Captain，youtalktotheCompany’smens。Ithinktheyarenotpleased。\"
\"Naturally。\"
\"Theyhavenosense。Ithoughttogobackwardsagaintheywould。I
leaveherstockadealoneallnighttoletthemout，buttheystayandcomefacewardstome，notbackwards。Theydidnotknowwemustconquermuchinallthesebattles，ortheking，heiskickedoffherthrone。Nowwehavewonthisbattle-thisgreatbattle，\"hewavedhisarmsabroad，\"andIthinkyouwillsaysothatwehavewon，Captain。Youareloyalistalso。YouwouldnotdisturbtothepeacefulEurope？Captain，Itellyouthis。YourQueensheknowtoo。Shewouldnotfighthercousins。Itisa-ahand-upthing。\"
\"What？\"
\"Hand-upthing。Jobeyouput。Howyousay？\"
\"Put-upjob？\"
\"Yes。Put-upjob。Whoishurt？Wewin。Youlose。Allrighta？\"
Bai-Jove-Judsonhadbeenexplodingatintervalsforthelastfiveminutes。Herehebrokedowncompletelyandroaredaloud。
\"Butlookhere，Governor，\"hesaidatlast，\"I’vegottothinkofotherthingsthanyourriotsinEurope。You’vefiredonourflag。\"
\"Captain，ifyouareme，youwouldhavedonehow？Andalso，andalso，\"hedrewhimselfuptohisfullheight，\"wearebothbravemenofbravestcountries。OurhonouristhehonourofourKing，\"
hereheuncovered，\"andofourQueen，\"herehebowedlow。\"Now，Captain，youshallshellmypalaceandIshallbeyourprisoner。\"
\"Skittles！\"saidBai-Jove-Judson。\"Ican’tshellthatoldhencoop。\"
\"Thencometodinner。Madeira，shearestilltous，andIhaveofthebestshemanufac。\"
Heskippedoverthesidebeaming，andBai-Jove-Judsonwentintothecabintolaughhislaughout。WhenhehadrecoveredalittlehesentMr。DaviestotheheadofthePioneers，thedustymanwiththegatlings，andthetroopswhohadabandonedthepursuitofarmswatchedthedisgracefulspectacleoftwomenreelingwithlaughteronthequarter-deckofagunboat。
\"I’llputmymentobuildhimacustom-house，\"saidtheheadofthePioneers，gasping。\"We’llmakehimonedecentroadatleast。
ThatGovernoroughttobeknighted。I’mgladnowthatwedidn’tfight’emintheopen，orwe’dhavekilledsomeofthem。Sohe’swongreatbattles，hashe？Givehimthecomplimentsofthevictims，andtellhimI’mcomingtodinner。Youhaven’tsuchathingasadress-suit，haveyou？Ihaven’tseenoneforsixmonths。\"
Thateveningtherewasadinnerinthevillage-ageneralandenthusiasticdinner，whoseheadwasintheGovernor’shouse，andwhosetailthreshedatlargethroughoutallthestreets。TheMadeirawaseverythingthattheGovernorhadsaid，andmore，anditwastestedagainsttwoorthreebottlesofBai-Jove-Judson’sbestVanderhum，whichisCapebrandytenyearsinthebottle，flavouredwithorange-peelandspices。Beforethecoffeewasremoved（bytheladywhohadmadetheflagoftruce）theGovernorhadsoldthewholeofhisgovernorshipanditsappurtenances，oncetoBai-Jove-JudsonforservicesrenderedbyJudson’sgrandfatherinthePeninsularWar，andoncetotheheadofthePioneers，inconsiderationofthatgentleman’sgoodfriendship。Afterthenegotiationheretreatedforawhileintoaninnerapartment，andthereevolvedatrueandcompleteaccountofthedefeatoftheBritisharms，whichhereadwithhiscockedhatoveroneeyetoJudsonandhiscompanion。ItwasJudsonwhosuggestedthesinkingoftheflat-ironwithallhands，andtheheadofthePioneerswhosuppliedthelistofkilledandwounded（notmorethantwohundred）inhiscommand。
\"Gentlemen，\"saidtheGovernorfromunderhiscockedhat，\"thepeaceofEuropearesavedbythisraporta。YoushallallbeKnightsoftheGoldenHide。Sheshallgobythe’Guadala’。\"
\"GreatHeavens！\"saidBai-JoveJudson，flushedbutcomposed，\"thatremindsmeI’veleftthatboatstuckonherbroadsidedowntheriver。Imustgodownandsoothethecommandante。He’llbebluewithrage。Governor，letusgoasailontherivertocoolourheads。Apicnic，youunderstand。\"
\"Ya-as，everythingIunderstand。Ho！Apicnica！Youareallmyprisoner，butIamgoodgaoler。Weshallpicnicontheriver，andweshalltakeallthegirls。Comeon，myprisoners。\"
\"Idohope，\"saidtheheadofthePioneers，staringfromtheverandahintotheroaringvillage，\"thatmychapswon’tsetthetownalightbyaccident。Hullo！Hullo！AguardofhonourforHisExcellencythemostillustriousGovernor！\"
Somethirtymenansweredthecall，madeaswayinglineuponamoreswayingcourse，andboretheGovernormostswayinglyofallhighinthearmsastheystaggereddowntotheriver。Andthesongthattheysangbadethem，\"Swing，swingtogethertheirbodybetweentheirknees\"；andtheyobeyedthewordsofthesongfaithfully，exceptthattheywereanythingbut\"steadyfromstroketobow。\"
HisExcellencytheGovernorsleptonhisuneasylitter，anddidnotwakewhenthechorusdroppedhimonthedeckoftheflat-iron。
\"Good-nightandgood-bye，\"saidtheheadofthePioneerstoJudson；\"I’dgiveyoumycardifIhadit，butI’msodamneddrunkIhardlyknowmyownclub。Oh，yes！It’stheTravellers。IfeverwemeetinTown，rememberme。Imuststayhereandlookaftermyfellows。We’reallrightintheopen，now。Is’poseyou’llreturntheGovernorsometime。Thisisapoliticalcrisis。Good-night。\"
Theflat-ironwentdownstreamthroughthedark。TheGovernorsleptondeck，andJudsontookthewheel，buthowhesteered，andwhyhedidnotrunintoeachbankmanytimes，thatofficerdoesnotremember。Mr。Daviesdidnotnoteanythingunusual，fortherearetwowaysoftakingtoomuch，andJudsonwasonlyward-room，notfoc’s’ledrunk。AsthenightgrewcoldertheGovernorwokeup，andexpressedadesireforwhiskeyandsoda。Whenthatcametheywerenearlyabreastofthestranded\"Guadala\"，andHisExcellencysalutedtheflagthathecouldnotseewithloyalandpatrioticstrains。
\"Theydonotsee。Theydonothear，\"hecried。\"Tenthousandsaints！Theysleep，andIhavewonbattles！Ha！\"
