’DoyourememberwhereIusedtokeepmybank—book？’saidhe。’Torptookittobebalancedjustbeforehewentaway。Lookandsee。’
　　’Itwasgenerallyunderthetobacco—jar。Ah！’
　　’Well？’
　　’Oh！Fourthousandtwohundredandtenpoundsnineshillingsandapenny！Ohmy！’
　　’Youcanhavethepenny。That’snotbadforoneyear’swork。Isthatandahundredandtwentypoundsayeargoodenough？’
　　Theidlenessandtheprettyclotheswerealmostwithinherreachnow，butshemust，bybeinghousewifely，showthatshedeservedthem。
　　’Yes；butyou’dhavetomove，andifwetookaninventory，Ithinkwe’dfindthatMr。Beetonhasbeenprigginglittlethingsoutoftheroomshereandthere。Theydon’tlookasfullastheyused。’
　　’Nevermind，we’lllethimhavethem。TheonlythingI’mparticularlyanxioustotakeawayisthatpictureIusedyoufor——whenyouusedtoswearatme。We’llpulloutofthisplace，Bess，andgetawayasfaraseverwecan。’
　　’Ohyes，’shesaiduneasily。
　　’Idon’tknowwhereIcangotogetawayfrommyself，butI’lltry，andyoushallhavealltheprettyfrocksthatyoucarefor。You’lllikethat。
　　Givemethatkissnow，Bess。Yegods！it’sgoodtoputone’sarmroundawoman’swaistagain。’
　　Thencamethefulfilmentoftheprophecywithinthebrain。IfhisarmwerethusroundMaisie’swaistandakisshadjustbeengivenandtakenbetweenthem，——whythen……Hepressedthegirlmorecloselytohimselfbecausethepainwhippedhim。ShewaswonderinghowtoexplainalittleaccidenttotheMelancolia。Atanyrate，ifthismanreallydesiredthesolaceofhercompany——andcertainlyhewouldrelapseintohisoriginalsloughifshewithdrewit——hewouldnotbemorethanjustalittlevexed。
　　Itwouldbedelightfulatleasttoseewhatwouldhappen，andbyherteachingsitwasgoodforamantostandincertainaweofhiscompanion。
　　Shelaughednervously，andslippedoutofhisreach。
　　’Ishouldn’tworritaboutthatpictureifIwasyou，’shebegan，inthehopeofturninghisattention。
　　’It’satthebackofallmycanvasessomewhere。Findit，Bess；youknowitaswellasIdo。’
　　’Iknow——but——’
　　’Butwhat？You’vewitenoughtomanagethesaleofittoadealer。
　　Womenhagglemuchbetterthanmen。Itmightbeamatterofeightorninehundredpoundsto——tous。Isimplydidn’tliketothinkaboutitforalongtime。Itwasmixedupwithmylifeso。——Butwe’llcoverupourtracksandgetridofeverything，eh？Makeafreshstartfromthebeginning，Bess。’
　　Thenshebegantorepentverymuchindeed，becausesheknewthevalueofmoney。Still，itwasprobablethattheblindmanwasoverestimatingthevalueofhiswork。Gentlemen，sheknew，wereabsurdlyparticularabouttheirthings。Shegiggledasanervoushousemaidgiggleswhenshetriestoexplainthebreakageofapipe。
　　’I’mverysorry，butyourememberIwas——IwasangrywithyoubeforeMr。Torpenhowwentaway？’
　　’Youwereveryangry，child；andonmywordIthinkyouhadsomerighttobe。’
　　’ThenI——butaren’tyousureMr。Torpenhowdidn’ttellyou？’
　　’Tellmewhat？Goodgracious，whatareyoumakingsuchafussaboutwhenyoumightjustaswellbegivingmeanotherkiss？’
　　Hewasbeginningtolearn，notforthefirsttimeinhisexperience，thatkissingisacumulativepoison。Themoreyougetofit，themoreyouwant。
　　Bessiegavethekisspromptly，whispering，asshedidso，’IwassoangryI
　　rubbedoutthatpicturewiththeturpentine。Youaren’tangry，areyou？’
　　’What？Saythatagain。’Theman’shandhadclosedonherwrist。
　　’Irubbeditoutwithturpsandtheknife，’falteredBessie。’Ithoughtyou’donlyhavetodoitoveragain。Youdiddoitoveragain，didn’tyou？
　　Oh，letgoofmywrist；you’rehurtingme。’
　　’Isn’tthereanythingleftofthething？’
　　’N’nothingthatlookslikeanything。I’msorry——Ididn’tknowyou’dtakeonaboutit；Ionlymeanttodoitinfun。Youaren’tgoingtohitme？’
　　’Hityou！No！Let’sthink。’
　　Hedidnotrelaxhisholduponherwristbutstoodstaringatthecarpet。
　　Thenheshookhisheadasayoungsteershakesitwhenthelashofthestock—whipcrosshisnosewarnshimbacktothepathontotheshamblesthathewouldescape。ForweekshehadforcedhimselfnottothinkoftheMelancolia，becauseshewasapartofhisdeadlife。WithBessie’sreturnandcertainnewprospectsthathaddevelopedthemselves，theMelancolia——lovelierinhisimaginationthanshehadeverbeenoncanvas——reappeared。ByheraidhemighthaveprocuredmormoneywherewithtoamuseBessandtoforgetMaisie，aswellasanothertasteofanalmostforgottensuccess。Now，thankstoaviciouslittlehousemaid’sfolly，therewasnothingtolookfor——noteventhehopethathemightsomedaytakeanabidinginterestinthehousemaid。Worstofall，hehadbeenmadetoappearridiculousinMaisie’seyes。Awomanwillforgivethemanwhohasruinedherlife’sworksolongashegivesherlove；amanmayforgivethosewhoruintheloveofhislife，buthewillneverforgivethedestructionofhiswork。
　　’Tck——tck——tck，’saidDickbetweenhisteeth，andthenlaughedsoftly。’It’sanomen，Bessie，and——agoodmanythingsconsidered，itservesmerightfordoingwhatIhavedone。ByJove！thataccountsforMaisie’srunningaway。Shemusthavethoughtmeperfectlymad——smallblametoher！Thewholepictureruined，isn’titso？Whatmadeyoudoit？’
　　’BecauseIwasthatangry。I’mnotangrynow——I’mawfulsorry。’
　　’Iwonder。——Itdoesn’tmatter，anyhow。I’mtoblameformakingthemistake。’
　　’Whatmistake？’
　　’Somethingyouwouldn’tunderstand，dear。Greatheavens！tothinkthatalittlepieceofdirtlikeyoucouldthrowmeoutofstride！’DickwastalkingtohimselfasBessietriedtoshakeoffhisgriponherwrist。
　　’Iain’tapieceofdirt，andyoushouldn’tcallmeso！Ididit’causeIhatedyou，andI’monlysorrynow’causeyou’re——’causeyou’re————’
　　’Exactly——becauseI’mblind。There’snotingliketactinlittlethings。’
　　Bessiebegantosob。Shedidnotlikebeingshackledagainstherwill；shewasafraidoftheblindfaceandthelookuponit，andwassorrytoothathergreatrevengehadonlymadeDicklaugh。
　　’Don’tcry，’hesaid，andtookherintohisarms。’Youonlydidwhatyouthoughtright。’
　　’I——Iain’talittlepieceofdirt，andifyousaythatI’llnevercometoyouagain。’
　　’Youdon’tknowwhatyou’vedonetome。I’mnotangry——indeed，I’mnot。
　　Bequietforaminute。’
　　Bessieremainedinhisarmsshrinking。Dick’sfirstthoughtwasconnectedwithMaisie，andithurthimaswhite—hotironhurtsanopensore。
　　Notfornothingisamanpermittedtoallyhimselftothewrongwoman。
