，butthatfactdidnotshow;andhiswaistwaslost，butridingandtenniswouldsetthatright。Hehadmeansoutsideofhisofficialsalary，andtherewasthetitle，suchasitwas。LadyGrevillethewifeofthebirthdayknightsoundedaswellasLadyGrevillethemarchioness。AndAmericanscaredforthesethings。HedoubtedwhetherthisparticularAmericanwoulddoso，buthewasaddingupallhehadtooffer，andthatwasoneoftheassets。
　　HewassureshewouldnotbecontenttoremainmistressoftheWindlessIsles。Nor，indeed，didhelongercaretobemasterthere，nowthathehadinhaledthisquick，stirringbreathfromtheouterworld。Hewouldresign，andreturnandmixwiththeworldagain。HewouldenterParliament;amansowellacquaintedashimselfwiththeGoldCoastofAfricaandwiththetradeoftheWestIndiesmustalwaysbeofvalueintheLowerHouse。Thisvaluewouldberecognized，nodoubt，andhewouldbecomeatfirstanUnder-SecretaryfortheColonies，andthen，intime，ColonialSecretaryandacabinetminister。Shewouldlikethat，hethought。Andafterthatplacehadbeenreached，allthingswerepossible。Foryearshehadnotdreamedsuchdreams——notsincehehadbeenaclerkintheForeignOffice。Theyseemedjustaspossiblenowastheyhadseemedrealthen，andjustasnear。Hefeltitwasallabsolutelyinhisownhands。
　　Hedescendedtothedining-roomwiththeairofamanwhoalreadyfeltthecaresofhighresponsibilityuponhisshoulders。Hisheadwaserectandhischestthrownforward。Hewastenyearsyounger;hismannerwasalert，assured，andgracious。AshepassedthroughthehallshewasimpatientofthefamiliarsettingsofGovernmentHouse;theyseemedtohimlikethefurnishingsofahotelwherehehadpaidhisbill，andwherehisluggagewaslyingstrappedfordepartureinthehallway。
　　Inhislibraryhesawonhistableanumberofpaperslyingopenwaitingforhissignature，thedog-taxamongtheothers。Hesmiledtorememberhowimportantithadseemedtohiminthepast——inthatpastofindolenceandeasycontent。Nowhewasonfiretoputthisrekindledambitiontowork，totellthewomanwhohadlighteditthatitwasallfromherandforher，thatwithoutherhehadexisted，thatnowhehadbeguntolive。
　　Theyhadneverfoundhimsodelighful{sic}asheappearedthatnight。Hewaslikeamanontheeveofaholiday。Hemadeajestofhispastefforts;hemadethemsee，ashenowsawitforthefirsttime，thatsideofthelifeoftheWindlessIsleswhichwasnarrowandpetty，evenridiculous。Hetalkedofbigmeninabigway;hecriticised，andexpounded，andadvancedhisowntheoriesofgovernmentandthepropercontrolofanempire。
　　Collier，whohadreturnedfromhisunsuccessfulsearchoftheplantations，shookhishead。
　　"It’sapityyouarenotinLondonnow，"hesaid，sincerely。
　　"Theyneedsomeonetherewhohasbeenonthespot。Theycan’tdirectthecoloniesfromwhattheyknowoftheminWhitehall。"
　　SirCharlesfingeredthedinnerclothnervously，andwhenhespoke，fixedhiseyesanxiouslyuponMissCameron。
　　"Doyouknow，"hesaid，"Ihavebeenthinkingofdoingthatverything，ofresigningmyposthereandgoingback，enteringParliament，andalltherestofit。"
　　Hisdeclarationmetwithaunanimouschorusofdelight。MissCameronnoddedherheadwitheagerapproval。
　　"Yes，ifIwereaman，thatiswhereIshouldwishtobe，"shesaid，"attheheartofit。Why，whateveryousayintheHouseofCommonsisheardallovertheworldthenextmorning。"
　　SirCharlesfeltthebloodtingleinhispulses。Hehadnotbeensostirredinyears。Herwordsrantohisheadlikewine。
　　Mr。Collierraisedhisglass。
　　"Here’stoournextmeeting，"hesaid，"ontheterraceoftheHouseofCommons。"
　　ButMissCameroninterrupted。"No;totheColonialSecretary，"
　　sheamended。
　　"Ohyes，"theyassented，rising，andsodrankhishealth，smilingdownuponhimwithkind，friendlyglancesandgood-will。
