Cumner & South Sea Folk, Complete

ment of chance, and he had been taking chances all his life. With the chances of fortune he had won; with the chances of love and happiness he had lost. He knew that the horseman o

despair. He regarded his wife, himself, and Cayley, as an impartial judge would view the extraordinary claims of three desperate litigants. He thought it all over as he sat there smoking. When the servants came to him to ask him questions or his men ventured upon matters of business, he answered them directly, decisively, and went on thinking. His wife had come to take coffee with him at the usual hou

on," the horseman said;

s

not ove

hy I should be glad.

ful thing, Houghton, when everything is right and square, and there's love both sides. Well, everything

on far into the shade of the palms. He now wheeled upon Cayley, and said st

wisely nor well, a beggar-maid without those virtues usually credited to beggar-maidens who marry gentlemen. Well, Houghton, the beggar-maid was supposed to have died. She hadn't died; she had shammed. Meanwhile, betwe

without tell

things must end,

ned Houghton. "You sho

has it made?" ask

of mystery. Mystery is dear to a woman's heart. She was not different

the ground debatingly; then he lifted them suddenly, and said: "H

l answer me this question

solute determination. Cayley answered doggedly: "I came to see your wife, because I'm not likely ev

trees, where the mountain and the White Bluff road could be seen, and pointed. "That would

teeplechase,"

ce. "Two people have agr

ned. "What

ife a

hy

been a mistake, and

en resolve. "Houghton," he said, "you are a man-I have become a villain. A woman sent me once on the high road to the devil; then an angel came in and made a man of me again; but I lost

e-?" interpo

will give you yo

ded. Cayley drew Houghton back from wh

," he said. "Did yo

hton, running him over

and the star on the forehead.

, turning upon him with

ected Cayley. Firefoot laid h

rse of Hyland the bushranger," he said. "All Queensland

ead," the bushranger an

breathing hard. Then he rejoined:

answered the other. "After what I have told you," he add

out to answer angrily, but Cayley said: "On

ch other; then, with a gesture for Cayley

ton said to his wife: "Al

reathlessly, for she rea

lside." His eyes passed over her face

. "Who is it? Is i

. Bewildered, anticipating, yet dreading to recognise her

entered. She started to her feet wit

swayed; but she straightway recovered herself, a

e whispered. "To say good-by

ys?" She was very

not likely eve

ng?" she anxiously

knowing all, had permitted this man to come to her alone. She had loved him for year

own?" she said with

ey both sat, he playing with the leaves of an orchid, she opening and shutting her fan

ou since we met last?" sh

an I have used it,"

he world?" There was faint irony in her voic

on we ill-use society-the

ll-used?" She di

you ch

you-most-i

well of me-you have

ightly. There was a silence. Then she said: "There was no reason

sband kn

firmly. "Though he may be willing you

good fellow," he re

t?" she ask

t, years ago, I said we could never be ma

not tell, even to our nearest and dearest... but I said we should not speak of these things, and we must not." She rose to her f

ut to ring, stayed it. "No, never mind your husband ju

must not-must

ut I must," w

w. Well, I am not; not at all. I will tell

relieved fact face

-you loved me," she said, her

w the effect of his words, but said cl

imply: "Your face was not the face of a

nod

king him straight in the eyes. "But you-you loved me?" she said with inj

hen you know all,"

" she asked heavily, an

he open window of the room, and she followed. He

cked up its ears and trotted over to the window. "The name of my

y, "that is the name of Hyland'

he patted the animal's neck gently as

" she rejoined slowly, as though

gh failed him. Villain as he was, he loved her, and he saw the foundations of her love for h

ng cry, as though her heart-strings were being dragged ou

eaching out his arms.

r!" she cried

all her strength gone, turning a face of horror upon Cayley. She stretched out

r gently i

n," he said in a low voice, "I have been telling your wife

band's shoulder. Houghton waited to see

d on his horse's back. "I'm going to see if the devil's as black as he's painted.

.......

was shot in a struggle with the m

of it in England, whithe

d to herself, calmly. "And

truth, and she did not love

RA GO

and dressmaker, encouraged thereto by the family for her unerring taste and skill. Her salary, however, had been proportionately increased, and it did not decline when her office as governess became practically a sinecure as her pupils passed beyond the sphere of the schoolroom. Perhaps George Osgood, father of John Osgood, and owner of Wandenong, did not make an allowance to Barbara Golding for her services as counsellor and confidant of his family; but neither did he subtract anything from her earnings in those infrequent years when she journeyed alone to S

ut the fulfilment of those predictions. At length a yearly honorarium was sent to him, and then again, after a dignified delay, there was forwarded to him a suggestion from the Cabinet that he should come to Brisbane and take a more important position. It was when this patronage was declined that the Premier (dropping for a moment into that bushman's jargon which came naturally to him) said, irritably, that Louis Bachelor was a "old fo

ecially pregnant force one evening after Janet had been consulting Barbara on the mysteries of the garment in which she was to be married to Druce Stephens, part owner of Booldal Station. "Aggie," remarked the coming bride, "Ba

vious. He merely asked that he should be permitted to keep the ring, as it had many associations, remarking at the same time that he would be pleased to give an equivalent for it if the bushranger would come to Wandenong. At the mention of Wandenong the highwayman asked his name. On being told, he handed back the money, the watch, and the ring, and politely requested a cigar, saying that the Osgoods merited consideration at his hands, and that their friends were safe from molestation. Then he added, with some grim humour, that if Druce had no objection to spending an hour with Roadmaster over a fire and a billy of tea, he would be glad of his company; for bushranging, according to his system, was but dull work. The young squatter consented, and together they sat for two hours, the highwayman, however, never removing his mask.