Hestartedforwardtothegun，which，verynaturally，wasloaded，pulledthelanyard，andwokethedeadnightwiththeroarofthefullchargebehindacommonshell。Thatshellmercifullyjustmissedthesternofthe\"Guadala\"，andburstonthebank。\"NowyoushallsaluteyourGovernor，\"saidhe，asheheardfeetrunninginalldirectionswithintheironskin。\"Whyyoudemandsobaseaquarter？Iamherewithallmyprisoners。\"
Inthehurly-burlyandthegeneralshriekformercyhisreassuranceswerenotheard。
\"Captain，\"saidagravevoicefromtheship，\"wehavesurrendered。
IsitthecustomoftheEnglishtofireonahelplessship’？\"
Surrendered！HolyVirgin！Igotocutoffalltheirheads。Youshallbeatebywildants-floggedanddrowned。Throwmeabalcony。ItisI，theGovernor！Youshallneversurrender。Judsonofmysoul，ascendherinsides，andsendmeabed，forIamsleepy；but，oh，Iwillmultipletimekillthatcaptain！\"
\"Oh！\"saidthevoiceinthedarkness，\"Ibegintocomprehend。\"Andarope-ladderwasthrown，upwhichtheGovernorscrambled，withJudsonathisheels。
\"Nowwewillenjoyexecutions，\"saidtheGovernoronthedeck。
\"AlltheseRepublicansshallbeshot。LittleJudson，ifIamnotdrunk，whyaresoslopingtheboardswhichdonotsupport？\"
Thedeck，asIhavesaid，wasataverystiffcant。HisExcellencysatdown，slidtoleeward，andwasasleepagain。
Thecaptainofthe\"Guadala\"bithismoustachefuriously，andmutteredinhisowntongue：\"Thislandisthefatherofgreatvillainsandthestepfatherofhonestmen。Youseeourmaterial，Captain。Itissoeverywherewithus。Youhavekilledsomeoftherats，Ihope？\"
\"Notarat，\"saidJudsongenially。
\"Thatisapity。Iftheyweredead，ourcountrymightsendusmen；
butourcountryisdeadtoo，andIamdishonouredonamud-bankthroughyourEnglishtreachery。\"
\"Well，itseemstomethatfiringonalittletubofoursizewithoutawordofwarning，whenyouknowthatthecountrieswereatpeace，istreacheryenoughinasmallway。\"
\"Ifoneofmygunshadtouchedyou，youwouldhavegonetothebottom，allofyou。IwouldhavetakentheriskwithmyGovernment。Bythattimeitwouldhavebeen-\"
\"ARepublic？Soyoureallydidmeanfightingonyourownhook？
You’reratheradangerousofficertocutlooseinanavylikeyours。Well，whatareyougoingtodonow？\"
\"Stayhere。Goawayinboats。Whatdoesitmatter？Thatdrunkencat\"-hepointedtotheshadowinwhichtheGovernorslept-\"ishere。Imusttakehimbacktohishole。\"
\"Verygood。I’lltowyouoffatdaylightifyougetsteamready。\"
\"Captain，IwarnyouthatassoonasshefloatsagainIwillfightyou。\"
\"Humbug！You’llhavelunchwithme，andthenyou’lltaketheGovernoruptheriver。\"
Thecaptainwassilentforsometime。Thenhesaid：\"Letusdrink。
Whatmustbe，mustbe；andafterallwehavenotforgottenthePeninsula。Youwilladmit，Captain，thatitisbadtoberunuponashoallikeamud-dredger？\"
\"Oh，we’llpullyouoffbeforeyoucansayknife。TakecareofHisExcellency。Ishalltrytogetalittlesleepnow。\"
Theysleptonbothshipstillthemorning，andthentheworkoftowingoffthe\"Guadala\"began。Withthehelpofherownengines，andthetuggingandpuffingoftheflat-iron，sheslidoffthemud-banksidewaysintothedeepwater，theflatironimmediatelyunderherstern，andthebigeyeofthefour-inchgunalmostpeeringthroughthewindowofthecaptain’scabin。
RemorseintheshapeofaviolentheadachehadovertakentheGovernor。Hewasuneasilyconsciousthathemight，perhaps，haveexceededhispowers；andthecaptainofthe\"Guadala\"，inspiteofallhispatrioticsentiments，remembereddistinctlythatnowarhadbeendeclaredbetweenthetwocountries。HedidnotneedtheGovernor’srepeatedremindersthatwar，seriouswar，meantaRepublicathome，possiblesupersessioninhiscommand，andmuchshootingoflivingmenagainstdeadwalls。
\"Wehavesatisfiedourhonour，\"saidtheGovernorinconfidence。
\"Ourarmyisappeased，andtheraportathatyoutakehomewillshowthatwewereloyalandbrave。Thatothercaptain？Bah！heisaboy。Hewillcallthisa-a。Judsonofmysoul，howyousaythisis-allthisaffairswhichhavetranspiratedbetweenus？\"
Judsonwaswatchingthelasthawserslippingthroughthefairlead。
\"Callit？Oh，Ishouldcallitratheralark。Nowyourboat’sallright，Captain。Whenwillyoucometolunch？\"
\"Itoldyou，\"saidtheGovernor，\"itwouldbealarquetohim。\"
\"MotheroftheSaints！thenwhatishisseriousness？\"saidthecaptain。\"Weshallbehappytocomewhenyouplease。Indeed，wehavenootherchoice，\"headdedbitterly。
\"Notatall，\"saidJudson，andashelookedatthethreeorfourshot-blistersonthebowsofhisboatabrilliantideatookhim。
\"Itiswewhoareatyourmercy。SeehowHisExcellency’sgunsknockedusabout。\"
\"SeniorCaptain，\"saidtheGovernorpityingly，\"thatisverysad。
Youaremostinjured，andyourdecktoo，itisallshotover。Weshallnotbetoosevereonabeatman，shallwe，Captain？\"
\"Youcouldn’tspareusalittlepaint，couldyou？I’dliketopatchupalittleafterthe-action，\"saidJudsonmeditatively，fingeringhisupperliptohideasmile。
\"Ourstore-roomisatyourdisposition，\"saidthecaptainofthe\"Guadala\"，andhiseyebrightened；forafewleadsplashesongraypaintmakeabigshow。
\"Mr。Davies，goaboardandseewhattheyhavetospare-tospare，remember。Theirspar-colourwithalittleworkingupshouldbejustourfreeboardtint。\"
\"Oh，yes。I’llsparethem，\"saidMr。Daviessavagely。\"Idon’tunderstandthishow-d’you-doanddamn-your-eyesbusinesscomingoneatopoftheotherinamannero’speaking。Byallrights，they’reourlawfulprize。\"
TheGovernorandthecaptaincametolunchintheabsenceofMr。