　　Thefirstpang——thefirstsenseofthingslostisbutthepreludetotheplay，fortheveryjustProvidencewhodelightsincausingpainhasdecreedthattheagonyshallreturn，andthatinthemidstofkeenestpleasure。
　　Theyknowthispainequallywhohaveforsakenorbeenforsakenbytheloveoftheirlife，andintheirnewwives’armsarecompelledtorealiseit。
　　Itisbettertoremainaloneandsufferonlythemiseryofbeingalone，solongasitispossibletofinddistractionindailywork。Whenthatresourcegoesthemanistobepitiedandleftalone。
　　ThesethingsandsomeothersDickconsideredwhilehewasholdingBessietohisheart。
　　’Thoughyoumayn’tknowit，’hesaid，raisinghishead，’theLordisajustandaterribleGod，Bess；withaverystrongsenseofhumour。Itservesmeright——howitservesmeright！Torpcouldunderstanditifhewerehere；hemusthavesufferedsomethingatyourhands，child，butonlyforaminuteorso。Isavedhim。Setthattomycredit，someone。’
　　’Letmego，’saidBess，herfacedarkening。’Letmego。’
　　’Allingoodtime。DidyoueverattendSundayschool？’
　　’Never。Letmego，Itellyou；you’remakingfunofme。’
　　’Indeed，I’mnot。I’mmakingfunofmyself……Thus。"Hesavedothers，himselfhecannotsave。"Itisn’texactlyaschool—boardtext。’Hereleasedherwrist，butsincehewasbetweenherandthedoor，shecouldnotescape。’Whatanenormousamountofmischiefonelittlewomancando！’
　　’I’msorry；I’mawfulsorryaboutthepicture。’
　　’I’mnot。I’mgratefultoyouforspoilingit……Whatwerewetalkingaboutbeforeyoumentionedthething？’
　　’Aboutgettingaway——andmoney。Meandyougoingaway。’
　　’Ofcourse。Wewillgetaway——thatistosay，Iwill。’
　　’Andme？’
　　’Youshallhavefiftywholepoundsforspoilingapicture。’
　　’Thenyouwon’t————？’
　　’I’mafraidnot，dear。Thinkoffiftypoundsforprettythingsalltoyourself。’
　　’Yousaidyoucouldn’tdoanythingwithoutme。’
　　’Thatwastruealittlewhileago。I’mbetternow，thankyou。Getmemyhat。’
　　’S’poseIdon’t？’
　　’Beetonwill，andyou’lllosefiftypounds。That’sall。Getit。’
　　Bessiecursedunderherbreath。Shehadpitiedthemansincerely，hadkissedhimwithalmostequalsincerity，forhewasnotunhandsome；itpleasedhertobeinawayandforatimehisprotector，andabovealltherewerefourthousandpoundstobehandledbysomeone。Nowthroughaslipofthetongueandalittlefemininedesiretogivealittle，nottoomuch，painshehadlostthemoney，theblessedidlenessandtheprettythings，thecompanionship，andthechanceoflookingoutwardlyasrespectableasareallady。
　　’Nowfillmeapipe。Tobaccodoesn’ttaste，butitdoesn’tmatter，andI’llthinkthingsout。What’sthedayoftheweek，Bess？’
　　’Tuesday。’
　　’ThenThursday’smail—day。Whatafool——whatablindfoolIhavebeen！？
　　Twenty—twopoundscoversmypassagehomeagain。Allowtenforadditionalexpenses。WemustputupatMadamBinat’sforoldtime’ssake。Thirty—twopoundsaltogether。Addahundredforthecostofthelasttrip——Gad，won’tTorpstaretoseeme！——ahundredandthirty—twoleavesseventy—eightforbaksheesh——Ishallneedit——andtoplaywith。
　　Whatareyoucryingfor，Bess？Itwasn’tyourfault，child；itwasminealtogether。Oh，youfunnylittleopossum，mopyoureyesandtakemeout！？
　　Iwantthepass—bookandthecheck—book。Stopaminute。Fourthousandpoundsatfourpercent——that’ssafeinterest——meansahundredandsixtypoundsayear；onehundredandtwentypoundsahear——alsosafe——istwoeighty，andtwohundredandeightypoundsaddedtothreehundredayearmeansgildedluxuryforasinglewoman。Bess，we’llgotothebank。’
　　Richerbytwohundredandtenpoundsstoredinhismoney—belt，DickcausedBessie，nowthoroughlybewildered，tohurryfromthebanktotheP。andO。offices，whereheexplainedthingstersely。
　　’PortSaid，singlefirst；cabinasclosetothebaggage—hatchaspossible。
　　Whatship’sgoing？’
　　’TheColgong，’saidtheclerk。
　　’She’sawetlittlehooker。IsitTilburyandatender，orGalleonsandthedocks？’
　　’Galleons。Twelve—forty，Thursday。’
　　’Thanks。Change，please。Ican’tseeverywell——willyoucountitintomyhand？’
　　’Iftheyalltooktheirpassageslikethatinsteadoftalkingabouttheirtrunks，lifewouldbeworthsomething，’saidtheclerktohisneighbour，whowastryingtoexplaintoaharassedmotherofmanythatcondensedmilkisjustasgoodforbabesatseaasdailydairy。Beingnineteenandunmarried，hespokewithconviction。
　　’Wearenow，’quothDick，astheyreturnedtothestudio，pattingtheplacewherehismoney—beltcoveredticketandmoney，’beyondthereachofman，ordevil，orwoman——whichismuchmoreimportant。I’vehadthreelittleaffairstocarrythroughbeforeThursday，butIneedn’taskyoutohelp，Bess。ComehereonThursdaymorningatnine。We’llbreakfast，andyoushalltakemedowntoGalleonsStation。’
　　’Whatareyougoingtodo？’
　　’Goingaway，ofcourse。WhatshouldIstayfor？’
　　’Butyoucan’tlookafteryourself？’
　　’Icandoanything。Ididn’trealiseitbefore，butIcan。I’vedoneagreatdealalready。ResolutionshallbetreatedtoonekissifBessiedoesn’tobject。’Strangelyenough，BessieobjectedandDicklaughed。’Isupposeyou’reright。Well，comeatninethedayafterto—morrowandyou’llgetyourmoney。’
　　’ShallIsure？’
　　’Idon’tbilk，andyouwon’tknowwhetherIdoornotunlessyoucome。
　　Oh，butit’slongandlongtowait！Good—bye，Bessie，——sendBeetonhereasyougoout。’
　　Thehousekeepercame。
　　’Whatareallthefittingsofmyroomsworth？’saidDick，imperiously。
　　’’Tisn’tformetosay，sir。Somethingsisveryprettyandsomeisworeoutdreadful。’
　　’I’minsuredfortwohundredandseventy。’
　　’Insurancepoliciesisnocriterion，thoughIdon’tsay————’
　　’Oh，damnyourlongwindedness！You’vemadeyourpickingsoutofmeandtheothertenants。Why，youtalkedofretiringandbuyingapublic—housetheotherday。Giveastraightanswertoastraightquestion。’
　　’Fifty，’saidMr。Beeton，withoutamoment’shesitation。
　　’Doubleit；orI’llbreakuphalfmysticksandburntherest。’
　　Hefelthiswaytoabookstandthatsupportedapileofsketch—books，andwrenchedoutoneofthemahoganypillars。
　　’That’ssinful，sir，’saidthehousekeeper，alarmed。
　　’It’smyown。Onehundredor————’
　　’Onehundreditis。It’llcostmethreeandsixtogetthattherepilastermended。’
　　’Ithoughtso。Whatanoutandoutswindleryoumusthavebeentospringthatpriceatonce！’