　　"TotheColonialSecretary，"theysaid。SirCharlesclaspedthearmsofhischairtightlywithhishands;hiseyeswerehalfclosed，andhislipspressedintoagrim，confidentsmile。Hefeltthatasinglewordfromherwouldmakeallthattheysuggestedpossible。Ifshecaredforsuchthings，theywerehers;hehadthemtogive;theywerereadylyingatherfeet。Heknewthatthepowerhadalwaysbeenwithhim，lyingdormantinhisheartandbrain。IthadonlywaitedforthetouchofthePrincesstowakeitintolife。
　　TheAmericanvisitorsweretosailforthemainlandthenextday，buthehadcometoknowthemsowellinthebriefperiodoftheirvisitthathefelthedaredspeaktoherthatsamenight。
　　AtleasthecouldgivehersomewordthatwouldkeephiminherminduntiltheymetagaininLondon，oruntilshehadconsideredheranswer。Hecouldnotexpecthertoansweratonce。Shecouldtakemuchtime。Whatelsehadhetodonowbuttowaitforheranswer？Itwasnowallthatmadelife。
　　Collierandhiswifehadlefttheverandaandhadcrossedthelawntowardsthewater’sedge。Themoonlightfellfulluponthemwithallthesplendorofthetropics，andlitthenightwithabrilliant，dazzlingradiance。FromwhereMissCameronsatontheverandaintheshadow，SirCharlescouldseeonlythewhiteoutlineofherfigureandtheindolentmovementofherfan。
　　Collierhadlefthiswifeandwasreturningslowlytowardsthestep。SirCharlesfeltthatifhemeanttospeakhemustspeaknow，andquickly。Heroseandplacedhimselfbesideherintheshadow，andthegirlturnedherheadinquiringlyandlookedupathim。
　　Butontheinstantthehushofthenightwasbrokenbyasharpchallenge，andthesoundofmen’svoicesraisedinanger;
　　therewasthenoiseofastruggleonthegravel，andfromthecornerofthehousethetwosentriescamerunning，draggingbetweenthemaslightfigurethatfoughtandwrestledtobefree。
　　SirCharlesexclaimedwithindignantimpatience，andturning，strodequicklytotheheadofthesteps。
　　"Whatdoesthismean？"hedemanded。"Whatareyoudoingwiththatman？Whydidyoubringhimhere？"
　　Asthesoldiersstraightenedtoattention，theirprisonerceasedtostruggle，andstoodwithhisheadbentonhischest。Hissombrerowaspulleddownlowacrosshisforehead。
　　"Hewascrawlingthroughthebushes，SirCharles，"thesoldierpanted，"watchingthatgentleman，sir，"——henoddedoverhisshouldertowardsCollier。"Ichallenged，andhejumpedtorun，andwecollaredhim。Heresisted，SirCharles。"
　　ThemindoftheGovernorwasconcernedwithothermattersthantrespassers。
　　"Well，takehimtothebarracks，then，"hesaid。"Reporttomeinthemorning。Thatwilldo。"
　　Theprisonerwheeledeagerly，withoutfurthershowofresistance，andthesoldiersclosedinonhimoneitherside。Butasthethreemenmovedawaytogether，theirfaces，whichhadbeeninshadow，werenowturnedtowardsMr。Collier，whowasadvancingleisurely，andwithsilentfootsteps，acrossthegrass。Hemetthemfacetoface，andashedidsotheprisonersprangbackandthrewouthisarmsinfrontofhim，withthegestureofamanwhoentreatssilence。Mr。Collierhaltedasthoughstrucktostone，andthetwomenconfrontedeachotherwithoutmoving。
　　"GoodGod！"Mr。Collierwhispered。
　　Heturnedstifflyandslowly，asthoughinatrance，andbeckonedtohiswife，whohadfollowedhim。
　　"Alice！"hecalled。Hesteppedbackwardstowardsher，andtakingherhandinoneofhis，drewhertowardstheprisoner。"Hereheis！"hesaid。
　　Theyheardhercry"Henry！"withthefiercenessofacallforhelp，andsawherrushforwardandstumbleintothearmsoftheprisoner，andtheirtwoheadswerebentclosetogether。
　　Collierranupthestepsandexplainedbreathlessly。
　　"Andnow，"hegasped，inconclusion，"what’stobedone？What’shearrestedfor？Isitbailable？What？"