er of inquisition into his affairs was his faithful aboriginal servant, Gongi. But records and history were only understood by Gongi when they were restricted to the number of heads taken in tribal battle. At the same time he was a devoted slave to the man who, at the risk of his own life, had rescued him from the murderous spears of his aboriginal foes. That was a kind of record wit

ng squatter introduced himself to Rahway, where he had come on a mission to its one official. The young man's father had a taste for many things; astronomy was his latest, and he had bought from the Government a telescope which, excellent in its day, had been superseded by others of later official purchase. He had brought it to Wandenong, had built a home for it, and had got it into trouble. He had then sent to Brisbane for assistance, and the astronomer of the Government had referred him to the postmaster at Rahway, "Prognosticator" of the meteorological column in The Courier, who would be instructed to give Mr. Osgood every help, especially as the occultation of Venus was near. Men do not send letters by post in a new country when personal communication is possible, and John Osgo

hiest moat, and tenanted by reptiles; feeble palms, and a sickly breath creeping from the jungle to mingle with the heavy scent of the last consignment of augar from the Popri valley. It brought him to a melancholy standstill, disturbed at last by Gongi touching him on the arm and pointing towards the post-office. His language to Gongi was strong; he called the place by names that were not polite; and even on the threshold of the o

go to Wandenong with pleasure; the Government had communicated with him about it; a substitute had been offered; he was quite willing to take his first leave in four years; astronomy was a great subject, he had a very good and obedient telescope of his own, though not nearly so large as that at Wandenong; he would telegraph at once to Brisbane for the substitute to be sent on the following day, and would be ready to start in twenty-four hours. After visiting Wandenong he would go to Brisbane f

st, he began to reproduce the head on paper. He put it in different poses; he added to it; he took away from it; he gave it a child's face, preserving the one striking expression; he made it that of a woman-of an elderly, grave woman. Why,

n birds beneath

entered. Then, in that auspicious moment when his own pipe and his companion's cigarette were being lighted, he s

once had-ah!" He sharply paused as he saw the pencilled head, and stood looking fixedly at it. Presently he turned slowly, came to the portrait on the wall,

and sorrow, Mr. Bachelor. Would n

ked sadly at the sketch again, "it is too old fo

row now, sir?" the o

t-why should I not speak to you? I have been silent about it so long. You have brought the past back, I know not how, so vividly! I dream here, I work here; men come with merchandise and go again; they only bind my tongue; I am not of them: but you are different, as it seems to me, and young. God gave me a happy youth. My eyes were br

as going away from England; that those lines were her farewell; and that she commended me to the love of Heaven. Such a letter it was-so saintly, so unhappy, so mysterious! When I could get leave I went to England. She-they-had gone, and none knew whither; or, if any of her friends kn

ed: "Sir, I respect, and I hope I understand, your confi

to the portrait: "Bar

he hoped? With an amiability that was almost malicious in its adroit suggestiveness, though, to be sure, it was honest, he had induced the soldier to talk of his past. His words naturally, and always, radiated to the sun, whose image was now hidden, but for whose memory no superscription on monum

avour him that he could arrange for the meeting of the two alone, or, at least, in his presence only. He had so far fostered this possibility by arriving at the station at nightfall. What next? He turned and looked at the so

to Janet's trousseau. He went across the square to the schoolroom, and, looking through the window, saw that she was quite alone. A few moments later he stood at the schoolroom door with Louis Bachelor. With his hand on the latch he hesitated. Was it not fairer to give some warning to eit

urprise half joyful, half pathetic, took a step forward, and then became motionless also. Their eyes met and stayed intent. This was not quite what t

y said, "I received-" and then paused. She raised her eyes to

and-twenty

not guess what

y, "I can conceive it, fro

r fingers courteously, and she blushed. "I have waited," he added, "for God to bring this to pass." She shook her

at obstacle then; h

between us,"

ely ever t

o not

t tell me w

not ask me,"

Might I dare to hope, Barbara, that y

ced out his sentence: "With all my life's esteem." But she was a

I am old; but you, you have not changed

ould speak, but she only smiled sadly. He waited, but, in the waiting, hope faded, and he only

hat painfully replied.