　　’IhopeI’vedonenothingtodissatisfyanyofthetenants，leastofallyou，sir。’
　　’Nevermindthat。Getmethemoneyto—morrow，andseethatallmyclothesarepackedinthelittlebrownbullock—trunk。I’mgoing。’
　　’Butthequarter’snotice？’
　　’I’llpayforfeit。Lookafterthepackingandleavemealone。’
　　Mr。Beetondiscussedthisnewdeparturewithhiswife，whodecidedthatBessiewasatthebottomofitall。Herhusbandtookamorecharitableview。
　　’It’sverysudden——butthenhewasalwayssuddeninhisways。Listentohimnow！’
　　TherewasasoundofchantingfromDick’sroom。
　　’We’llnevercomebackanymore，boys，We’llnevercomebacknomore；
　　We’llgotothedeuceonanyexcuse，Andnevercomebacknomore！？
　　Ohsaywe’reafloatorashore，boys，Ohsaywe’reafloatorashore；
　　Butwe’llnevercomebackanymore，boys，We’llnevercomebacknomore！’？
　　’Mr。Beeton！Mr。Beeton！Wherethedeuceismypistol？’
　　’Quick，he’sgoingtoshoothimself——’avin’gonemad！’saidMrs。Beeton。
　　Mr。BeetonaddressedDicksoothingly，butitwassometimebeforethelatter，threshingupanddownhisbedroom，couldrealisetheintentionofthepromisesto’findeverythingto—morrow，sir。’
　　’Oh，youcopper—nosedoldfool——youimpotentAcademician！’heshoutedatlast。’DoyousupposeIwanttoshootmyself？Takethepistolinyoursillyshakinghandthen。Ifyoutouchit，itwillgooff，becauseit’sloaded。
　　It’samongmycampaign—kitsomewhere——intheparcelatthebottomofthetrunk。’
　　LongagoDickhadcarefullypossessedhimselfofaforty—poundweightfield—equipmentconstructedbytheknowledgeofhisownexperience。Itwasthisput—awaytreasurethathewastryingtofindandrehandle。Mr。
　　Beetonwhippedtherevolveroutofitsplaceonthetopofthepackage，andDickdrovehishandamongthekhakicoatandbreeches，theblueclothleg—bands，andtheheavyflannelshirtsdoubledoverapairofswan—neckspurs。Undertheseandthewater—bottlelayasketch—bookandapigskincaseofstationery。
　　’Thesewedon’twant；youcanhavethem，Mr。Beeton。EverythingelseI’llkeep。Pack’emonthetopright—handsideofmytrunk。Whenyou’vedonethatcomeintothestudiowithyourwife。Iwantyouboth。Waitaminute；getmeapenandasheetofnotepaper。’
　　Itisnotaneasythingtowritewhenyoucannotsee，andDickhadparticularreasonsforwishingthathisworkshouldbeclear。Sohebegan，followinghisrighthandwithhisleft：’"ThebadnessofthiswritingisbecauseIamblindandcannotseemypen。"H’mph！——evenalawyercan’tmistakethat。Itmustbesigned，Isuppose，butitneedn’tbewitnessed。Nowaninchlower——whydidIneverlearntouseatype—writer？——"Thisisthelastwillandtestamentofme，RichardHeldar。
　　Iaminsoundbodilyandmentalhealth，andthereisnopreviouswilltorevoke。"——That’sallright。Damnthepen！WhereaboutsonthepaperwasI？——"IleaveeverythingthatIpossessintheworld，includingfourthousandpounds，andtwothousandsevenhundredandtwentyeightpoundsheldforme"——oh，Ican’tgetthisstraight。’Hetoreoffhalfthesheetandbeganagainwiththecautionaboutthehandwriting。Then：’I
　　leaveallthemoneyIpossessintheworldto’——herefollowedMaisie’sname，andthenamesofthetwobanksthatheldthemoney。
　　’Itmayn’tbequiteregular，butnoonehasashadowofarighttodisputeit，andI’vegivenMaisie’saddress。Comein，Mr。Beeton。Thisismysignature；Iwantyouandyourwifetowitnessit。Thanks。To—morrowyoumusttakemetothelandlordandI’llpayforfeitforleavingwithoutnotice，andI’lllodgethispaperwithhimincaseanythinghappenswhileI’maway。Nowwe’regoingtolightupthestudiostove。Staywithme，andgivememypapersasIwant’em。’
　　Nooneknowsuntilhehastriedhowfineablazeayear’saccumulationofbills，letters，anddocketscanmake。Dickstuffedintothestoveeverydocumentinthestudio——savingonlythreeunopenedletters；destroyedsketch—books，roughnote—books，newandhalf—finishedcanvasesalike。
　　’Whatalotofrubbishatenantgetsabouthimifhestayslongenoughinoneplace，tobesure，’saidMr。Beeton，atlast。
　　’Hedoes。Isthereanythingmoreleft？’Dickfeltroundthewalls。
　　’Notathing，andthestove’snighred—hot。’
　　’Excellent，andyou’velostaboutathousandpounds’worthofsketches。
　　Ho！ho！Quiteathousandpounds’worth，ifIcanrememberwhatIusedtobe。’
　　’Yes，sir，’politely。Mr。BeetonwasquitesurethatDickhadgonemad，otherwisehewouldhaveneverpartedwithhisexcellentfurnitureforasong。Thecanvasthingstookupstorageroomandweremuchbetteroutoftheway。
　　Thereremainedonlytoleavethelittlewillinsafehands：thatcouldnotbeaccomplishedtoto—morrow。Dickgropedaboutthefloorpickingupthelastpiecesofpaper，assuredhimselfagainandagainthatthereremainednowrittenwordorsignofhispastlifeindrawerordesk，andsatdownbeforethestovetillthefirediedoutandthecontractingironcrackedinthesilenceofthenight。
　　CHAPTERXV
　　Withaheartoffuriousfancies，WhereofIamcommander；
　　Withaburningspearandahorseofair，TothewildernessIwander。
　　WithaknightofghostsandshadowsIsummonedamtotourney——
　　Tenleaguesbeyondthewideworld’send，Methinksitisnojourney。
　　——Toma’Bedlam’sSong。？
　　’GOOD—BYE，Bess；Ipromisedyoufifty。Here’sahundred——allthatIgotformyfurniturefromBeeton。Thatwillkeepyouinprettyfrocksforsometime。You’vebeenagoodlittlegirl，allthingsconsidered，butyou’vegivenmeandTorpenhowafairamountoftrouble。’
　　’GiveMr。Torpenhowmyloveifyouseehim，won’tyou？’
　　’OfcourseIwill，dear。Nowtakemeupthegang—plankandintothecabin。Onceaboardtheluggerandthemaidis——andIamfree，Imean。’
　　’Who’lllookafteryouonthisship？’
　　’Thehead—steward，ifthere’sanyuseinmoney。ThedoctorwhenwecometoPortSaid，ifIknowanythingofP。andO。doctors。Afterthat，theLordwillprovide，asHeusedtodo。’
　　BessfoundDickhiscabininthewildturmoilofashipfullofleavetakersandweepingrelatives。Thenhekissedher，andlaidhimselfdowninhisbunkuntilthedecksshouldbeclear。Hewhohadtakensolongtomoveabouthisowndarkenedroomswellunderstoodthegeographyofaship，andthenecessityofseeingtohisowncomfortswasaswinetohim。