　　"Goodheavens！"exclaimedSirCharles，miserably。"Itismyfaultentirely。IassureyouIhadnoidea。HowcouldI？ButI
　　shouldhaveknown，Ishouldhaveguessedit。"Hedismissedthesentrieswithagesture。"Thatwilldo，"hesaid。"Returntoyourposts。"
　　Mr。Collierlaughedwithrelief。
　　"Thenitisnotserious？"heasked。
　　"He——hehadnomoney，thatwasall，"exclaimedSirCharles。
　　"Serious？Certainlynot。Uponmyword，I’msorry——"
　　Theyoungmanhadreleasedhimselffromhissister’sembrace，andwascomingtowardsthem;andSirCharles，eagertoredeemhimself，advancedhurriedlytogreethim。Buttheyoungmandidnotseehim;hewaslookingpasthimupthestepstowhereMissCameronstoodintheshadow。
　　SirCharleshesitatedanddrewback。Theyoungmanstoppedatthefootofthesteps，andstoodwithhisheadraised，staringupatthewhitefigureofthegirl，whocameslowlyforward。
　　ItwasforceduponSirCharlesthatinspiteofthefactthattheyoungmanbeforethemhadbutjustthenbeenrescuedfromarrest，thatinspiteofhismeangarmentsandraggedsandals，somethingabouthim——theglamourthatsurroundstheprodigal，orpossiblythemoonlight——gavehimanairofgreatdignityanddistinction。
　　AsMissCamerondescendedthestairs，SirCharlesrecognizedforthefirsttimethattheyoungmanwasremarkablyhandsome，andheresentedit。Ithurthim，asdidalsotheprodigal’syouthandhisassuredbearing。Hefeltasuddensinkingfear，aweakeningofallhisvitalforces，andhedrewinhisbreathslowlyanddeeply。Butnoonenoticedhim;theywerelookingatthetallfigureoftheprodigal，standingwithhishatathishipandhisheadthrownback，holdingthegirlwithhiseyes。
　　ColliertouchedSirCharlesonthearm，andnoddedhisheadtowardsthelibrary。"Come，"hewhispered，"letusoldpeopleleavethemtogether。They’veagooddealtosay。"SirCharlesobeyedinsilence，andcrossingthelibrarytothegreatoakchair，seatedhimselfandleanedwearilyonthetablebeforehim。
　　Hepickeduponeofthegoosequillsandbeganseparatingitintolittlepieces。Mr。Collierwaspacingupanddown，bitingexcitedlyontheendofhiscigar。"Well，thishascertainlybeenagreatnight，"hesaid。"Anditisallduetoyou，SirCharles——allduetoyou。Yes，theyhaveyoutothankforit。"
　　"They？"saidSirCharles。Heknewthatithadtocome。Hewantedthemantostrikequickly。
　　"They？Yes——FlorenceCameronandHenry，"Mr。Collieranswered。
　　"Henrywentawaybecauseshewouldn’tmarryhim。Shedidn’tcareforhimthen，butafterwardsshecared。Nowthey’rereunited，——
　　andsothey’rehappy;andmywifeismorethanhappy，andIwon’thavetobotheranymore;andit’sallright，andallthroughyou。"
　　"Iamglad，"saidSirCharles。Therewasalongpause，whichthemen，eachdeepinhisownthoughts，didnotnotice。
　　"Youwillbeleavingnow，Isuppose？"SirCharlesasked。Hewaslookingdown，examiningthebrokenpeninhishand。
　　Mr。Collierstoppedinhiswalkandconsidered。"Yes，Isupposetheywillwanttogetback，"hesaid。"Ishallbesorrymyself。
　　Andyou？Whatwillyoudo？"
　　SirCharlesstartedslightly。Hehadnotyetthoughtwhathewoulddo。Hiseyeswanderedovertheneglectedwork，whichhadaccumulatedonthedeskbeforehim。Onlyanhourbeforehehadthoughtofitaspettyandlittle，assomethingunworthyofhisenergy。Sincethattimewhatchangehadtakenplaceinhim？
　　Forhimeverythinghadchanged，heanswered，butinhimtherehadbeennochange;andifthisthingwhichthegirlhadbroughtintohislifehadmeantthebestinlife，itmustalwaysmeanthat。
　　Shehadbeenaninspiration;shemustremainhisspringofaction。Washeaslave，heaskedhimself，thatheshouldrebel？
　　Washeaboy，thathecouldturnhislovetoaughtbutthebestaccount？Hemustrememberhernotasthewomanwhohadcrushedhisspirit，butasshewhohadhelpedhim，whohadliftedhimuptosomethingbetterandfiner。Hewouldmakesacrificeinhername;itwouldbeinhernamethathewouldrisetohighplacesandaccomplishmuchgood。