stepped nearer, and made as if he would speak; but the words halted on his lips, and he turned aw

w, woman-like, denying, she pitied, too. "If I ever can,

had but one place for me, and that was b

terrupted gently. "Yes,

er what is come of Heaven,

he bowed over her hand, and she spoke wi

ed his hand again and again-that he was somehow put upon his honour, and he thought it a fine thing to stand on a platform of unspoken compact with this gentleman of a social school unfamiliar to him; from which it may be seen that catt

coast; but indeed it might have been seen by all men, so outwardly formal was it, even as their brief conversations had been si

e to her until the moment of parting. Then the elder man said: "Sir, your consideration and delicacy of feeling have moved

the plains two members of a Royal Commission of Inquiry. He had relieved them of such money as was in their pockets, and then had caused them to write sumptuous cheques on their banks, payable to bearer. These he had cashed in the very teeth of the law, and actually paused in the street to read a description of himself poste

ear by; a man who, however gentlemanly his bearing, had a face where the devil of despair had set his foot, and who carried in his pocket more than one weapon of inhospitable suggestion. But t

c and looked long at the face, and at last rose, and stole silently to where his horse was tied in the scrub. He mounted, and turning towards the house muttered: "A little more of this, and good-bye to my nerves! But it's pleasant to have the taste of it in my mouth for a

she had gone to visit him, but he would not see her. Bad as he had been, his desire was still strong that the family name should not be publicly reviled. At his trial his real name had not been made known; and at his request his sister sent him no letters. Going into gaol a reckless man he came out a constitutional criminal; with the n

oing to prison, and he chose the former. The sorrow of the crime killed his mother. From Adelaide, where he and Barbara had made their new home, he w

bushranger was. She thought only and continuously of the day when her brother should be released, to begin the

ed in his laboratory; and the sailors of many a passing vessel saw the light of his lamp in the dim hours before dawn, and spoke of fever in the port of Rahway. No

hore. The old man did not at first look up, and the other leisurely studied him as the sounder clicke

ot," was the reply. "But y

r drew the telegraph-forms towards him and wrote on one, saying as he did so: "My business is important;" the

isbane. I am here tonight; to-morrow find me. Roadmaster." He read it twice befor

aster," sai

w himself up, and appeared to measure his visitor as a swordsman

if you wish; or there are men at The Angel's Rest and a Chinaman or two here

nd that you give

the reply. The soldier's hands trembled, but it was from imminent illness, not from fear or exci

y it on the shoulder of the other; but somethin

Bachelor," said Roadma

Who are you?" he faintly exclaimed. "I

h mocking bitterness: "I was Edward Golding, gentleman; I became Edward Go

ful to see. "You-you-that, E

Will you ar

can

and said: "I knew you could not. Why did I come? L

inst this thing, but he said slowly at la

You've had it rough enough, without my putting a rock in your swag that would spoil you for the rest of the tramp. You see

idn't want to disgrace you, you understand," he said. "You were at Wandenong; I know that, never mind how. She'd marry you if I

he bushranger's arms were thrown round him and helped him to a chair.

hirty-six hours had passed a note was delivered to a station-hand at Wandenong addressed to Barbara Golding, and signed by the woman from The Angel's Rest. Within a

e night in which the crisis, the fortunate crisis, of the fever occurred, he talked of a great flood coming from the North, and in his half-delirium bade them send to headquarters, and mournfully muttered of drowned plantations and human peril.

llen sea before him; and the only avenue of escape closed by Blood Finchley's friends. He had been eluding his pursuers for days with little food and worse than no sleep. He knew that he had played his last card and lost; but he had one thing yet to do, that which even the vilest do, if they can, before they pay the final penalty-to creep back for a moment into their honest past, however dim and far away. With incredible skill he had passed under the very rifles of his hunt

oise of the opening door br

"Oh, Edward, you

at last," he q

ayed for you, Edw

sy in our family." He had been going to say highwayman, but paused in time. "I always intended to be good and always ended by being bad. I wanted to be of the angels and play with the devils also.

r. Yes, you have been wicked, but you have

both the stolen waters and the rod,

knew you would! God has answer

ing to a confused sound of voices coming from the shore. At length he

he replied: "That you marry him," poin

I cannot tell him, Ed

kn

ll him?" It was the lover, no

that I'm going to refo

kept it from him five-and-twenty ye

l Islands," he

sland group in the Pacific, tearf

far away,

to see me again-you will come to

a strangely determined flash of his dark eyes: "Yes, Barbara, I will come

, must you g

w. They are waitin

k, and she said plaintively: "God keep you, Edward.

Bachelor the mercy of silence, and gave it to Gongi, who whispered that he was surrounded. This he knew; he had not studied sounds in prison through the best years of his life

the eyes of the bushranger, the woman from The Angel's Rest and Louis Bachelor saw the pale face of Roadmaster peer through the bedroom window at Ba