　　BeforethescrewbegantothrashtheshipalongtheDockshehadbeenintroducedtothehead—steward，hadroyallytippedhim，securedagoodplaceattable，openedouthisbaggage，andsettledhimselfdownwithjoyinthecabin。Itwasscarcelynecessarytofeelhiswayashemovedabout，forhekneweverythingsowell。ThenGodwasverykind：adeepsleepofwearinesscameuponhimjustashewouldhavethoughtofMaisie，andheslepttillthesteamerhadclearedthemouthoftheThamesandwasliftingtothepulseoftheChannel。
　　Therattleoftheengines，thereekofoilandpaint，andaveryfamiliarsoundinthenextcabinrousedhimtohisnewinheritance。
　　’Oh，it’sgoodtobealiveagain！’Heyawned，stretchedhimselfvigorously，andwentondecktobetoldthattheywerealmostabreastofthelightsofBrighton。ThisisnomoreopenwaterthanTrafalgalSquareisacommon；thefreelevelsbeginatUshant；butnonethelessDickcouldfeelthehealingoftheseaatworkuponhimalready。Aboisterouslittlecross—swellswungthesteamerdisrespectfullybythenose；andonewavebreakingfaraftspatteredthequarterdeckandthepileofnewdeck—chairs。Heheardthefoamfallwiththeclashofbrokenglass，wasstunginthefacebyacupful，andsniffingluxuriously，felthiswaytothesmoking—roombythewheel。Thereastrongbreezefoundhim，blewhiscapoffandlefthimbareheadedinthedoorway，andthesmoking—roomsteward，understandingthathewasavoyagerofexperience，saidthattheweatherwouldbestiffinthechopsofftheChannelandmorethanhalfagaleintheBay。Thesethingsfellastheywereforetold，andDickenjoyedhimselftotheutmost。Itisallowableandevennecessaryatseatolayfirmholdupontables，stanchions，andropesinmovingfromplacetoplace。Onlandthemanwhofeelswithhishandsispatentlyblind。Atseaevenablindmanwhoisnotsea—sickcanjestwiththedoctorovertheweaknessofhisfellows。Dicktoldthedoctormanytales——andthesearecoinofmorevaluethansilverifproperlyhandled——smokedwithhimtillunholyhoursofthenight，andsowonhisshort—livedregardthathepromisedDickafewhoursofhistimewhentheycametoPortSaid。
　　Andthesearoaredorwasstillasthewindsblew，andtheenginessangtheirsongdayandnight，andthesungrewstrongerdaybyday，andTomtheLascarbarbershavedDickofamorningundertheopenedhatch—gratingwherethecoolwindsblew，andtheawningswerespreadandthepassengersmademerry，andatlasttheycametoPortSaid。
　　’Takeme，’saidDick，tothedoctor，’toMadameBinat’s——ifyouknowwherethatis。’
　　’Whew！’saidthedoctor，’Ido。There’snotmuchtochoosebetween’em；
　　butIsupposeyou’reawarethatthat’soneoftheworsthousesintheplace。They’llrobyoutobeginwith，andknifeyoulater。’
　　’Notthey。Takemethere，andIcanlookaftermyself。’
　　SohewasbroughttoMadameBinat’sandfilledhisnostrilswiththewell—rememberedsmelloftheEast，thatrunswithoutachangefromtheCanalheadtoHong—Kong，andhismouthwiththevillainousLinguaFrancaoftheLevant。Theheatsmotehimbetweentheshoulder—bladeswiththebuffetofanoldfriend，hisfeetslippedonthesand，andhiscoat—sleevewaswarmasnew—bakedbreadwhenheliftedittohisnose。
　　MadameBinatsmiledwiththesmilethatknowsnoastonishmentwhenDickenteredthedrinking—shopwhichwasonesourceofhergains。Butforalittleaccidentofcompletedarknesshecouldhardlyrealisethathehadeverquittedtheoldlifethathummedinhisears。SomebodyopenedabottleofpeculiarlystrongSchiedam。ThesmellremindedDickofMonsieurBinat，who，bytheway，hadspokenofartanddegradation。
　　Binatwasdead；Madamesaidasmuchwhenthedoctordeparted，scandalised，sofarasaship’sdoctorcanbe，atthewarmthofDick’sreception。Dickwasdelightedatit。’Theyremembermehereafterayear。Theyhaveforgottenmeacrossthewaterbythistime。Madame，I
　　wantalongtalkwithyouwhenyou’reatliberty。Itisgoodtobebackagain。’
　　Intheeveningshesetaniron—toppedcaf？—tableoutonthesands，andDickandshesatbyit，whilethehousebehindthemfilledwithriot，merriment，oaths，andthreats。ThestarscameoutandthelightsoftheshippingintheharbourtwinkledbytheheadoftheCanal。
　　’Yes。Thewarisgoodfortrade，myfriend；butwhatdostthoudohere？
　　Wehavenotforgottenthee。’
　　’IwasoverthereinEnglandandIwentblind。’
　　’Buttherewasthegloryfirst。Weheardofithere，evenhere——IandBinat；andthouhastusedtheheadofYellow’Tina——sheisstillalive——sooftenandsowellthat’Tinalaughedwhenthepapersarrivedbythemail—boats。Itwasalwayssomethingthatweherecouldrecogniseinthepaintings。Andthentherewasalwaysthegloryandthemoneyforthee。’
　　’Iamnotpoor——Ishallpayyouwell。’
　　’Nottome。Thouhastpaidforeverything。’Underherbreath，’MonDieu，tobeblindandsoyoung！Whathorror！’
　　Dickcouldnotseeherfacewiththepityonit，orhisownwiththediscolouredhairatthetemples。Hedidnotfeeltheneedofpity；hewastooanxioustogettothefrontoncemore，andexplainedhisdesire。
　　’Andwhere？TheCanalisfulloftheEnglishships。Sometimestheyfireastheyusedtodowhenthewarwashere——tenyearsago。BeyondCairothereisfighting，buthowcanstthougotherewithoutacorrespondent’spassport？Andinthedesertthereisalwaysfighting，butthatisimpossiblealso，’saidshe。
　　’ImustgotoSuakin。’Heknew，thankstoAlf’sreadings，thatTorpenhowwasatworkwiththecolumnthatwasprotectingtheconstructionoftheSuakin—Berberline。P。andO。steamersdonottouchatthatport，and，besides，MadameBinatkneweverybodywhosehelporadvicewasworthanything。Theywerenotrespectablefolk，buttheycouldcausethingstobeaccomplished，whichismuchmoreimportantwhenthereisworktoward。
　　’ButatSuakintheyarealwaysfighting。Thatdesertbreedsmenalways——andalwaysmoremen。Andtheyaresobold！WhytoSuakin？’
　　’Myfriendisthere。
　　’Thyfriend！Chtt！Thyfriendisdeath，then。’
　　MadameBinatdroppedafatarmonthetable—top，filledDick’sglassanew，andlookedathimcloselyunderthestars。Therewasnoneedthatheshouldbowhisheadinassentandsay——
　　’No。Heisaman，but——ifitshouldarrive……blamestthou？’
　　’Iblame？’shelaughedshrilly。’WhoamIthatIshouldblameanyone——exceptthosewhotrytocheatmeovertheirconsommations。Butitisveryterrible。’
　　’ImustgotoSuakin。Thinkforme。Agreatdealhaschangedwithintheyear，andthemenIknewarenothere。TheEgyptianlighthousesteamergoesdowntheCanaltoSuakin——andthepost—boats——Buteventhen————’