Davies。Bai-Jove-Judsonhadnotmuchtooffer，butwhathehadwasgivenasbyabeatenfoemantoagenerousconqueror。Whentheywerealittlewarmed-theGovernorgenialandthecaptainalmosteffusive-heexplained，quitecasually，overtheopeningofabottlethatitwouldnotbetohisinteresttoreporttheaffairseriously，anditwasinthehighestdegreeimprobablethattheAdmiralwouldtreatitinanygravefashion。
\"Whenmydecksarecutup\"（therewasonegrooveacrossfourplanks），\"andmyplatesbuckled\"（therewerefiveleadpatchesonthreeplates），\"andImeetsuchaboatasthe’Guadala’，andamereaccidentsavesmefrombeingblownoutofthewater-\"
\"Yes。Amereaccident，Captain。Theshoal-buoyhasbeenlost，\"
saidthecaptainofthe’Guadala’。
\"Ah？Idonotknowthisriver。Thatwasverysad。ButasIwassaying，whenanaccidentsavesmefrombeingsunk，whatcanIdobutgoaway-ifthatispossible？ButIfearthatIhavenocoalfortheseavoyage。Itisverysad。\"JudsonhadcompromisedonwhatheknewoftheFrenchtongueasaworkinglanguage。
\"Itisenough，\"saidtheGovernor，wavingageneroushand。\"Judsonofmysoul，thecoalisyours，andyoushallberepaired-yes，repairedalloverofyourbattle’swounds。Youshallgowithallthehonoursofallthewars。Yourflagshallfly。Yourdrumshallbeat。Your，ah！-jollyboysshallspoketheirbayonets。Isitnotso，Captain？\"
\"Asyousay，Excellency。Butthetradersinthetown。Whatofthem？\"
TheGovernorlookedpuzzledforaninstant。Hecouldnotquiterememberwhathadhappenedtothosejovialmenwhohadcheeredhimovernight。Judsoninterruptedswiftly：\"HisExcellencyhassetthemtoforcedworksonbarracksandmagazines，and，Ithink，acustom-house。Whenthatisdonetheywillbereleased，Ihope，Excellency。\"
\"Yes，theyshallbereleasedforyoursake，littleJudsonofmyheart。\"Thentheydrankthehealthoftheirrespectivesovereigns，whileMr。Daviessuperintendedtheremovalofthescarredplankandtheshot-marksonthedeckandthebow-plates。
\"Oh，thisistoobad，\"saidJudsonwhentheywentondeck。\"Thatidiothasexceededhisinstructions，but-butyowmustletmepayforthis！\"
Mr。Davies，hislegsinthewaterashesatonastagingslungoverthebows，wasacutelyconsciousthathewasbeingblamedinaforeigntongue。Hesmileduneasily，andwentonwithhiswork。
\"Whatisit？\"saidtheGovernor。
\"Thatthick-headhasthoughtthatweneededsomegold-leaf，andhehasborrowedthatfromyourstoreroom，butImustmakeitgood。\"
TheninEnglish，\"Standup，Mr。Davies。Whatthe-in-doyoumeanbytakingtheirgold-leaf？My-，areweasetofpiratestoscrapethegutsoutofaLevantinebumboat？Lookcontrite，youbutt-ended，broad-breeched，bottle-bellied，swivel-eyedsonofatinker，you！MySoulalive，can’tImaintaindisciplineinmyownshipwithoutablacksmithofaboiler-riveterputtingmetoshamebeforeayellow-nosedpicaroon。Getoffthestaging，Mr。Davies，andgototheengine-room。Putdownthatleaffirst，though，andleavethebookswheretheyare。I’llsendforyouinaminute。Goaft！\"
Now，onlytheupperhalfofMr。Davies’sroundfacewasabovethebulwarkswhenthistorrentofabusedescendeduponhim；anditroseinchbyinchastheshowercontinued：blankamazement，bewilderment，rage，andinjuredpridechasingeachotheracrossittillhesawhissuperiorofficer’slefteyelidflutteronthecheektwice。Thenhefledtotheengine-room，andwipinghisbrowwithahandfulofcotton-waste，satdowntoovertakecircumstances。
\"Iamdesolated，\"saidJudsontohiscompanions，\"butyouseethematerialthatyougiveus。Thisleavesmemoreinyourdebtthanbefore。ThestuffIcanreplace\"（gold-leafisnevercarriedonfloatinggun-platforms），\"butfortheinsolenceofthatmanhowshallIapologise？\"
Mr。Davies’smindmovedslowly，butafterawhilehetransferredthecotton-wastefromhisforeheadtohismouthandbitonittopreventlaughter。Hebeganaseconddanceontheengine-roomplates。\"Neat！Oh，damnedneat！\"hechuckled。\"I’veservedwithagoodfew，butthereneverwasonesoneatashim。AndIthoughthewasthenewkindthatdon’tknowhowtoputafewwords，asitwere！\"
\"Mr。Davies，youcancontinueyourwork，\"saidJudsondowntheengine-roomhatch。\"Theseofficershavebeengoodenoughtospeakinyourfavour。Makeathoroughjobofitwhileyouareaboutit。
Slaponeverymanyouhave。Wheredidyougetholdofit？\"
\"Theirstoreroomisaregulartheatre，sir。Youcouldn’tmissit。
There’senoughfortwofirst-rates，andI’vescoffedthebesthalfofit。\"
\"Looksharp，then。Weshallbecoalingfromherthisafternoon。
You’llhavetocoveritall。\"
\"Neat！Oh，damnedneat！\"saidMr。Daviesunderhisbreath，ashegatheredhissubordinatestogether，andsetaboutaccomplishingthelong-deferredwishofJudson’sheart。
Itwasthe\"MartinFrobisher\"，theflag-ship，agreatwar-boatwhenshewasnew，inthedayswhenmenbuiltforsailaswellasforsteam。Shecouldturntwelveknotsunderfullsail，anditwasunderthatthatshestoodupthemouthoftheriver，apyramidofsilverbeneaththemoon。TheAdmiral，fearingthathehadgivenJudsonataskbeyondhisstrength，wascomingtolookforhim，andincidentallytodoalittlediplomaticworkalongthecoast。Therewashardlywindenoughtomovethe\"Frobisher\"acoupleofknotsanhour，andthesilenceofthelandclosedaboutherassheenteredthefairway。Heryardssighedalittlefromtimetotime，andtherippleunderherbowsansweredthesigh。Thefullmoonroseoverthesteamingswamps，andtheAdmiral，gazinguponit，thoughtlessofJudsonandmoreofthesofteremotions。Inanswertotheverymoodofhismind，therefloatedacrossthesilverlevelsofthewater，mellowedbydistancetoamostpoignantsweetness，thethrobofamandolin，andthevoiceofonewhocalleduponagenteelJulia-uponJulia，anduponlove。Thesongceased，andthesighingoftheyardswasallthatbrokethesilenceofthebigship。
Againthemandolinbegan，andthecommanderontheleesideofthequarter-deckgrinnedagrinthatwasreflectedinthefaceofthesignal-midshipman。Notawordofthesongwaslost，andthevoiceofthesingerwasthevoiceofJudson。