ONE C

on them violently, and

rge count

'd give my commission

you would

hink hardly of him. There were five of us brothers, and we all worshipped him. He could r

eyelid across the disc of the huge yellow sun, as it sank in the sky straight out from the Golden Gate. The long wash of the Pacific was in their ears at their left, behind them w

s, by nature, the ablest man I ever knew

the trouble

but his brain, his imagination were always hunting. He w

en thing more interes

teresting, stood out, as it were, he ha

ngsby, for

interesting that he couldn't help but be interesting himself. Whatever he was, I never knew a woman speak ill of him.... Once a year there comes to me a letter fro

s too big to be anything bu

place I'd have done the same. I ought to resign, and I have. Yet if I had to do it over again, I'd be the same. I don't repent. I'm out of the Navy now, and it doesn't make any differenc

d officer, and I wish to God you were a damned bad fellow and a damned good officer-for then there were no need to part.' At that they parted. But as Edward was leaving, the Admiral came forward again, and said: 'Where are you going, Debney?' 'I'm going nowhere, sir,' Ted answered. 'I'm being tossed

from that day he disappeared, and no one has seen him since. God knows where he is; but I was thinking, as I looked out th

ite why he had t

igate off Tahiti which was bor

d how like Ted it was-an insti

act was mere brutality, and had not sufficient

gler fly the

f the United States which prevented serious internati

ever got on

of it. No doubt he changed his name. He never asked

think you had come acr

n significa

was he

, then said quietly: "Slave-dealing, and doing it succe

ed it was not

. It would appeal to him on some grand scale, with real danger an

et, the surface of the water like corrugated silver stretching to the farther sky, with that long lane of golden light crossing it to the sun, Alcatras, A

yn at last; "he might

when you get back to England, I wish you'd visit my mother for me, for I shall

, and said: "It's the second th

for a last look at the Golden Gate, Mostyn said musingly: "I wonder h

fth Avenue, and the Champs Elysees. What does

men asked to come and say good-bye to Mostyn, who was starting for

very possible device, and all her appointments were shapely and in order. She was clearly a British man-of-war, as shown in her trim-dressed sailors, her good handful of marines; but her second and third lieutenants seemed little like Englishmen. There was gun-drill and cutlass-drill every day, and, what was also sin

l of the old school, and his eye was as keen for his officers as for his men; and that might have seemed strange too, if one had seen him two years before commanding a schooner with a roving commission in the South Seas. Then he was more genial of eye and less professional of face. Here he could never be mistaken for anything else th

tness and elasticity, the whole man had the athletic grace of a wild animal, and his face had a hearty sort of humour, which the slightly-lifting lip, in its insolent disdain, could not greatly modify. He cer

nto the large country; and I've had a lot of adventure and sport. But here's something more the biggest game ever played

from the corvette, that a British man-of-war was coming. She came leisurely up the bay, with Captain Shewell on the bridge. He gave a low whistle as he saw the Cormorant in the distance. He knew the harbour well, and saw that the Cormorant had gone to a new anchorage, not the same as British men-of

Collingwood-said that he was proceeding to Alaska to rescue a crew shipwrecked which had taken refuge on a barren island, and that he was leaving the next day as soon as he could get some coal; though he feared it would be difficult coaling up that night. He did not need a great deal, he said-which was, indeed, the case-but he did need some, and for the Hornet's safety he must have it. After this, with

natural, seeing that a first night in port is a sort of holiday for officers and men. If these sailors had been watched closely, however, it would have been seen that they visited but few saloons on shore, and drank little, and then evidently as a blind. Close watching would also have discovered t

for him to call upon the captain of the Cormorant, and he ought to have done so the evening before, but he had not dared to run the risk, nor could he venture this morning. And yet if the Cormorant discovered that the Hornet was not a British man-of-war, but a bold and splendid imposture, made possible by a daring ex-officer of the British Navy, she might open fire, and he could make but

y, indignant at the lack of etiquette, and a little suspicious also now-for there was no Hornet in the Pacific S

but Captain Debney was most shaken. He turned white, and put out his hand to the bulwark to steady himself. But Captain Shewell held

Dick, or there'll be a me

you do it?" replied

," said Richard Debney. "Neither, Dick! I'll save your bacon." He made a sign, the gangway was closed, he gave the

e asked sternly, as he saw

pieces. You've got to do it, of cours

you intend c

arilones,

a sick look. "Take me to

oo closely to those who part, knowing that they will never meet again. They had been children i

there alone, he was once more a naval officer, and he called out sternly: "S

y, and watched his brother's boat recede, till it was

as he turned away toward the bri

g there came an accident to her machinery, and with two days' start th

once her captain? W

LE SP

luncheon party, said half-apologetically: "Of course my experience is small, but in many parts of the world I have been surprised to see how uniform revolutionises the savage. Put

rather give up both than an idea which had got firmly fixed in his mind. He was very deferential in his remarks, but at the same time he was q

, and Lady Tynemouth said: "But I suppose it depends somewhat on the race, doesn't it, Mr. Travers

rham; "awful liars, awful scound

ity of the majority of the native servants. Look at the native mounted police in Australia; at the Sikhs in the Settlements and the Native States; at the Indian scouts of the United States and Canada

ar away, and upon the frowning and mighty rampart that makes Aden one of the most impregnable stations of the Empire. The amusement in his eyes had died away; and as he dipped his fingers in the water at his side and motioned for a quickening of the punkahs, he said: "There is force in what you sa

al experience of "uniformed savages." As the ladies rose Miss Angel said naively to Blithelygo: "You oug

enty years: long enough to be cynical of justice at the Horse Guards or at the India Office: to beco

animals like the rest. Silence fell on us. This was a new life to two of us; to Warham it was familiar, therefore comfortable and soporific. I leaned back and languidly scanned the scene; eyes halfshut, senses half-awake. An Arab sheikh passed swiftly with his curtained harem; and then went filing by in orderly and bright array a number of Mahommedans, the first of them bearing on a cushion of red velvet, and covered with a cloth of scarlet and gold, a dead child to burial. Down from the colos