　　’Donotthinkanylonger。Iknow，anditisformetothink。Thoushaltgo——thoushaltgoandseethyfriend。Bewise。Sithereuntilthehouseisalittlequiet——Imustattendtomyguests——andafterwardsgotobed。Thoushaltgo，intruth，thoushaltgo。’
　　’To—morrow？’
　　’Assoonasmaybe。’Shewastalkingasthoughhewereachild。
　　Hesatatthetablelisteningtothevoicesintheharbourandthestreets，andwonderinghowsoontheendwouldcome，tillMadameBinatcarriedhimofftobedandorderedhimtosleep。Thehouseshoutedandsanganddancedandrevelled，MadameBinatmovingthroughitwithoneeyeontheliquorpaymentsandthegirlsandtheotheronDick’sinterests。TothislatterendshesmileduponscowlingandfurtiveTurkishofficersoffellaheenregiments，andmorethankindtocamelagentsofnonationalitywhatever。
　　Intheearlymorning，beingthenappropriatelydressedinaflamingredsilkball—dress，withafrontoftarnishedgoldembroideryandanecklaceofplate—glassdiamonds，shemadechocolateandcarrieditintoDick。
　　’ItisonlyI，andIamofdiscreetage，eh？Drinkandeattherolltoo。ThusinFrancemothersbringtheirsons，whenthosebehavewisely，themorningchocolate。’Shesatdownonthesideofthebedwhispering：——
　　’Itisallarranged。Thouwiltgobythelighthouseboat。ThatisabribeoftenpoundsEnglish。ThecaptainisneverpaidbytheGovernment。TheboatcomestoSuakininfourdays。TherewillgowiththeeGeorge，aGreekmuleteer。Anotherbribeoftenpounds。Iwillpay；theymustnotknowofthymoney。Georgewillgowiththeeasfarashegoeswithhismules。Thenhecomesbacktome，forhiswell—belovedishere，andifIdonotreceiveatelegramfromSuakinsayingthatthouartwell，thegirlanswersforGeorge。’
　　’Thankyou。’Hereachedoutsleepilyforthecup。’Youaremuchtookind，Madame。’
　　’IftherewereanythingthatImightdoIwouldsay，stayhereandbewise；butIdonotthinkthatwouldbebestforthee。’Shelookedatherliquor—staineddresswithasadsmile。’Nay，thoushaltgo，intruth，thoushaltgo。Itisbestso。Myboy，itisbestso。’
　　ShestoopedandkissedDickbetweentheeyes。’Thatisforgood—morning，’shesaid，goingaway。’WhenthouartdressedwewillspeaktoGeorgeandmakeeverythingready。Butfirstwemustopenthelittletrunk。Givemethekeys。’
　　’Theamountofkissinglatelyhasbeensimplyscandalous。IshallexpectTorptokissmenext。Heismorelikelytoswearatmeforgettinginhisway，though。Well，itwon’tlastlong。——Ohe，Madame，helpmetomytoiletteoftheguillotine！Therewillbenochanceofdressingproperlyoutyonder。’
　　Hewasrummagingamonghisnewcampaign—kit，androwellinghishandswiththespurs。Therearetwosaysofwearingwell—oiledankle—jacks，spotlessbluebands，khakicoatandbreeches，andaperfectlypipeclayedhelmet。Therightwayisthewayoftheuntiredman，masterofhimself，settingoutuponanexpedition，wellpleased。
　　’Everythingmustbeverycorrect，’Dickexplained。’Itwillbecomedirtyafterwards，butnowitisgoodtofeelwelldressed。Iseverythingasitshouldbe？’
　　Hepattedtherevolverneatlyhiddenunderthefulnessoftheblouseontherighthipandfingeredhiscollar。
　　’Icandonomore，’Madamesaid，betweenlaughingandcrying。’Lookatthyself——butIforgot。’
　　’Iamverycontent。’Hestrokedthecreaselessspiralsofhisleggings。
　　’NowletusgoandseethecaptainandGeorgeandthelighthouseboat。
　　Bequick，Madame。’
　　’Butthoucanstnotbeseenbytheharbourwalkingwithmeinthedaylight。FiguretoyourselfifsomeEnglishladies————’
　　’TherearenoEnglishladies；andifthereare，Ihaveforgottenthem。
　　Takemethere。’
　　Inspiteofthisburningimpatienceitwasnearlyeveningerethelighthouseboatbegantomove。MadamehadsaidagreatdealbothtoGeorgeandthecaptaintouchingthearrangementsthatweretobemadeforDick’sbenefit。VeryfewmenwhohadthehonourofheracquaintancecaredtodisregardMadame’sadvice。Thatsortofcontemptmightendinbeingknifedbyastrangerinagamblinghelluponsurprisinglyshortprovocation。
　　Forsixdays——twoofthemwerewastedinthecrowdedCanal——thelittlesteamerworkedherwaytoSuakin，whereshewastopickupthesuperintendentofthelighthouse；andDickmadeithisbusinesstopropitiateGeorge，whowasdistractedwithfearsforthesafetyofhislight—of—loveandhalfinclinedtomakeDickresponsibleforhisowndiscomfort。WhentheyarrivedGeorgetookhimunderhiswing，andtogethertheyenteredthered—hotseaport，encumberedwiththematerialandwastageoftheSuakin—Bergerline，fromlocomotivesindisconsolatefragmentstomoundsofchairsandpot—sleepers。
　　’Ifyoukeepwithme，’saidGeorge，’nobodywillaskforpassportsorwhatyoudo。Theyareallverybusy。’
　　’Yes；butIshouldliketohearsomeoftheEnglishmentalk。Theymightrememberme。Iwasknownherealongtimeago——whenIwassomeoneindeed。’
　　’Alongtimeagoisaverylongtimeagohere。Thegraveyardsarefull。
　　Nowlisten。ThisnewrailwayrunsoutsofarasTanai—el—Hassan——thatissevenmiles。Thenthereisacamp。TheysaythatbeyondTanai—el—HassantheEnglishtroopsgoforward，andeverythingthattheyrequirewillbebroughttothembythisline。’
　　’Ah！Basecamp。Isee。That’sabetterbusinessthanfightingFuzziesintheopen。’
　　’Forthisreasoneventhemulestoupintheiron—train。’
　　’Ironwhat？’
　　’Itisallcoveredwithiron，becauseitisstillbeingshotat。’
　　’Anarmouredtrain。Betterandbetter！Goon，faithfulGeorge。’
　　’AndIgoupwithmymulesto—night。Onlythosewhoparticularlyrequiretogotothecampgooutwiththetrain。Theybegintoshootnotfarfromthecity。’
　　’Thedears——theyalwaysusedto！’Dicksnuffedthesmellofparcheddust，heatediron，andflakingpaintwithdelight。Certainlytheoldlifewaswelcominghimbackmostgenerously。
　　’WhenIhavegotmymulestogetherIgoupto—night，butyoumustfirstsendatelegramofPortSaid，declaringthatIhavedoneyounoharm。’
　　’Madamehasyouwellinhand。Wouldyoustickaknifeintomeifyouhadthechance？’
　　’Ihavenochance，’saidtheGreek。’Sheistherewiththatwoman。’
　　’Isee。It’sabadthingtobedividedbetweenloveofwomanandthechanceofloot。Isympathisewithyou，George。’
　　Theywenttothetelegraph—officeunquestioned，foralltheworldwasdesperatelybusyandhadscarcelytimetoturnitshead，andSuakinwasthelastplaceunderskythatwouldbechosenforholiday—ground。OntheirreturnthevoiceofanEnglishsubalternaskedDickwhathewasdoing。ThebluegoggleswereoverhiseyesandhewalkedwithhishandonGeorge’selbowashereplied——