\"Lastweekdownouralleycameatoff，Niceoldgeyserwithanastycough，Seesmymissus，takeshistopperoff，Quiteinagentlemanlyway\"-
andsoontotheendoftheverse。Thechoruswasbornebyseveralvoices，andthesignal-midshipman’sfootbegantotapthedeckfurtively。
\"’Whatcheer！’alltheneighbourscried。
’’Ooareyougoingtomeet，Bill？
’Aveyouboughtthestreet，Bill？’
Laugh？-IthoughtIshouldha’diedWhenIknocked’emintheoldKentRoad。\"
ItwastheAdmiral’sgig，rowingsoftly，thatcameintothemidstofthatmerrylittlesmoking-concert。ItwasJudson，theberibbonedmandolinroundhisneck，whoreceivedtheAdmiralashecameupthesideofthe\"Guadala\"，anditmayormaynothavebeentheAdmiralwhostayedtilltwointhemorninganddelightedtheheartsoftheCaptainandtheGovernor。Hehadcomeasanunbiddenguest，andhedepartedasanhonouredone，butstrictlyunofficialthroughout。JudsontoldhistalenextdayintheAdmiral’scabinaswellashecouldinthefaceoftheAdmiral’sgalesoflaughter，butthemostamazingtalewasthattoldbyMr。DaviestohisfriendsinthedockyardatSimon’sTownfromthepointofviewofasecond-classengine-roomartificer，allunversedindiplomacy。
Andiftherebenotrutheitherinmytale，whichisJudson’stale，orthetaleofMr。Davies，youwillnotfindinharbouratSimon’sTownto-dayaflat-bottomedtwin-screwgunboat，designedsolelyforthedefenceofrivers，abouttwohundredandseventytons’displacementandfivefeetdraught，wearinginopendefianceoftherulesoftheServiceagoldlineonhergraypaint。Itfollowsalsothatyouwillbecompelledtocreditthatversionofthefraywhich，signedbyHisExcellencytheGovernoranddespatchedinthe\"Guadala\"，satisfiedtheself-loveofagreatandgloriouspeople，andsavedamonarchyfromtheill-considereddespotismwhichiscalledaRepublic。
ACONFERENCEOFTHEPOWERS
Lifelivethbutinlife，anddothnotroamTootherlandsifallbewellathome：
\"Solidasoceanfoam，\"quothoceanfoam。
Theroomwasbluewiththesmokeofthreepipesandacigar。Theleave-seasonhadopenedinIndia，andthefirst-fruitsonthissideofthewaterwere\"Tick\"Boileau，ofthe45thBengalCavalry，whocalledonme，afterthreeyears’absence，todiscussoldthingswhichhadhappened。Fate，whoalwaysdoesherworkhandsomely，sentupthesamestaircasewithinthesamehourTheInfant，freshfromUpperBurma，andheandBoileaulookingoutofmywindowsawwalkinginthestreetoneNevin，lateinaGoorkharegimentwhichhadbeenthroughtheBlackMountainExpedition。
Theyyelledtohimtocomeup，andthewholeStreetwasawarethattheydesiredhimtocomeup，andhecameup，andtherefollowedPandemoniuminmyroombecausewehadforegatheredfromtheendsoftheearth，andthreeofuswereonaholiday，andnoneofusweretwenty-five，andallthedelightsofallLondonlaywaitingourpleasure。
Boileautooktheonlyotherchair，TheInfant，byrightofhisbulk，thesofa；andNevin，beingalittleman，satcross-leggedonthetopoftherevolvingbookcase，andweallsaid，\"Who’dha’
thoughtit！\"and\"Whatareyoudoinghere？\"tillspeculationwasexhaustedandthetalkwentovertoinevitable\"shop。\"Boileauwasfullofagreatschemeforwinningamilitaryattach？shipatSt。
Petersburg；NevinhadhopesoftheStaffCollege，andTheInfanthadbeenmovingheavenandearthandtheHorseGuardsforacommissionintheEgyptianarmy。
\"What’stheuseo’that？\"saidNevin，twirlingroundonthebookcase。
\"Oh，heaps！’CourseifyougetstuckwithaFellaheenregiment，you’resold；butifyouareappointedtoaSoudaneselot，you’reinclover。Theyarefirst-classfighting-men-andjustthinkoftheeligiblecentralpositionofEgyptinthenextrow！\"
Thiswasputtingthematchtoamagazine。WeallbegantoexplaintheCentralAsianquestionoff-hand，flingingarmycorpsfromtheHelmundtoKashmirwithmorethanRussianrecklessness。Eachoftheboysmadeforhimselfawartohisownliking，andwhenwehadsettledallthedetailsofArmageddon，killedallourseniorofficers，handledadivisionapiece，andnearlytorntheatlasintwoinattemptstoexplainourtheories，Boileauneedsmustliftuphisvoiceabovetheclamour，andcry，\"Anyhowit’llbethehellofarow！\"intonesthatcarriedconvictionfardownthestaircase。
Entered，unperceivedinthesmoke，WilliamtheSilent。\"Gen’elmantoseeyou，sir，\"saidhe，anddisappeared，leavinginhissteadnoneotherthanMr。EustaceCleever。WilliamwouldhaveintroducedtheDragonofWantleywithequaldisregardofpresentcompany。
\"I-Ibegyourpardon。Ididn’tknowthattherewasanybody-
withyou-\"
ButitwasnotseemlytoallowMr。Cleevertodepart；hewasagreatman。Theboysremainedwheretheywere，foranymovementwouldhavechokedupthelittleroom。Onlywhentheysawhisgrayhairstheystoodontheirfeet，andwhenTheInfantcaughtthename，hesaid：
\"Areyou-didyouwritethatbookcalled’AsitwasintheBeginning’？\"
Mr。Cleeveradmittedthathehadwrittenthebook。
\"Then-thenIdon’tknowhowtothankyou，sir，\"saidTheInfant，flushingpink。\"Iwasbroughtupinthecountryyouwroteabout-
allmypeoplelivethere；andIreadthebookincampontheHlinedatalone，andIkneweverystickandstone，andthedialecttoo；and，byJove！itwasjustlikebeingathomeandhearingthecountrypeopletalk。Nevin，youknow’AsitwasintheBeginning’？
SodoesTi-Boileau。\"
Mr。Cleeverhastastedasmuchpraise，publicandprivate，asonemanmaysafelyswallow；butitseemedtomethattheoutspokenadmirationinTheInfant’seyesandthelittlestirinthelittlecompanycamehometohimverynearlyindeed。
\"Won’tyoutakethesofa？\"saidTheInfant。\"I’llsitonBoileau’schair，and-\"herehelookedatmetospurmetomydutiesasahost；butIwaswatchingthenovelist’sface。Cleeverhadnottheleastintentionofgoingaway，butsettledhimselfonthesofa。