　　Shewouldnotknowthis，buthewouldknow。
　　Heroseandbrushedthepapersawayfromhimwithanimpatientsweepofthehand。
　　"IshallfollowouttheplanofwhichIspokeatdinner，"heanswered。"Ishallresignhere，andreturnhomeandenterParliament。"
　　Mr。Collierlaughedadmiringly。"IlovethewayyouEnglishtakeyourshareofpubliclife，"hesaid，"thewayyouspendyourselvesforyourcountry，andgiveyourbrains，yourlives，everythingyouhave——allfortheempire。"
　　ThroughtheopenwindowSirCharlessawMissCameronhalfhiddenbythevinesoftheveranda。Themoonlightfallingabouthertransformedherintoafigurewhichwasideal，mysterious，andelusive，likeawomaninadream。Heshookhisheadwearily。
　　"Fortheempire？"heasked。
　　THELASTRIDETOGETHER
　　ASKETCHCONTAININGTHREEPOINTSOFVIEW
　　WhatthePoetLaureatewrote。
　　"TherearegirlsintheGoldReefCityTherearemothersandchildrentoo！
　　Andtheycry’Hurryupforpity！’
　　Sowhatcanabravemando？
　　"Isupposewewerewrong，weremadmen，StillIthinkattheJudgmentDay，WhenGodsiftsthegoodfromthebadmen，There’llbesomethingmoretosay。"
　　WhatmoretheLordChiefJusticefoundtosay。
　　"Inthiscaseweknowtheimmediateconsequenceofyourcrime。
　　Ithasbeenthelossofhumanlife，ithasbeenthedisturbanceofpublicpeace，ithasbeenthecreationofacertainsenseofdistrustofpublicprofessionsandofpublicfaith……ThesentenceofthisCourtthereforeisthat，astoyou，LeanderStarrJameson，youbeconfinedforaperiodoffifteenmonthswithouthardlabor;thatyou，SirJohnWilloughby，havetenmonths’imprisonment;andthatyou，etc。，etc。"
　　LondonTimes，July29th。
　　WhattheHon。"Reggie"Blakethoughtaboutit。
　　"H。M。HOLLOWAYPRISON，"July28th。
　　"IamgoingtokeepadiarywhileIaminprison，thatis，iftheywillletme。IneverkeptonebeforebecauseIhadn’tthetime;whenIwashomeonleavetherewastoomuchgoingontobotheraboutit，andwhenIwasupcountryIalwayscamebackafteraday’sridingsotiredthatIwastoosleepytowriteanything。AndnowthatIhavethetime，Iwon’thaveanythingtowriteabout。Ifancythatmorethingshappenedtometodaythanarelikelytohappenagainforthenexteightmonths，soI
　　willmakethisdaytakeupasmuchroominthediaryasitcan。
　　IamwritingthisonthebackofthepapertheWarderusesforhisofficialreports，whileheishuntingupcellstoputusin。
　　Wecamedownonhimratherunexpectedlyandheisnervous。
　　"Ofcourse，Ihadpreparedmyselfforthisafterafashion，butnowIseethatsomehowIneverreallydidthinkIwouldbeinhere，andallmyfriendsoutside，andeverythinggoingonjustthesameasthoughIwasn’talivesomewhere。It’sliketellingyourselfthatyourhorsecan’tpossiblypulloffarace，sothatyouwon’tmindsomuchifhedoesn’t，butyoualwaysfeeljustasbadwhenhecomesinaloser。Amancan’tfoolhimselfintothinkingonewaywhenheishopingtheother。
　　"ButIamgladitisover，andsettled。Itwasagreatborenotknowingyourluckandhavingthethinghangingoveryourheadeverymorningwhenyouwokeup。Indeeditwasquiteareliefwhenthecounselgotallthrougharguingoverthoseproclamations，andtheChiefJusticesummedup，butInearlywenttosleepwhenIfoundhewasgoingalloveritagaintothejury。Ididn’tunderstandaboutthoseproclamationsmyselfandI’lllayafiverthejurydidn’teither。TheColonelsaidhedidn’t。Icouldn’tkeepmymindonwhatRussellwasexplainingabout，andIgottothinkinghowmucholdJusticeHawkinslookedlikethecounselin’AliceinWonderland’whentheytriedtheknaveofspadesforstealingthetarts。Hehadjustthesamesortofabeakandthesamesortofawig，andIwonderedwhyhehadhiswigpowderedandtheothersdidn’t。Pollock’swighadaholeinthetop;youcouldseeitwhenhebentovertotakenotes。Hewasalwaystakingnotes。Idon’tbelieveheunderstoodaboutthoseproclamationseither;heneverseemedtolisten，anyway。