　　’EgyptianGovernment——mules。MyordersaretogivethemovertotheA。
　　C。G。atTanai—el—Hassan。Anyoccasiontoshowmypapers？’
　　’Oh，certainlynot。Ibegyourpardon。I’dnorighttoask，butnotseeingyourfacebeforeI————’
　　’Igooutinthetrainto—night，Isuppose，’saidDick，boldly。’Therewillbenodifficultyinloadingupthemules，willthere？’
　　’Youcanseethehorse—platformsfromhere。Youmusthavethemloadedupearly。’Theyoungmanwentawaywonderingwhatsortofbroken—downwaifthismightbewhotalkedlikeagentlemanandconsortedwithGreekmuleteers。Dickfeltunhappy。TooutfaceanEnglishofficerisnosmallthing，buttheblufflosesrelishwhenoneplaysitfromtheutterdark，andstumblesupanddownroughways，thinkingandeternallythinkingofwhatmighthavebeenifthingshadfallenoutotherwise，andallhadbeenasitwasnot。
　　GeorgesharedhismealwithDickandwentofftothemule—lines。Hischargesataloneinashedwithhisfaceinhishands。Beforehistight—shuteyesdancedthefaceofMaisie，laughing，withpartedlips。Therewasagreatbustleandclamourabouthim。HegrewafraidandalmostcalledforGeorge。
　　’Isay，haveyougotyourmulesready？’Itwasthevoiceofthesubalternoverhisshoulder。
　　’Myman’slookingafterthem。The——thefactisI’veatouchofophthalmiaandcan’tseeverywell。
　　’ByJove！that’sbad。Yououghttolieupinhospitalforawhile。I’vehadaturnofitmyself。It’sasbadasbeingblind。’
　　’SoIfindit。Whendoesthisarmouredtraingo？’
　　’Atsixo’clock。Ittakesanhourtocoverthesevenmiles。’
　　’AretheFuzziesontherampage——eh？’
　　’Aboutthreenightsaweek。FactisI’minactingcommandofthenight—train。ItgenerallyrunsbackemptytoTanaiforthenight。’
　　’BigcampatTanai，Isuppose？’
　　’Prettybig。Ithastofeedourdesert—columnsomehow。’
　　’Isthatfaroff？’
　　’Betweenthirtyandfortymiles——inaninfernalthirstycountry。’
　　’IsthecountryquietbetweenTanaiandourmen？’
　　’Moreorless。Ishouldn’tcaretocrossitalone，orwithasubaltern’scommandforthematterofthat，butthescoutsgetthroughitinsomeextraordinaryfashion。’
　　’Theyalwaysdid。’
　　’Haveyoubeenherebefore，then？’
　　’Iwasthroughmostofthetroublewhenitfirstbrokeout。’
　　’Intheserviceandcashiered，’wasthesubaltern’sfirstthought，soherefrainedfromputtinganyquestions。
　　’There’syoumancomingupwiththemules。Itseemsratherqueer————’
　　’ThatIshouldbemule—leading？’saidDick。
　　’Ididn’tmeantosayso，butitis。Forgiveme——it’sbeastlyimpertinenceI
　　know，butyouspeaklikeamanwhohasbeenatapublicschool。There’snomistakingthetone。’
　　’Iamapublicschoolman。’
　　’Ithoughtso。Isay，Idon’twanttohurtyourfeelings，butyou’realittledownonyourluck，aren’tyou？Isawyousittingwithyourheadinyourhands，andthat’swhyIspoke。’
　　’Thanks。Iamaboutasthoroughlyandcompletelybrokeasamanneedbe。’
　　’Suppose——ImeanI’mapublicschoolmanmyself。Couldn’tI
　　perhaps——takeitasaloany’knowand————’
　　’You’remuchtoogood，butonmyhonourI’veasmuchmoneyasIwant……Itellyouwhatyoucoulddoforme，though，andputmeunderaneverlastingobligation。Letmecomeintothebogietruckofthetrain。
　　Thereisafore—truck，isn’tthere？’
　　’Yes。Howd’youknow？’
　　’I’vebeeninanarmouredtrainbefore。Onlyletmesee——hearsomeofthefunImean，andI’llbegrateful。Igoatmyownriskasanon—combatant。’
　　Theyoungmanthoughtforaminute。’Allright，’hesaid。’We’resupposedtobeanemptytrain，andthere’snoonetoblowmeupattheotherend。’
　　Georgeandahordeofyellingamateurassistantshadloadedupthemules，andthenarrow—gaugearmouredtrain，platedwiththree—eighthsinchboiler—platetillitlookedlikeonelongcoffin，stoodreadytostart。
　　Twobogietrucksrunningbeforethelocomotivewerecompletelycoveredinwithplating，exceptthattheleadingonewaspiercedinfrontforthemuzzleofamachine—gun，andthesecondateithersideforlateralfire。
　　Thetruckstogethermadeonelongiron—vaultedchamberinwhichascoreofartillerymenwererioting。
　　’Whitechapel——lasttrain！Ah，Iseeyerkissin’inthefirstclassthere！’
　　somebodyshouted，justasDickwasclamouringintotheforwardtruck。
　　’Lordy！’Ere’sareallivepassengerfortheKew，Tanai，Acton，andEalin’train。Echo，sir。Speshuledition！Star，sir。’——’ShallIgetyouafoot—warmer？’saidanother。
　　’Thanks。I’llpaymyfooting，’saidDick，andrelationsofthemostamiablewereestablishederesilencecamewiththearrivalofthesubaltern，andthetrainjoltedoutovertheroughtrack。
　　’ThisisanimmenseimprovementonshootingtheunimpressionableFuzzyintheopen，’saidDick，fromhisplaceinthecorner。
　　’Oh，buthe’sstillunimpressed。Therehegoes！’saidthesubaltern，asabulletstrucktheoutsideofthetruck。’Wealwayshaveatleastonedemonstrationagainstthenight—train。Generallytheyattacktherear—truck，wheremyjuniorcommands。Hegetsallthefunofthefair。’
　　’Notto—nightthough！Listen！’saidDick。Aflightofheavy—handedbulletswassucceededbyyellingandshouts。Thechildrenofthedesertvaluedtheirnightlyamusement，andthetrainwasanexcellentmark。
　　’Isitworthgivingthemhalfahopperfull？’thesubalternaskedoftheengine，whichwasdrivenbyaLieutenantofSappers。
　　’Ishouldthinkso！Thisismysectionoftheline。They’llbeplayingoldHarrywithmypermanentwayifwedon’tstop’em。’
　　’RightO！’
　　’Hrrmph！’saidthemachinegunthroughallitsfivenosesasthesubalterndrewtheleverhome。Theemptycartridgesclashedonthefloorandthesmokeblewbackthroughthetruck。Therewasindiscriminatefiringattherearofthetrain，andreturnfirefromthedarknesswithoutandunlimitedhowling。Dickstretchedhimselfonthefloor，wildwithdelightatthesoundsandthesmells。
　　’Godisverygood——IneverthoughtI’dhearthisagain。Give’emhell，men。Oh，give’emhell！’hecried。
　　Thetrainstoppedforsomeobstructiononthelineaheadandapartywentouttoreconnoitre，butcameback，cursing，forspades。Thechildrenofthedeserthadpiledsandandgravelontherails，andtwentyminuteswerelostinclearingitaway。Thentheslowprogressrecommenced，tobevariedwithmoreshots，moreshoutings，thesteadyclackandkickofthemachineguns，andafinaldifficultywithahalf—liftedrailerethetraincameundertheprotectionoftheroaringcampatTanai—el—Hassan。