FollowingthefirstgreatlawoftheArmy，whichsays\"allpropertyiscommonexceptmoney，andyou’veonlygottoaskthenextmanforthat，\"TheInfantofferedtobaccoanddrink。Itwastheleasthecoulddo；butnotthemostlavishpraiseintheworldheldhalfasmuchappreciationandreverenceasTheInfant’ssimple\"Saywhen，sir，\"abovethelongglass。
Cleeversaid\"when，\"andmorethereto，forhewasagoldentalker，andhesatinthemidstofhero-worshipdevoidofalltaintofself-interest。Theboysaskedhimofthebirthofhisbook，andwhetheritwashardtowrite，andhowhisnotionscametohim；andheansweredwiththesameabsolutesimplicityashewasquestioned。Hisbigeyestwinkled，hedughislongthinhandsintohisgraybeardandtuggeditashegrewanimated。Hedroppedlittlebylittlefromthepeculiarpinchingofthebroadervowels-theindefinable\"euh，\"thatrunsthroughthespeechofthepunditcaste-andtheelaboratechoiceofwords，tofreely-
mouthed\"ows\"and\"ois，\"and，forhimatleast，unfetteredcolloquialisms。Hecouldnotaltogetherunderstandtheboys，whohunguponhiswordssoreverently。Thelineofthechin-strap，thatstillshowedwhiteanduntannedoncheekboneandjaw，thesteadfastyoungeyespuckeredatthecornersofthelidswithmuchstaringthroughred-
hotsunshine，theslow，untroubledbreathing，andthecurious，crisp，curtspeechseemedtopuzzlehimequally。Hecouldcreatemenandwomen，andsendthemtotheuttermostendsoftheearth，tohelp，delight，andcomfort；hekneweverymoodofthefields，andcouldinterpretthemtothecities，andheknewtheheartsofmanyincityandcountry，buthehadhardly，infortyyears，comeintocontactwiththethingwhichiscalledaSubalternoftheLine。Hetoldtheboysthisinhisownway。
\"Well，howshouldyou？\"saidTheInfant。\"You-you’requitedifferent，y’see，sir。\"
TheInfantexpressedhisideasinhistoneratherthanhiswords，butCleeverunderstoodthecompliment。
\"We’reonlySubs，\"saidNevin，\"andwearen’texactlythesortofmenyou’dmeetmuchinyourlife，Is’pose。\"
\"That’strue，\"saidCleever。\"Ilivechieflyamongmenwhowrite，andpaint，andsculp，andsoforth。Wehaveourowntalkandourowninterests，andtheouterworlddoesn’ttroubleusmuch。\"
\"Thatmustbeawfullyjolly，\"saidBoileau，ataventure。\"Wehaveourownshop，too，but’tisn’thalfasinterestingasyours，ofcourse。Youknowallthemenwho’veeverdoneanything；andweonlyknockaboutfromplacetoplace，andwedonothing。\"
\"TheArmy’saverylazyprofessionifyouchoosetomakeitso，\"
saidNevin。\"Whenthere’snothinggoingon，thereisnothinggoingon，andyoulieup。\"
\"Ortrytogetabilletsomewhere，tobereadyforthenextshow，\"
saidTheInfantwithachuckle。
\"Tome，\"saidCleeversoftly，\"thewholeideaofwarfareseemssoforeignandunnatural，soessentiallyvulgar，ifImaysayso，thatIcanhardlyappreciateyoursensations。Ofcourse，though，anychangefromidlingingarrisontownsmustbeagodsendtoyou。\"
Likemanyhome-stayingEnglishmen，CleeverbelievedthatthenewspaperphrasehequotedcoveredthewholedutyoftheArmywhosetoilsenabledhimtoenjoyhismany-sidedlifeinpeace。Theremarkwasnotahappyone，forBoileauhadjustcomeofftheFrontier，TheInfanthadbeenonthewarpathfornearlyeighteenmonths，andthelittleredmanNevintwomonthsbeforehadbeensleepingunderthestarsattheperilofhislife。Butnoneofthemtriedtoexplain，tillIventuredtopointoutthattheyhadallseenserviceandwerenotusedtoidling。Cleevertookintheideaslowly。
\"Seenservice？\"saidhe。Then，asachildmightask，\"Tellme。
Tellmeeverythingabouteverything。\"
\"Howdoyoumean？\"saidTheInfant，delightedatbeingdirectlyappealedtobythegreatman。
\"GoodHeavens！HowamItomakeyouunderstand，ifyoucan’tsee。
Inthefirstplace，whatisyourage？\"
\"Twenty-threenextJuly，\"saidTheInfantpromptly。
Cleeverquestionedtheotherswithhiseyes。
\"I’mtwenty-four，\"saidNevin。
\"AndI’mtwenty-two，\"saidBoileau。
\"Andyou’veallseenservice？\"
\"We’veallknockedaboutalittlebit，sir，butTheInfant’sthewar-wornveteran。He’shadtwoyears’workinUpperBurma，\"saidNevin。
\"Whenyousaywork，whatdoyoumean，youextraordinarycreatures？\"
\"Explainit，Infant，\"saidNevin。
\"Oh，keepingthingsinordergenerally，andrunningaboutafterlittledakus-that’sdacoits-andsoon。There’snothingtoexplain。\"
\"MakethatyoungLeviathanspeak，\"saidCleeverimpatiently，abovehisglass。
\"Howcanhespeak？\"saidI。\"He’sdonethework。Thetwodon’tgotogether。But，Infant，you’reorderedtobukb。\"
\"Whatabout？I’lltry。\"
\"Bukbaboutadaur。You’vebeenonheapsof’em，\"saidNevin。
\"Whatintheworlddoesthatmean？HastheArmyalanguageofitsown？\"
TheInfantturnedveryred。Hewasafraidhewasbeinglaughedat，andhedetestedtalkingbeforeoutsiders；butitwastheauthorof\"AsitwasintheBeginning\"whowaited。
\"It’sallsonewtome，\"pleadedCleever；\"and-andyousaidyoulikedmybook。\"-
ThiswasadirectappealthatTheInfantcouldunderstand，andhebeganratherflurriedly，withmuchslangbredofnervousness-
\"Pullmeup，sir，ifIsayanythingyoudon’tfollow。AboutsixmonthsbeforeItookmyleaveoutofBurma，IwasontheHlinedatalone，upneartheShanStates，withsixtyTommies-
privatesoldiers，thatis-andanothersubaltern，ayearseniortome。TheBurmesebusinesswasasubaltern’swar，andourforcesweresplitupintolittledetachments，allrunningaboutthecountryandtryingtokeepthedacoitsquiet。Thedacoitswerehavingafirst-classtime，y’know-fillingwomenupwithkeroseneandsetting’emalight，andburningvillages，andcrucifyingpeople。\"