. Then there came, as if in a dream, a harsh and far-off murmur of voices. It grew from a murmur to a sharp c

n. Knives were flashing; murder was afoot. There stood, with his back to the door of the house, a Somauli policeman, defending himself against this raging little mob. Not defendi

nwounded arm. We were unarmed and helpless; no Somaulis were near.

teel rounding the corner at our left, and the Mahommedans broke away, with a part

s of blood. As we looked at him gashed all over, but not mortally woun

iserable Israelite with his red hemmed skirt and greasy face. For this cowardly creature the Somauli pol

the Jew. His countenance grew peaceful. He sank back again into the arms of t

with a chilled kind of lustre to his voi

GAR F

coa-palms and tamarinds, the waterfalls dropping over sheer precipices a thousand feet into the ocean, the green embrasures where the mango, the guava, and the lovi lovi grow, and where the hibiscus lifts red hands to the light. I call to mind the luau where Kalakua, the King, presided over the dispensation of stewed puppy, lifted to one's lips by brown but fair fingers, of live shrimps, of poi and

on the sands and watched the long white coverlet of foam folding towards the shore, and saw visions and dreamed dreams. But at times we also breathed a prayer-a praye

spent hours in thinking out rudely caustic things to repeat about this little kingdom. He said that the Government was a Corliss-engine running a sewing machine. He used to ask the Commander of the Forces when the Household Cavalry were going into summer camp-they were twelve. The only thing that appeared to impress him seriously was Molokai, the desolate island where the lepers made their cheerless prison-home. But the reason for his gravity appeared w

at he talked of buying up a portion of one of the Islands for sugar-planting, that induced the King to be gracious to him. However that might be, when Blithelygo and I joined his Majesty at Hilo to visit the extinct volcano of Kilauea, there was the American coolly puffing his cigar and quizzically feeling the limb

o his aide-de-camp and raised his eyebrows in

the standing army with us,

h brought, as I thought, a slight flush to his swarthy cheek. The soldier-his name was Lilikalu-looked from his King to the critic of his King's kingdom and standing army, and there was a

urney. Only once was the Chicagonian's wit not stupid as well as offensive. It chanced thus. The afternoon in which we reached the volcano was suffocatingly hot, and the King's bodyguard had discarded all clothing-brief when complete-save what would not count in any handicap. He was therefore at peace, while the rest of us, Royal

vulgar f

.......

and volcanic crust enveloping us all about. We were four thousand feet above the level of the sea. We were standing at the door of the House of Pele, th

about it," said the American as he st

ur boots. Within thirty-six hours Kilauea has sprung from its flameless sleep into sulphurous life and red roaring grandeur. Though Pele came but slowly, she c

an, "why don't you turn

e came-the shortest way. A compromise was made by his Majesty sending 1/60th of the standing army with the American, who gaily said he would join us, "horse, foot and cavalry," in the bridle-path. We reached the meeting-point first, but as we looked back we saw with horror that two streams of fire were

There was one hope-the shore was narrow yet. But in running the American fell, spraining his ankle badly. We wer

is hands. It was clear to him that unless a miracle happened he would see h

us, and then the soldier-naked, all save the boots he wore-seized the other in his arms, stepped back a few paces, and then ran forward and leaped across the barrier of flame. Not quite across! One foot and ankle sank into the mol

WANGO WA

ay anywhere. Just when we were bored beyond endurance and when cigars were running low, a Fijian came to

k Terraces, bidding him an eternal farewell. We wished it so. But we had met him afterwards at Norfolk Island,

ing completeness of the snug saloon we were taken aft to see two coops filled with fowls. "Say," said the American, "how's that for fresh meat?" Though a little ashamed of it, we then and there accepted the Chicagonian's invitation to take a cruise with him in the South Pacific. For days the cruise was pleasant enough, and then things began to drag. Fortunately there came a new interest in the da

o him, you've got him in Andersonville, U. S." Thus, da

rds remarked, it shows how nations sometimes acquire territory. Yes, this Coliseum of ours had as much to do with the annexation as had the American's toil

ackward and we were saved. The hurricane found us fretful with life by reason of the heat, it left us thankful for being let to live at all; though the Wilderness appeared little better than a drifting wreck. Our commissariat was gone, or almost gone, we hadn't any masts or sails to speak of, and the cook informed us

ough to warrant a breeze taking any interest in it. We had been saved from immediate destruction, but it certainly seemed like exchanging Tophet fo

un up the American flag. Ther

along the cigars; we'll have out

nish our sufferings. We became as haggard and woe-begone a lot as ever ate provisions impregnated with salt; we turned wistfully from claret to a teaspoonful of water, and had tongues like pieces of blotting-paper. One morning we were sitting at breakfast when we heard a cock-crow,