　　"TheChiefJusticecertainlydidn’tloveusverymuch，that’ssure;andhewasn’tgoingtoletanybodyelseloveuseither。I
　　feltquitetheChristianMartyrwhenSirEdwardwasspeakingindefence。HemadeitsoundasthoughwewereallalotofAdelphiheroesandoughttobepromotedandhavemedals，butwhenLordRussellstartedintoreadtheRiotActatusIbegantobelievethathangingwastoogoodforme。I’msureIneverknewIwasdisturbingthepeaceofnations;itseemslikesuchalargeorderforasubaltern。
　　"Buttheworstwaswhentheymadeusstandupbeforeallthosepeopletobesentenced。ImustsayIfeltshakyaboutthekneesthen，notbecauseIwasafraidofwhatwascoming，butbecauseitwasthefirsttimeIhadeverbeenpointedoutbeforepeople，andmadetofeelashamed。Andhavingthosegirlsthere，too，lookingatone。Thatwasn’tjustfairtous。Itmademefeelabouttenyearsold，andIrememberedhowtheHeadMasterusedtocallmetohisdeskandsay，’BlakeSenior，twopagesofHoraceandkeepinboundsforaweek。’AndthenIheardournamesandthemonths，andmynameand’eightmonths’imprisonment，’andtherewasabustleandmurmurandthetipstavescried，’OrderintheCourt，’andtheJudgesstoodupandshookouttheirbigredskirtsasthoughtheywereshakingoffthecontaminationofourpresenceandrustledaway，andIsatdown，wonderinghowlongeightmonthswas，andwishingthey’dgivenmeasmuchastheygaveJameson。
　　"Theyputusinaroomtogetherthen，andourcounselsaidhowsorrytheywere，andshookhands，andwentofftodinnerandleftus。Ithoughttheymighthavewaitedwithusandbeenalittlelatefordinnerjustthatonce;butnoonewaitedexceptalotofcostersoutsidewhomwedidnotknow。Itwaseighto’clockandstillquitelightwhenwecameout，andtherewasalineoffour-
　　wheelersandahansomreadyforus。I’dbeenhopingtheywouldtakeusoutbytheStrandentrance，justbecauseI’dliketohaveseenitagain，buttheymarchedusinsteadthroughthemainquadrangle——abeastly，gloomycourtyardthatechoed，andout，intoCareyStreet——suchadirty，gloomystreet。Thecostersandclerkssetupasortofacheerwhenwecameout，andoneofthemcried，’Godblessyou，sir，’tothedoctor，butIwassorrytheycheered。Itseemedlikekickingagainsttheumpire’sdecision。
　　TheColonelandIgotintoahansomtogetherandwetrottedoffintoChanceryLaneandturnedintoHolborn。Mostoftheshopswereclosed，andthestreetslookedempty，buttherewasalightedclock-faceoverMooney’spublic-house，andthehandsstoodataquarterpasteight。Ididn’tknowwhereHollowaywas，andwashopingtheywouldhavetotakeusthroughsomedecentstreetstoreachit;butwedidn’tseeapartofthecitythatmeantanythingtome，orthatIwouldchoosetotravelthroughagain。
　　"Neitherofustalked，andIimaginedthatthepeopleinthestreetsknewweweregoingtoprison，andIkeptmyeyesontheenamelcardonthebackoftheapron。IsupposeIread，’Two-
　　wheeledhackneycarriage：ifhiredanddischargedwithinthefour-milelimit，1s。’atleastahundredtimes。Igotmoresensibleafterabit，andwhenwehadturnedintoGray’sInnRoadIlookedupandsawatraminfrontofuswith’HollowayRoadandKing’sX，’paintedonthesteps，andtheColonelsawitaboutthesametimeIfancy，forweeachlookedattheother，andtheColonelraisedhiseyebrows。Itshowedusthatatleastthecabmanknewwhereweweregoing。
　　"’TheymighthavetakenusforaturnthroughtheWestEndfirst，Ithink，’theColonelsaid。’I’dliketohavehadalookaround，wouldn’tyou？Thisisn’tacheerfulneighborhood，isit？’