ThewonderinEustaceCleever’seyesdeepened。Hecouldnotquiterealisethatthecrossstillexistedinanyform。
\"Haveyoueverseenacrucifixion？\"saidhe。
\"Ofcoursenot。’Shouldn’thavealloweditifIhad；butI’veseenthecorpses。Thedacoitshadatrickofsendingacrucifiedcorpsedowntheriveronaraft，justtoshowtheywerekeepingtheirtailupandenjoyingthemselves。Well，thatwasthekindofpeopleIhadtodealwith。\"
\"Alone？\"saidCleever。Solitudeofthesoulhecouldunderstand-
nonebetter-buthehadneverinthebodymovedtenmilesfromhisfellows。
\"Ihadmymen，buttherestofitwasprettymuchalone。Thenearestpostthatcouldgivemeorderswasfifteenmilesaway，andweusedtoheliographtothem，andtheyusedtogiveusorderssameway-toomanyorders。\"
\"WhowasyourC。0。？\"saidBoileau。
\"Bounderby-Major。PukkaBounderby；moreBounderthanpukka。HewentoutupBhamoway。Shot，orcutdown，lastyear，\"saidTheInfant。
\"Whataretheseinterludesinastrangetongue？\"saidCleevertome。
\"Professionalinformation-liketheMississippipilots’talk，\"
saidI。\"Hedidnotapproveofhismajor，whodiedaviolentdeath。Goon，Infant。\"
\"Fartoomanyorders。Youcouldn’ttaketheTommiesoutforatwodays’daur-that’sexpedition-withoutbeingblownupfornotaskingleave。Andthewholecountrywashummingwithdacoits。I
usedtosendoutspies，andactontheirinformation。Assoonasamancameinandtoldmeofaganginhiding，I’dtakethirtymenwithsomegrub，andgooutandlookforthem，whiletheothersubalternlaydoggoincamp。\"
\"Lay！Pardonme，buthowdidhelie？\"saidCleever。
\"Laydoggo-layquiet，withtheotherthirtymen。WhenIcameback，he’dtakeouthishalfofthemen，andhaveagoodtimeofhisown。\"
\"Whowashe？\"saidBoileau。
\"Carter-Deecey，oftheAurungabadis。Goodchap，buttoozubberdusty，andwentbokharfourdaysoutofseven。He’sgoneouttoo。Don’tinterruptaman。\"
Cleeverlookedhelplesslyatme。
\"Theothersubaltern，\"Itranslatedswiftly，\"camefromanativeregiment，andwasoverbearinginhisdemeanour。Hesufferedmuchfromthefeverofthecountry，andisnowdead。Goon，Infant。\"
\"Afterabit，wegotintotroubleforusingthemenonfrivolousoccasions，andsoIusedtoputmysignallerunderarresttopreventhimreadingthehelio-orders。ThenI’dgooutandleaveamessagetobesentanhourafterIgotclearofthecamp，somethinglikethis：’Receivedimportantinformation；startinanhour，unlesscountermanded。’IfIwasorderedback，itdidn’tmuchmatter。IsworetheC。0。’swatchwaswrong，orsomething，whenI
cameback。TheTommiesenjoyedthefun，and-Oh，yes，therewasoneTommywhowasthebardofthedetachment。Heusedtomakeupversesoneverythingthathappened。\"
\"Whatsortofverses？\"saidCleever。
\"Lovelyverses；andtheTommiesusedtosing’em。Therewasonesongwithachorus，anditsaidsomethinglikethis。\"TheInfantdroppedintothetruebarrack-roomtwang：
\"Theebaw，theBurmaking，didaveryfoolishthing，When’emustered’ostileforcesinar-rai，’Elittlethoughtthatwe，fromfaracrossthesea，WouldsendourarmiesuptoMandalai！\"
\"0gorgeous！\"saidCleever。\"Andhowmagnificentlydirect！Thenotionofaregimentalbardisnewtome，butofcourseitmustbeso。\"
\"Hewasawflypopularwiththemen，\"saidTheInfant。\"Hehadthemalldowninrhymeassoonasevertheyhaddoneanything。Hewasagreatbard。HewasalwaysreadywithanelegywhenwepickedupaBoh-that’saleaderofdacoits。\"
\"Howdidyoupickhimup？\"saidCleever。
\"Oh！shothimifhewouldn’tsurrender。\"
\"You！Haveyoushotaman？\"
Therewasasubduedchucklefromallthreeboys，anditdawnedonthequestionerthatoneexperienceinlifewhichwasdeniedtohimself，andheweighedthesoulsofmeninabalance，hadbeensharedbythreeveryyounggentlemenofengagingappearance。HeturnedroundonNevin，whohadclimbedtothetopofthebookcaseandwassittingcross-leggedasbefore。
\"Andhaveyou，too？\"
\"Thinkso，\"saidNevin，sweetly。\"IntheBlackMountain。Hewasrollingcliffsontomyhalf-company，andspoilingourformation。
Itookariflefromaman，andbroughthimdownatthesecondshot。\"
\"GoodHeavens！Andhowdidyoufeelafterwards？\"
\"Thirsty。Iwantedasmoke，too。\"
CleeverlookedatBoileau-theyoungest。Surelyhishandswereguiltlessofblood。
Boileaushookhisheadandlaughed。\"Goon，Infant，\"saidhe。
\"Andyoutoo？\"saidCleever。
\"Fancyso。Itwasacaseofcut，cutorbecut，withme；soIcut-one。Icouldn’tdoanymore，sir。\"
Cleeverlookedasthoughhewouldliketoaskmanyquestions，butTheInfantsweptoninthefulltideofhistale。
\"Well，wewerecalledinsubordinateyoungwhelpsatlast，andstrictlyforbiddentotaketheTommiesoutanymorewithoutorders。Iwasn’tsorry，becauseTommyissuchanexactingsortofcreature。Hewantstoliveasthoughhewereinbarracksallthetime。Iwasgrubbingonfowlsandboiledcorn，buttheTommieswantedtheirpoundoffreshmeat，andtheirhalfounceofthis，andtheirtwoouncesoft’otherthing，andtheyusedtocometomeandbadgermeforplugtobaccowhenwewerefourdaysinjungle。I
said：’IcangetyouBurmatobacco，butIdon’tkeepacanteenupmysleeve。’Theycouldn’tseeit。Theywantedalltheluxuriesoftheseason，confound’em！\"
\"Youwerealonewhenyouweredealingwiththesemen？\"saidCleever，watchingTheInfant’sfaceunderthepalmofhishand。Hewasreceivingnewideas，andtheyseemedtotroublehim。
\"Ofcourse，unlessyoucountthemosquitoes。Theywerenearlyasbigasthemen。AfterIhadtoliedoggoIbegantolookforsomethingtodo，andIwasgreatpalswithamancalledHickseyinthePolice，thebestmanthateversteppedonearth；afirst-classman。\"
Cleevernoddedapplause。Heknewhowtoappreciateenthusiasm。
\"HickseyandIwereasthickasthieves。HehadsomeBurmamountedpolice-rummychaps，armedwithswordandSnidercarbine。TheyrodepunchyBurmaponies，withstringstirrups，redclothsaddles，andredbell-ropeheadstalls。HickseyusedtolendmesixoreightofthemwhenIaskedhim-nippylittledevils，keenasmustard。