it Blithelygo unfeelingly remarked that its population might be cannibalistic. MacGregor said it was very likely; but we'd have to be fattened first, and that

en rifles handy. As the islanders approached we could see that they also were armed; and a brawny race they looked, and particularly bloodthirsty. In the largest canoe stood a splendid-looking

rdered a couple of natives ashore, and in five minutes we had wild bananas and fish to eat, and water to drink. But that five minutes of waiting were filled with awkward incidents. Blithelygo, meaning to be hospitable, had brought up a tumbler of claret for the headman. With violent language, MacGregor stopped its presentation; upon which the poison of suspicion evidently entered the mind of t

p his hair sleek with hair-oil, verbena scented, and to perfume himself daily with new-mown hay or heliotrope. Thus was he of goodly savour to the chief, and the eyes of the savage gr

ked grave. "By the great horn-spoons," he said,

It was most unpleasant. Suddenly I saw the American start. He got up, turned to us, and said: "I've got an idea. MacGregor, get U. S. and Bob Lee." Then he quietly disappeared, the eyes of the savages suspiciously following him. In a moment he came back, bearing in his arms a mirror, a bottle of hair-oil, a c

uddenly there was a commotion in the canoes that still remained near the Wilderness. The headman appeared before us, and beck

can flag was hoisted on a staff, and on a mighty stump there sat Van Blaricom, almost innocent of garments, I grieve to say, with one whom we came to know as Totimalu, Queen of Pango Wango, a half circle of savages behind them. Van Blaricom and MacGregor had been naturalised by having their shoulders lanced with a spear-point, and then rubbed against the lanced s

uty to hold the pencil. She did so, and then he stood up, and, while the cock-fight still went on, he read, with a fine Chicago fluency, what p

Presents, et cetera,

re born free and equa

era. We, Jude Van Bla

he consent of Queen To

Abe Lincoln, Grover Cl

he Grace of Heaven, e

the Kingdom of Pang

can Union, to have and

ution of the United

BLARICOM, TOTIM

otimalu's shoulder. "Come and join the royal party, g

Pango Wan

ABLE R

ough and coarsely effective means for preserving order and morality, but the whole scheme was too absurdly simple. Now, with a Constitution and a Sacred Majesty, and two Houses of Parliament, and a native Magistracy, they show that they are capable of becoming European in its most pregnant meanin

, hibiscus bushes, and limes; the sensuous, perfume-ladened air pervading all. I had seen the British flag from the coral-bulwarked harbour, but could not find it now. Leaving the indolent village behind, I passed the Palace, where I beheld the sacred majesty of Tonga on the veranda sleepily flapping t

t his neck. That was all. Evidently he was not interested in me, for he walked on. I choked back my feelings of hurt pride, and asked him in an off-hand kind of way, and in a sort of pigeon English, if he could tell me where the British consul lived. The stalwart subject o

y things necessary for the good of his country. Remembering where I was, I expressed myself in terms that were gentle though austere regarding the King, and reproved the supineness and stupidity of the Crown Prince. Lamenting the departed puissance of the sons of Tongatabu, I warmed to my subject, telling this savage who looked at me with so neutral a countenance how muc

and with a "Talofa" the only Tongan I knew-I passed into the garden of the consulate. The consul himself came to the door when I knocked on the lintel. After glancing at my card he shook me by the hand, and then paused. His eyes were intently directed along the road by which I had come

w my royal guide flip the sixpence into his mouth-he

er wide-eyed smiling at me for a minute gave place to others. Though I too smiled, my thoughts were gloomy; for now it seemed impossible to go to the Palace and present myself to King George and the Heir-Apparent. But the consul, and,

ation, looked at me as though he had never seen me before. He was courteous, however, directing a tappa cloth to be spread for me. The things I intended to say to King George for the good of himself and his kingdom, which I had thought out on the steamer Lubeck and rehearsed to my guide a few hours before, would not be tempted forth. There was silence; for the consul did not seem "to be on in the s

ns had finished, the Crown Prince's cigarette was ready. A small calabash of the Result was handed to me, and the cigarette accompanied it. The Crown Prince sat directly opposite me, lit his own cigarette, and handed the matches. I distinctly remember the first half-dozen puffs of that cigarette, the first taste of kava it had the flavour of soft soap and Dover's powder.

Royal Highness about an hour and a half. The last thing I remember about the visit was the voice of the successor to the

dit I respect

GAR AND THE L

we met a blind beggar tapping his way home. Sherry stopped

nor," was the rep

ind man pushed a hand d

rry to me in English. "He's not quite sure

has he got

usiness, eh? Got it in big money most

but very young, as are most of the policemen in Mexico, save the Rurales, that splendid company of highwaymen whom Diaz bought over from being bandits to be the guardians of the peace. This one eyed us meaningly, but Sherry gave him a reassuring nod, and our talk went on, while the

a light came over it, and he said, repeating Sherry's name: "Si, senor; si, si, senor. I know you now. You sit in

y. "And now, be gad, I believe I

sen

ws look so much alike that I didn't recognise this one. He's

is hat to wave away the smell of garlic. Present

ison Dore, to the Cafe de la Conco

ng your respects

at consideration of the hidalgos there assemble

o the poor lendeth to the Lord. Becodar has large t

h words. Sherry, seeing, said: "We were saying, Becodar, that the blessed saints know