　　’Now，youseewhyittakesanhourandahalftofetchherthrough，’saidthesubaltern，unshippingthecartridge—hopperabovehispetgun。
　　’Itwasalark，though。Ionlywishithadlastedtwiceaslong。Howsuperbitmusthavelookedfromoutside！’saidDick，sighingregretfully。
　　’Itpallsafterthefirstfewnights。Bytheway，whenyou’vesettledaboutyourmules，comeandseewhatwecanfindtoeatinmytent。I’mBenniloftheGunners——intheartillerylines——andmindyoudon’tfallovermytent—ropesinthedark。’
　　ButitwasalldarktoDick。Hecouldonlysmellthecamels，thehay—bales，thecooking，thesmokyfires，andthetannedcanvasofthetentsashestood，wherehehaddroppedfromthetrain，shoutingforGeorge。Therewasasoundoflight—heartedkickingontheironskinofthereartrucks，withsquealingandgrunting。Georgewasunloadingthemules。
　　TheenginewasblowingoffsteamnearlyinDick’sear；acoldwindofthedesertdancedbetweenhislegs；hewashungry，andfelttiredanddirty——sodirtythathetriedtobrushhiscoatwithhishands。Thatwasahopelessjob；hethrusthishandsintohispocketsandbegantocountoverthemanytimesthathehadwaitedinstrangeorremoteplacesfortrainsorcamels，mulesorhorses，tocarryhimtohisbusiness。Inthosedayshecouldsee——fewmenmoreclearly——andthespectacleofanarmedcampatdinnerunderthestarewasaneverfreshpleasuretotheeye。Therewascolour，light，andmotion，withoutwhichnomanhasmuchpleasureinliving。Thisnightthereremainedforhimonlyonemorejourneythroughthedarknessthatneverliftstotellamanhowfarhehastravelled。ThenhewouldgripTorpenhow’shandagain——Torpenhow，whowasaliveandstrong，andlivedinthemidstoftheactionthathadoncemadethereputationofamancalledDickHeldar：notintheleasttobeconfusedwiththeblind，bewilderedvagabondwhoseemedtoanswertothesamename。Yes，hewouldfindTorpenhow，andcomeasneartotheoldlifeasmightbe。Afterwardshewouldforgeteverything：Bessie，whohadwreckedtheMelancoliaandsonearlywreckedhislife；Beeton，wholivedinastrangeunrealcityfulloftin—tacksandgas—plugsandmattersthatnomenneeded；thatirrationalbeingwhohadofferedhimloveandloyaltyfornothing，buthadnotsignedhername；andmostofallMaisie，who，fromherownpointofview，wasundeniablyrightinallshedid，butoh，atthisdistance，sotantalisinglyfair。
　　George’shandonhisarmpulledhimbacktothesituation。
　　’Andwhatnow？’saidGeorge。
　　’Ohyesofcourse。Whatnow？Takemetothecamel—men。Takemetowherethescoutssitwhentheycomeinfromthedesert。Theysitbytheircamels，andthecamelseatgrainoutofablackblanketheldupatthecorners，andthemeneatbytheirsidejustlikecamels。Takemethere！’
　　Thecampwasroughandrutty，andDickstumbledmanytimesoverthestumpsofscrub。Thescoutsweresittingbytheirbeasts，asDickknewtheywould。Thelightofthedung—firesflickeredontheirbeardedfaces，andthecamelsbubbledandmumbledbesidethematrest。ItwasnopartofDick’spolicytogointothedesertwithaconvoyofsupplies。Thatwouldleadtoimpertinentquestions，andsinceablindnon—combatantisnotneededatthefront，hewouldprobablybeforcedtoreturntoSuakin。
　　Hemustgoupalone，andgoimmediately。
　　’Nowforonelastbluff——thebiggestofall，’hesaid。’Peacebewithyou，brethren！’ThewatchfulGeorgesteeredhimtothecircleofthenearestfire。Theheadsofthecamel—sheiksbowedgravely，andthecamels，scentingaEuropean，lookedsidewayscuriouslylikebroodinghens，halfreadytogettotheirfeet。
　　’Abeastandadrivertogotothefightinglineto—night，’saidDick。
　　’AMulaid？’saidavoice，scornfullynamingthebestbaggage—breedthatheknew。
　　’ABisharin，’returnedDick，withperfectgravity。’ABisharinwithoutsaddle—galls。Thereforenochargeofthine，shock—head。’
　　Twoorthreeminutespassed。Then——
　　’Webeknee—halteredforthenight。Thereisnogoingoutfromthecamp。’
　　’Notformoney？’
　　’H’m！Ah！Englishmoney？’
　　Anotherdepressingintervalofsilence。
　　’Howmuch？’
　　’Twenty—fivepoundsEnglishpaidintothehandofthedriveratmyjourney’send，andasmuchmoreintothehandofthecamel—sheikhere，tobepaidwhenthedriverreturns。’
　　Thiswasroyalpayment，andthesheik，whoknewthathewouldgethiscommissiononthisdeposit，stirredinDick’sbehalf。
　　’Forscarcelyonenight’sjourney——fiftypounds。Landandwellsandgoodtreesandwivestomakeamancontentfortherestofhisdays。Whospeaks？’saidDick。
　　’I，’saidavoice。’Iwillgo——butthereisnogoingfromthecamp。’
　　’Fool！Iknowthatacamelcanbreakhisknee—halter，andthesentriesdonotfireifonegoesinchase。Twenty—fivepoundsandanothertwenty—fivepounds。ButthebeastmustbeagoodBisharin；Iwilltakenobaggage—camel。’
　　Thenthebargainingbegan，andattheendofhalfanhourthefirstdepositwaspaidovertothesheik，whotalkedinlowtonestothedriver。
　　Dickheardthelattersay：’Alittlewayoutonly。Anybaggage—beastwillserve。AmIafooltowastemycattleforablindman？’
　　’AndthoughIcannotsee’——Dickliftedhisvoicealittle——’yetIcarrythatwhichhassixeyes，andthedriverwillsitbeforeme。IfwedonotreachtheEnglishtroopsinthedawnhewillbedead。’
　　’Butwhere，inGod’sname，arethetroops？’
　　’Unlessthouknowestletanothermanride。Dostthouknow？Rememberitwillbelifeordeathtothee。’
　　’Iknow，’saidthedriver，sullenly。’Standbackfrommybeast。Iamgoingtosliphim。’
　　’Notsoswiftly。George，holdthecamel’sheadamoment。Iwanttofeelhischeek。’Thehandswanderedoverthehidetilltheyfoundthebrandedhalf—circlethatisthemarkoftheBiharin，thelight—builtriding—camel。
　　’Thatiswell。Cutthisoneloose。RemembernoblessingofGodcomesonthosewhotrytocheattheblind。’
　　Themenchuckledbythefiresatthecamel—driver’sdiscomfiture。Hehadintendedtosubstituteaslow，saddle—galledbaggage—colt。
　　’Standback！’oneshouted，lashingtheBiharinunderthebellywithaquirt。Dickobeyedassoonashefeltthenose—stringtighteninhishand，——andacrywentup，’Illaha！Aho！Heisloose。’
　　WitharoarandagrunttheBiharinrosetohisfeetandplungedforwardtowardthedesert，hisdriverfollowingwithshoutsandlamentation。
　　GeorgecaughtDick’sarmandhurriedhimstumblingandtrippingpastadisgustedsentrywhowasusedtostampedingcamels。
　　’What’stherownow？’hecried。