Buttheytoldtheirwivestoomuch，andallmyplansgotknown，tillIlearnedtogivefalsemarchingordersovernight，andtakethementoquiteadifferentvillageinthemorning。Thenweusedtocatchthesimpledakubeforebreakfast，andmadehimverysick。
It’saghastlycountryontheHlinedatalone；allbamboojungle，withpathsaboutfourfeetwidewindingthroughit。Thedakuknewallthepaths，andpottedatusaswecameroundacorner；butthemountedpoliceknewthepathsaswellasthedaku，andweusedtogostalking’eminandout。Onceweflushed’em，themenontheponieshadtheadvantageofthemenonfoot。Weheldallthecountryabsolutelyquietfortenmilesround，inaboutamonth。
ThenwetookBohNa-ghee，HickseyandIandthecivilofficer。
Thatwasalark！\"
\"IthinkIambeginningtounderstandalittle，\"saidCleever。\"Itwasapleasuretoyoutoadministerandfight？\"
\"Rather！There’snothingnicerthanasatisfactorylittleexpedition，whenyoufindyourplansfittogether，andyourinformation’steek-correct，youknow，andthewholesub-chiz-I
mean，wheneverythingworksoutlikeformulaeonablackboard。
HickseyhadalltheinformationabouttheBoh。Hehadbeenburningvillagesandmurderingpeoplerightandleft，andcuttingupGovernmentconvoys，andallthat。Hewaslyingdoggoinavillageaboutfifteenmilesoff，waitingtogetafreshgangtogether。Sowearrangedtotakethirtymountedpolice，andturnhimoutbeforehecouldplunderintoournewly-settledvillages。Atthelastminute，thecivilofficerinourpartoftheworldthoughthe’dassistattheperformance。\"
\"Whowashe？\"saidNevin。
\"HisnamewasDennis，\"saidTheInfantslowly。\"Andwe’llletitstayso。He’sabettermannowthanhewasthen。\"
\"Buthowoldwasthecivilpower？\"saidCleever。\"Thesituationisdevelopingitself。\"
\"Hewasaboutsix-and-twenty，andhewasawf’lyclever。Heknewalotofthings，butIdon’tthinkhewasquitesteadyenoughfordacoit-hunting。WestartedovernightforBohNa-ghee’svillage，andwegottherejustbeforemorning，withoutraisinganalarm。
Dennishadturnedoutarmedtohisteeth-tworevolvers，acarbine，andallsortsofthings。IwastalkingtoHickseyaboutpostingthemen，andDennisedgedhisponyinbetweenus，andsaid，’WhatshallIdo？WhatshallIdo？Tellmewhattodo，youfellows。’Wedidn’ttakemuchnotice；buthisponytriedtobitemeintheleg，andIsaid，’Pulloutabit，oldman，tillwe’vesettledtheattack。’Hekeptedgingin，andfiddlingwithhisreinsandhisrevolvers，andsaying，’Dearme！Dearme！Oh，dearme！WhatdoyouthinkI’dbetterdo？’Themanwasinadeadlyfunk，andhisteethwerechattering。\"
\"Isympathisewiththecivilpower，\"saidCleever。\"Continue，youngClive。\"
\"Thefunofitwas，thathewassupposedtobeoursuperiorofficer。Hickseytookagoodlookathim，andtoldhimtoattachhimselftomyparty。BeastlymeanofHicksey，that。Thechapkeptonedginginandbothering，insteadofaskingforsomemenandtakinguphisownposition，tillIgotangry，andthecarbinesbeganpoppingontheothersideofthevillage。ThenIsaid，’ForGod’ssakebequiet，andsitdownwhereyouare！Ifyouseeanybodycomeoutofthevillage，shootathim。’Iknewhecouldn’thitahayrickatayard。ThenItookmymenoverthegardenwall-
overthepalisades，y’know-somehoworother，andthefunbegan。
HickseyhadfoundtheBohinbedunderamosquito-curtain，andhehadtakenaflyingjumpontohim。\"
\"Aflyingjump！\"saidCleever。\"Isthatalsowar？\"
\"Yes，\"saidTheInfant，nowthoroughlywarmed。\"Don’tyouknowhowyoutakeaflyingjumpontoafellow’sheadatschool，whenhesnoresinthedormitory？TheBohwassleepinginabedfulofswordsandpistols，andHickseycamedownlikeZazelthroughthenetting，andthenetgotmixedupwiththepistolsandtheBohandHicksey，andtheyallrolledonthefloortogether。IlaughedtillIcouldn’tstand，andHickseywascursingmefornothelpinghim；
soIlefthimtofightitoutandwentintothevillage。Ourmenwereslashingaboutandfiring，andsowerethedacoits，andinthethickofthemesssomeasssetfiretoahouse，andweallhadtoclearout。Ifrozeontothenearestdakuandrantothepalisade，shovinghiminfrontofme。Hewriggledlooseandboundedovertheotherside。Icameafterhim；butwhenIhadonelegonesideandonelegtheotherofthepalisade，IsawthatthedakuhadfallenflatonDennis’shead。ThatmanhadnevermovedfromwhereIlefthim。Theyrolledonthegroundtogether，andDennis’scarbinewentoffandnearlyshotme。Thedakupickedhimselfupandran，andDennisbuzzedhiscarbineafterhim，anditcaughthimonthebackofhisheadandknockedhimsilly。Youneversawanythingsofunnyinyourlife。Idoubleduponthetopofthepalisadeandhungthere，yellingwithlaughter。ButDennisbegantoweeplikeanything。’Oh，I’vekilledaman，’hesaid。
’I’vekilledaman，andIshallneverknowanotherpeacefulhourinmylife。Ishedead？Oh，ishedead？GoodLord，I’vekilledaman！’Icamedownandsaid，’Don’tbeafool；’buthekeptonshouting，’Ishedead？’tillIcouldhavekickedhim。Thedakuwasonlyknockedoutoftimewiththecarbine。Hecametoafterabit，andIsaid，’Areyouhurtmuch？’Hegroanedandsaid，’No。’Hischestwasallcutwithscramblingoverthepalisade。’Thewhiteman’sgundidn’tdothat，’hesaid；’Ididthat，andIknockedthewhitemanover。’JustlikeaBurman，wasn’tit？ButDenniswouldn’tbehappyatanyprice。Hesaid：
’Tieuphiswounds。He’llbleedtodeath。Oh，he’llbleedtodeath！’’Tie’emupyourself，’Isaid，’ifyou’resoanxious。’’I
can’ttouchhim，’saidDennis，’buthere’smyshirt。’Hetookoffhisshirt，andfixedthebracesagainoverhisbareshoulders。I
rippedtheshirtup，andbandagedthedacoitquiteprofessionally。