He tapped the wall. "Whe

Presently he stood still. We were beside the church. Against the door, in a niche, was a figure of the Virgin in stone. He go

e sum is by three reals greater than any day since Lent began. He promises to bring some flowers to-morrow for the shrine, and he also swear

vantage in the cafes and public resorts. He never once stirred them, and I was presently surprised to see that they were all fastened to the floor. Sherry seemed as astonished as I. From this strangeness I came to another. Looking up at the walls I saw set in the timber a number of holes cleanly bored. And in one of the last of these holes was a peg. Again my eyes shifted. From a nail in one corner of the room hung a red and white zarape, a bridle, one of those graceless bits which would wrench the mouth of the wildest horse to agony, and a sombrero. Something in these things fascinated me. I got up and examined them, while

: "If I knew where it was I'd take a real. Carambo! No, I wouldn't. I'll ask him. I'll give him the new sword-stick that my cousin the Rurales gave me. He doesn't need it now he's not a bandit. I'm stuffed, and my head swims. It's the pulque. Sabe Dios!" Again: "Compadre, the most miraculous, that goes tapping your stick along the wall, and jingles the silver in your pocket, whither do you wander? Have you forgotten that I am going to the cock-fight, and want a real? What is a cock-fight wit

r?" asked Sherry of our host, as, on

er now, but no father, no father." He smiled. "You have never seen so bold and enterprising, never so handsome a boy. He can throw the lasso and use the lariat

father, Becodar? D

his father and myself, the compadre. We were all great friends. But you know the way of men. One day he and I-Santiago, Bernal's father-had been drinking mescal. We quarrelled-I know not why. It is not well nor right for a padre and a compadre to fight-there is trouble in Heaven over that. But there is a way; and we did it as others have done. We took off our sombreros, and put our compadreship on the ground under them. That was all right-it was hid there under the hat. Then we stood up and fought-such a fight-for half an hour. Then he cut me in the thigh-a great gash-and I caught him in the neck the same. We both came to the ground then, the fight was over, and we were, of course, good frie

took both, eating and enjoying as well as I could. Sherry groan

r sight, Becodar?" as

The leaders were captured in a house, brought out, and without trial were set against a wall. I can remember it so well-so well! The light was streaming from an open door upon the wall. They were brought out, taken across the road and stood against a wall. I was standing a distance away, for at the moment I was sorry, though, to be sure, senor, it was for the cause of the country then, I tho

es you chilly, doesn't it? Shot his own brother-amounts to same thing, doesn't it? All ri

all in my house here, sitting just where you sit in those chairs. Our leader was Castodilian, the bandit with the long yellow hair. We had a keg of powder which we were going to distribute. All at once Gonzales's soldiers burst in. There was a fight, we were overpowered, and Castodil

er and thrust a dollar into the ever-waiting hand. Becodar gave a great sign of pleasure, and fumbled again with the money in his pocket. Then, aft

wall. Sherry questioned him. "Why do you spik

two left, eh, Becodar? How will they die, and when?" Becodar was motionless as a stone for a moment. Then he said softly: "I do not know quite how or when. But one drinks much mescal, and the other has a taste for quarrel. He will get in trouble with the Rurales, and then good-bye to him! Four others on furlough got in trouble with the Rurales, and that w

ne-pretended to sleep-to be careless. The fellows made a rush

ently. "Ah, senor, who can te

s like a sweet little vendetta, doesn't it? A blind

nd yet they talk of this country being Americanised! You can't Americanise a country with a

ok at ruins-Diaz was President then. Well, a party of Aztecs on the other side of the river began firing across, not as if doing or meaning any harm. By-and-bye the shot came rattling through the tent of the two. One

cs got rattled, and then the bullets ra

done? They meant no

andit turned soldier is a notable gentleman-gentlemen all his tribe.... You see," Sherry added to me, "the country was infested with bandits-some big names in this land

try in order. Put down the banditti, be my boundary-riders, my gentlemen guards, and we will all love you and cherish you.' And

nal the boy when he grows u

e served the matador in the ring, though I did not know it, foolish boy! But I would have him

tle Red Peg goes no fart

e and the boy!" I add

e door was shut, and the wee scarlet light was burning ove

D OF TH

ns, the long finger of the Semaphore!

his here below; and yet the sun is bright, the cockatoos

Now it points across

, where the deep woods are, an

ight is now! I can only see It-

ere is no cloud at all: but It is like a finger;

ot sure! But the hill

ot cloudy; even at this distance one can see

e White Rock, whe

tears. Your heart is tender. Your tears are for th

is, that long dark finger on the Hill of Pain

as-as if I were your own child-was there no cloud, no sudden

e, d

ose it was my tears that

it was y

thing come, O God!" Presently, with a caress, the elder woman left the ro

a letter she had drawn from her pocket, a voice

suppose they'll try to converge upon him before he gets to Pascal River. Once t

rs tightened

sh to the cheek of the girl, a hint of trouble t

wife will be distress

nk. The Hotel du Gouverneur spoils us

think as you are not many. After all, I am little

a military station and t

ris; with a sprinkling of gentlemen and officers dying of boredom. No, my friend, we French

t the nick

s and for political priso

lantat

f mines, but he is English. The man who has done best financially in New Caledonia is an Englishman. You, and