　　’Everystitchofmykitonthatblasteddromedary，’Dickanswered，afterthemannerofacommonsoldier。
　　’Goon，andtakecareyourthroat’snotcutoutside——youandyourdromedary’s。’
　　Theoutcriesceasedwhenthecamelhaddisappearedbehindahillock，andhisdriverhadcalledhimbackandmadehimkneeldown。
　　’Mountfirst，’saidDick。Thenclimbingintothesecondseatandgentlyscrewingthepistolmuzzleintothesmallofhiscompanion’sback，’GooninGod’sname，andswiftly。Good—bye，George。RemembermetoMadame，andhaveagoodtimewithyourgirl。Getforward，childofthePit！’
　　Afewminuteslaterhewasshutupinagreatsilence，hardlybrokenbythecreakingofthesaddleandthesoftpadofthetirelessfeet。Dickadjustedhimselfcomfortablytotherockandpitchofthepace，girthedhisbelttighter，andfeltthedarknessslidepast。Foranhourhewasconsciousonlyofthesenseofrapidprogress。
　　’Agoodcamel，’hesaidatlast。
　　’Hewasneverunderfed。Heismyownandcleanbred，’thedriverreplied。
　　’Goon。’
　　Hisheaddroppedonhischestandhetriedtothink，butthetenorofhisthoughtswasbrokenbecausehewasverysleepy。InthehalfdozeinseemedthathewaslearningapunishmenthymnatMrs。Jennett’s。HehadcommittedsomecrimeasbadasSabbath—breaking，andshehadlockedhimupinhisbedroom。Buthecouldneverrepeatmorethanthefirsttwolinesofthehymn——
　　WhenIsraeloftheLordbelievedOutofthelandofbondagecame。
　　Hesaidthemoverandoverthousandsoftimes。Thedriverturnedinthesaddletoseeiftherewereanychanceofcapturingtherevolverandendingtheride。Dickroused，struckhimovertheheadwiththebutt，andstormedhimselfwideawake。Somebodyhiddeninaclumpofcamel—thornshoutedasthecameltoileduprisingground。Ashotwasfired，andthesilenceshutdownagain，bringingthedesiretosleep。Dickcouldthinknolonger。Hewastootiredandstiffandcrampedtodomorethannoduneasilyfromtimetotime，wakingwithastartandpunchingthedriverwiththepistol。
　　’Isthereamoon？’heaskeddrowsily。
　　’Sheisnearhersetting。’
　　’IwishthatIcouldseeher。Haltthecamel。Atleastletmehearthedeserttalk。’
　　Themanobeyed。Outoftheutterstillnesscameonebreathofwind。Itrattledthedeadleavesofashrubsomedistanceawayandceased。A
　　handfulofdryearthdetacheditselffromtheedgeofarailtrenchandcrumbledsoftlytothebottom。
　　’Goon。Thenightisverycold。’
　　Thosewhohavewatchedtillthemorningknowhowthelasthourbeforethelightlengthensitselfintomanyeternities。ItseemedtoDickthathehadneversincethebeginningoforiginaldarknessdoneanythingatallsavejoltthroughtheair。Onceinathousandyearshewouldfingerthenailheadsonthesaddle—frontandcountthemallcarefully。Centurieslaterhewouldshifthisrevolverfromhisrighthandtohisleftandallowtheeasedarmtodropdownathisside。FromthesafedistanceofLondonhewaswatchinghimselfthusemployed，——watchingcritically。Yetwheneverheputouthishandtothecanvasthathemightpaintthetawnyyellowdesertundertheglareofthesinkingmoon，theblackshadowofacamelandthetwobowedfiguresatop，thathandheldarevolverandthearmwasnumbedfromwristtocollar—bone。Moreover，hewasinthedark，andcouldseenocanvasofanykindwhatever。
　　Thedrivergrunted，andDickwasconsciousofachangeintheair。
　　’Ismellthedawn，’hewhispered。
　　’Itishere，andyonderarethetroops。HaveIdonewell？’
　　Thecamelstretchedoutitsneckandroaredastherecamedownwindthepungentreekofcamelsinthesquare。
　　’Goon。Wemustgetthereswiftly。Goon。’
　　’Theyaremovingintheircamp。ThereissomuchdustthatIcannotseewhattheydo。’
　　’AmIinbettercase？Goforward。’
　　Theycouldhearthehumofvoicesahead，thehowlingandthebubblingofthebeastsandthehoarsecriesofthesoldiersgirthingupfortheday。
　　Twoorthreeshotswerefired。
　　’Isthatatus？SurelytheycanseethatIamEnglish，’Dickspokeangrily。
　　’Nay，itisfromthedesert，’thedriveranswered，coweringinhissaddle。
　　’Goforward，mychild！Wellitisthatthedawndidnotuncoverusanhourago。’
　　Thecamelheadedstraightforthecolumnandtheshotsbehindmultiplied。Thechildrenofthedeserthadarrangedthatmostuncomfortableofsurprises，adawnattackfortheEnglishtroops，andweregettingtheirdistancebysnap—shotsattheonlymovingobjectwithoutthesquare。
　　’Whatluck！Whatstupendousandimperialluck！’saidDick。’It’s"justbeforethebattle，mother。"Oh，Godhasbeenmostgoodtome！？
　　Only’——theagonyofthethoughtmadehimscrewuphiseyesforaninstant——’Maisie……’
　　’Allahu！Wearein，’saidtheman，ashedroveintotherearguardandthecamelknelt。
　　’Whothedeuceareyou？Despatchesorwhat？What’sthestrengthoftheenemybehindthatridge？Howdidyougetthrough？’askedadozenvoices。ForallanswerDicktookalongbreath，unbuckledhisbelt，andshoutedfromthesaddleatthetopofaweariedanddustyvoice，’Torpenhow！Ohe，Torp！Coo—ee，Tor—pen—how。’
　　Abeardedmanrakingintheashesofafireforalighttohispipemovedveryswiftlytowardsthatcry，astherearguard，facingabout，begantofireatthepuffsofsmokefromthehillocksaround。Graduallythescatteredwhitecloudletsdrewoutintothelonglinesofbankedwhitethathungheavilyinthestillnessofthedawnbeforetheyturnedoverwave—likeandglidedintothevalleys。Thesoldiersinthesquarewerecoughingandswearingastheirownsmokeobstructedtheirview，andtheyedgedforwardtogetbeyondit。Awoundedcamelleapedtoitsfeetandroaredaloud，thecryendinginabubblinggrunt。Someonehadcutitsthroattopreventconfusion。Thencamethethicksobofamanreceivinghisdeath—woundfromabullet；thenayellofagonyandredoubledfiring。
　　Therewasnotimetoaskanyquestions。
　　’Getdown，man！Getdownbehindthecamel！’
　　’No。Putme，Ipray，intheforefrontofthebattle。’DickturnedhisfacetoTorpenhowandraisedhishandtosethishelmetstraight，but，miscalculatingthedistance，knockeditoff。Torpenhowsawthathishairwasgrayonthetemples，andthathisfacewasthefaceofanoldman。
　　’Comedown，youdamnedfool！Dickie，comeoff！’
　　AndDickcameobediently，butasatreefalls，pitchingsidewaysfromtheBisharin’ssaddleatTorpenhow’sfeet。Hisluckhadheldtothelast，eventothecrowningmercyofakindlybulletthroughhishead。
　　Torpenhowkneltundertheleeofthecamel，withDick’sbodyinhisarms。