HewasgrinningatDennisallthetime；andDennis’shaversackwaslyingontheground，burstingfullofsandwiches。Greedyhog！I
tooksome，andofferedsometoDennis。’HowcanIeat？’hesaid。
’Howcanyouaskmetoeat？Hisverybloodisonyourhandsnow，andyou’reeatingmysandwiches！’’Allright，’Isaid；’I’llgive’emtothedaku。’SoIdid，andthelittlechapwasquitepleased，andwolfed’emdownlikeoneo’clock。\"
Cleeverbroughthishanddownonthetablewithathumpthatmadetheemptyglassesdance。\"That’sArt！\"hesaid。\"Flat，flagrantmechanism！Don’ttellmethathappenedonthespot！\"
ThepupilsofTheInfant’seyescontractedtotwopin-points。\"I
begyourpardon，\"hesaidslowlyandstiffly，\"butIamtellingthisthingasithappened。\"
Cleeverlookedathimamoment。\"Myfaultentirely，\"saidhe；\"I
shouldhaveknown。Pleasegoon。\"
\"Hickseycameoutofwhatwasleftofthevillagewithhisprisonersandcaptives，allneatlytiedup。BohNa-gheewasfirst，andoneofthevillagers，assoonashefoundtheoldruffianhelpless，begankickinghimquietly。TheBohstooditaslongashecould，andthengroaned，andwesawwhatwasgoingon。Hickseytiedthevillagerupandgavehimahalfadozen，good，withabamboo，toremindhimtoleaveaprisoneralone。YoushouldhaveseentheoldBohgrin。Oh！butHickseywasinafuriousragewitheverybody。He’dgotawipeovertheelbowthathadtickleduphisfunny-bone，andhewasrabidwithmefornothavinghelpedhimwiththeBohandthemosquito-net。IhadtoexplainthatI
couldn’tdoanything。Ifyou’dseen’embothtangleduptogetheronthefloorinonekickingcocoon，you’dhavelaughedforaweek。
HickseysworethattheonlydecentmanofhisacquaintancewastheBoh，andallthewaytocampHickseywastalkingtotheBoh，andtheBohwascomplainingaboutthesorenessofhisbones。Whenwegotback，andhadhadabath，theBohwantedtoknowwhenhewasgoingtobehanged。Hickseysaidhecouldn’tobligehimonthespot，buthadtosendhimtoRangoon。TheBohwentdownonhisknees，andreeledoffacatalogueofhiscrimes-heoughttohavebeenhangedseventeentimesover，byhisownconfession-andimploredHickseytosettlethebusinessoutofhand。’IfI’msenttoRangoon，’saidhe，’they’llkeepmeinjailallmylife，andthatisadeatheverytimethesungetsuporthewindblows。’ButwehadtosendhimtoRangoon，and，ofcourse，hewasletoffdownthere，andgivenpenalservitudeforlife。WhenIcametoRangoonIwentoverthejail-Ihadhelpedtofillit，y’know-andtheoldBohwasthere，andhespottedmeatonce。Hebeggedforsomeopiumfirst，andItriedtogethimsome，butthatwasagainsttherules。ThenheaskedmetohavehisSentencechangedtodeath，becausehewasafraidofbeingsenttotheAndamans。Icouldn’tdothateither，butItriedtocheerhim，andtoldhimhowthingsweregoingup-country，andthelastthinghesaidwas-’Givemycomplimentstothefatwhitemanwhojumpedonme。IfI’dbeenawakeI’dhavekilledhim。’IwrotethattoHickseynextmail，and-andthat’sall。I’m’fraidI’vebeengassingawf’ly，sir。\"
Cleeversaidnothingforalongtime。TheInfantlookeduncomfortable。Hefearedthat，misledbyenthusiasm，hehadfilledupthenovelist’stimewithunprofitablerecitaloftrivialanecdotes。
ThensaidCleever，\"Ican’tunderstand。Whyshouldyouhaveseenanddoneallthesethingsbeforeyouhavecutyourwisdom-teeth？\"
\"Don’tknow，\"saidTheInfantapologetically。\"Ihaven’tseenmuch-onlyBurmesejungle。\"
\"Anddeadmen，andwar，andpower，andresponsibility，\"saidCleever，underhisbreath。\"Youwon’thaveanysensationsleftatthirty，ifyougoonasyouhavedone。ButIwanttohearmoretales-moretales！\"Heseemedtoforgetthatevensubalternsmighthaveengagementsoftheirown。
\"We’rethinkingofdiningoutsomewhere-thelotofus-andgoingontotheEmpireafterwards，\"saidNevin，withhesitation。
HedidnotliketoaskCleevertocometoo。Theinvitationmightberegardedasperilouslynearto\"cheek。\"
AndCleever，anxiousnottowagagraybeardunbiddenamongboysatlarge，saidnothingonhisside。
Boileausolvedthelittledifficultybyblurtingout：\"Won’tyoucometoo，sir？\"
Cleeveralmostshouted\"Yes，\"andwhilehewasbeinghelpedintohiscoatcontinuedtomurmur\"GoodHeavens！\"atintervalsinawaythattheboyscouldnotunderstand。
\"Idon’tthinkI’vebeentotheEmpireinmylife，\"saidhe；\"but-whatismylifeafterall？Letusgo。\"
TheywentoutwithEustaceCleever，andIsulkedathomebecausetheyhadcometoseeme，buthadgoneovertothebetterman；
whichwashumiliating。Theypackedhimintoacabwithutmostreverence，forwashenottheauthorof\"AsitwasintheBeginning，\"andapersoninwhosecompanyitwasanhonourtogoabroad？FromallIgatheredlater，hehadtakenlessinterestintheperformancebeforehimthanintheirconversations，andtheyprotestedwithemphasisthathewas\"asgoodamanastheymake；
knewwhatamanwasdrivingatalmostbeforehesaidit；andyethe’ssodamnedsimpleaboutthingsanymanknows。\"Thatwasoneofmanycomments。
Atmidnighttheyreturned，announcingthattheywere\"highlyrespectablegondoliers，\"andthatoystersandstoutwerewhattheychieflyneeded。Theeminentnovelistwasstillwiththem，andI
thinkhewascallingthembytheirshorternames。Iamcertainthathesaidhehadbeenmovinginworldsnotrealised，andthattheyhadshownhimtheEmpireinanewlight。
Stillsoreatrecentneglect，Iansweredshortly，\"ThankHeavenwehavewithinthelandtenthousandasgoodasthey，\"andwhenhedeparted，askedhimwhathethoughtofthingsgenerally。
Herepliedwithanotherquotation，totheeffectthatthoughsingingwasaremarkablyfineperformance，Iwastobequitesurethatfewlipswouldbemovedtosongiftheycouldfindasufficiencyofkissing。
WherebyIunderstoodthatEustaceCleever，decoratorandcolourmaninwords，wasblaspheminghisownArt，andwouldbesorryforthisinthemorning。