Kit Musgrave's Luck

ng Kit good luck, vanished among the barrels in the dark shop. The tartanero drove Kit to the steamship office, and sitting on the doorstep declared he would not

ava walls, and when Kit narrated the grou

bout, such disputes are numerous," he said in

if your countryman does not miss his ship, the thing is finished. Many do miss their ships an

ll like that,

eed. "All was in stern order, but in this country you have other rules. Well, it

agged patio to a balcony. The creeper's splendid purple shone against the yellow wall and on the opposite balcony old bronze rails twinkled. The shade was cool, and all was quiet but for the rumble of the Atlantic surf. While K

he town. Don Ramon had stated that he need not go on board before midnight. The streets were strangely quiet and for the most part nobody was about; Kit understood the citizens went to sleep in the afternoon. He saw nothing romantic. La

t Kit did not turn his head. He sprang from sober, puritanical stock, and his code was austere; one earned one's pay and studied in order to earn more; one shunned indulgence and trained one'

level. In the distance was Telde, where oranges grow, and Kit set off in the dust and scorching heat. The Trade-breeze blew behind him; on his left hand the Atlan

wore out. Some of the women were young, but when he stopped for a moment at the bridge they did not look up. To beat the clothes was their job, and maize flour and goat's milk cheese are dear. Farther on, Kit saw others, carrying big earthen jars on their heads. They looked like Moorish w

en bananas, with big flowers like bleeding-hearts; and he sat down in the shade. He had meant to walk to Telde; going four miles an hour, one could get back bef

knew no joy and brightness; his horizon was getting wider, but hers was not. Then he remembered Betty's silver cross. Betty went to church; perhaps she found her romance there and saw things beyond his view. She had refused to marry him and perhaps her kiss

' small cap occupied ridiculously the back of his head. His white jacket had lost some buttons and blew open; his thin, red slippers were trodden down

ue, puerco Yngli

t was obvious he was not sober, and his breathless panting jarred on the drowsy calm. Don Ramon had said the English

are you

ship. Purser sa

s Palmas was some distance off. The port was three m

e wrong way," he s

Considine replied. "Beat you,

nd they were forced to stop. Considine declared that if he stooped he could not get straight again, and Kit resignedly put the slippers on his feet. He felt himself ridiculous and

of his stockings was left, but they made progress, and at length the town was close in front. Kit wondered whether the citizens had finished their afternoon sleep, and did not know if it was a relief or not to find t

he gasped. "T

ople came out. Kit seized him and drove him on. The market was not far off and he had seen tartanas in the square. He was breathless, tired and dusty,

talls were occupied and three or four small traps waited for hire. Kit waved to a driver and seized C

. "What's good stopping in t

talked to a man in English clothes. She was very handsome and looked cool and dignified. Kit was young and got hotter when he saw her eyes were fixed on his dishevelled companion. He felt humilia

racking whips, and Kit dragged Considine to the nea

"Beat you easy. Where's my wi

almost got away, but

oing now!

low. Don't like his hor

thicker and people

Gente sin verguen

he held on to Considine. The drivers did not help; they disputed noisily wh

d. I'll lift his

effort, for Considin

r's boat," said Kit; Considi

e said, and shoving back t

d. Kit heard Considine's hoarse shout and all was quiet. He looked about. The girl who wore the yellow dress was gone, but the man stood close b

with your frien

d Kit and added anxiously: "D'you

over nothing before he makes the port, it

governor of a jail. An o

curious tools, but if he sweated for you in India, their plan

u're not

s important, but since you'd had enou

" Kit said na?vely. "Then, of course, since

if you stick to it at Las Palmas, I recko

da Malague?

eamer were a new type. They were business men, holding posts at African factories, but they were not the business men he knew at Liverpool. He could not picture them punctual, careful about small things, or remarkably sober. They had a touch of rashn