W

t hour now and then beneath your vines and fig-trees; and so making this uniform less burdensome to carry. No, no,

om Hugh Tryon said: "Does M. Laflam

that. Prisoners are prisoners, and though Laflamm

t-class prisoner, and others of the Commune

of a patriot. Well, they sent Mayer to the galleys at Toulon first; then, among the worst of the prisoners here-he was too bold, too full of speech; he had not Laflamme's gift of silence, of pathos. Mayer works coarsely, severely here; Laflamme grows his vegetable

that Mad

to paint my portrait. He has done so,

t?-

hings have t

usingly repeated, and then added u

rupted; and then, as they were entering the room, gail

erneur. I could not help but hear something of what y

s tender mercies, monsieur,"

, Hugh said: "Yo

, no, I

Don't tell me that your father says sugar is falling." He gl

y father has not said that sugar is falling-but come here, will you?" and she motioned towards the open window. When t

convict has escaped; he will be caught perhaps

' of the Inquisition, as Mayer said the other day in the face of Charpentier, the Commandant of the penitentiary. How pleasant also to think of the Boulevard de Guillotine! I tell y

s brutal things were done

red and sixty stro

lf too much about t

ld be easier than the life o

es would prefe

has escaped?" she feverishly ask

ommune who escaped shooting in the Place de

epeated, and turned her hea

leaped up now determinedly-perhaps unwisely; but what should a blunt soul like Hugh Tryon know regarding the best or worst time to seek a w

as if not understanding what h

a prison

joined a little trem

arie." His eyes l

ith the occasion of his suit, and every woman has in her mind the time when she should

man to be a coward in his speech"-he touched her fingers-"when he loves."

ow. Both turned, and saw the political pri

portrait," she said. "T

ee you again? When will you answer me? Yo

quickly, and said, not unkindly: "When M. Laflamme has gone." And now, as if repenting of her unreasonable words of a moment before,

At the door he turned as if to say something, but he

ere footsteps without in the hall-way. The door was opened, and a servant announced M. Laflamme. The painter-priso

wait outside to-day, Roupet. This is my last morning's work. It is impo

red: "Monsieur,

ning. You won't? Oh, yes, you will. Here's a cigarette-there, take the whole bunch-I paid too much for them, but no matter. Ah, pardon me, mademoiselle. I forgot that you cann

or has a soft place in his heart for a beautiful woman. He wheeled suddenly

more was continued without a word. In the

amme said in a low voice to Marie: "Her

remar

of my life to paint it. Not that first joy I had when I won the great prize in Paris equa

hy

urd is

I know

r this portrait. The chance came. I was tem

k that he wi

verything but the guillotine. Carbourd has a wife and children-ah, yes, you know a

ed slowly: "I am ill, and our children cry for food. The wife cal

eyes wer

e would have died for the cause grandly. He

," she said, as t

was the smallest whisper.

d where d

if I can, at the Pascal River.

turned and looked at Angers,

uet, which will lie off the island Saint Jerome three days from now to car

l this-why?" the gi

with which we could travel the Brocken Path across the hills. Here is the plan of the river that

o have given i

of a noble action, of a

am sorry for you; I think you do not deserve this-banishment; you

t only that I may be a man again; that I may love my

t speak so. Do not take advantag

t that was in my heart,

I can only know you

he knout is held; who may at any moment be shot down like a hare: who has but two

im: "Your first p

rought tears to the eyes of the guards?-What made the captain and the sailors turn their heads away from us, lest we should se

eu, p

est e

u pa

z

n, treille a

ruits d'or

u, p

oret, p

u pa

ur

saw that Angers was waking. "If I live," he hurriedly whispered, "

the horses." Then, more lo

tered the room. She acknowledg

ame," he said, point

ly, but said: "It is ve

"Will you permit me to say adieu, mesdames? I go to jo

d himse

Marie aside. Anger

on her shoulder. "Marie," she said, "M. Tryo

the Frenchwoman's breast, and said: "Ah, do no

t, so soon!

t go t

d you would stay

ill-go with

The woman kissed th

gers was driving ahead. Beside Marie rode Tryon silent and attentive. Arrived at the homestead, she said to

man could do

the Semapho

is clear agains

r finger-tips, as though they were fevered, and then said:

, Ma

. Lafl

er face changed to a startled flush for an instant, his generosity conquered, and he

ogether in the galleys, they lived-at first-togeth

hat do you know of thi

all before you w

sk, because you will not

and join Carbourd on the Pascal River, at a s

rstand. You would

help me.

ll. But think what this is to an Englishman-to yoursel

e believed he was a patriot. If you were in that case,

you that this man escape, I shall hope he may,

d. "He has no sympathy for any one like t

g it about, God knows! Now let us be less gloomy. Conspirators should smile. T

glistening on the Hill of

ot under