　　"TherewerealotofchildrenplayinginSt。Andrew’sGardens，andacrowdofthemranoutjustaswepassed，shriekingandlaughingovernothing，thewaykiddiesdo，andthatwasabouttheonlypleasantsightintheride。IhadquiteaturnwhenwecametotheNewHospitaljustbeyond，forIthoughtitwasHolloway，anditcameovermewhateightmonthsinsuchaplacemeant。I
　　believeifIhadn’tpulledmyselfupsharp，I’dhavejumpedoutintothestreetandrunaway。Itdidn’tlastmorethanafewseconds，butIdon’twantanymorelikethem。Iwasafraid，afraid——there’snousepretendingitwasanythingelse。Iwasinadumb，sillyfunk，andIturnedsickinsideandshook，asIhaveseenahorseshakewhenheshiesatnothingandsweatsandtremblesdownhissides。
　　"DuringthosefewsecondsitseemedtobemorethanIcouldstand;IfeltsurethatIcouldn’tdoit——thatI’dgomadiftheytriedtoforceme。Theideawassoterrible——ofnotbeingmasteroveryourownlegsandarms，tohaveyourfleshandbloodandwhatbrainsGodgaveyouburiedaliveinstonewallsasthoughtheywereinasafewithatime-lockonthedoorsetforeightmonthsahead。There’snothingtobeafraidofinastonewallreally，butit’stheideaofthething——ofnotbeingfreetomoveabout，especiallytoachapthathasalwayslivedintheopenasIhave，andhashadmenunderhim。ItwasnowonderIwasinafunkforaminute。I’llbetafivertheotherswere，too，ifthey’llonlyownuptoit。Idon’tmeanforlong，butjustwhentheideafirstlaidholdofthem。Anyway，itwasagoodlessontome，andifIcatchmyselfthinkingofitagainI’llwhistle，ortalktomyselfoutloudandthinkofsomethingcheerful。AndIdon’tmeantobeoneofthosechapswhospendshistimeinjailcountingthestonesinhiscell，ortrainingspiders，ormeasuringhowmanyofhisstepsmakeamile，formadnessliesthatway。ImeantosittightandthinkofallthegoodtimesI’vehad，andgoovertheminmymindveryslowly，soastomakethemlastlongerandrememberwhowasthereandwhatwesaid，andthejokesandallthat;I’llgooverhouse-partiesI
　　havebeenon，andthetimesI’vehadintheRiviera，andscoutingpartiesDr。JimledupcountrywhenweweretakingMatabeleLand。
　　"Theysaythatifyou’regoodheretheygiveyouthingstoreadafteramonthortwo，andthenIcanreadupallthoseinstructivebooksthatafellowneverdoesreaduntilhe’slaidupinbed。
　　"Butthat’scrowdingaheadabit;Imustkeeptowhathappenedto-day。WestruckYorkRoadatthebackoftheGreatWesternTerminus，andIhalfhopedwemightseesomechapweknewcomingorgoingaway：Iwouldliketohavewavedmyhandtohim。Itwouldhavebeenfuntohaveseenhissurprisethenextmorningwhenhereadinthepaperthathehadbeenbowingtojail-birds，andthenIwouldliketohavecheatedthetipstavesoutofjustonemorefriendlygood-by。Iwantedtosaygood-bytosomebody，butIreallycouldn’tfeelsorrytoseethelastofanyoneofthosewepassedinthestreets——theyweresuchadirty，unhappy-lookinglot，andtherailroadwallranonforeverapparently，andwemighthavebeeninaforeigncountryforallweknewofit。Therewerejustsootygraybricktenementsandgas-worksononeside，andtherailroadcuttingontheother，andsemaphoresandtelegraphwiresoverhead，andsmokeandgrimeeverywhere，itlookedexactlylikethesortofstreetthatshouldleadtoaprison，anditseemedapitytotakeasmarthansomandagoodcobintoit。
　　"Itwasjustabitdifferentfromourlastridetogether——whenwerodethroughthenightfromKrugers-Dorpwithhundredsofhorses’
　　hoofspoundingonthesoftveldtbehindus，andthecarbinesclankingagainstthestirrupsastheyswungontheslingbelts。
　　Wewerebeinghuntedthen，harassedoneitherside，scurryingforourlivesliketheDerbyDoginarace-trackwheneveryonehootshimandnomanstepsouttohelp——weweresickforsleep，sickforfood，lashedbytherain，andweknewthatwewerebeaten;butwewerefreestill，andunderopenskieswiththederricksoftheRandrisinglikegallowsonourleft，andJohannesburgonlyfifteenmilesaway。"