\"Dick，\"saidPhoebe，\"there\'sachange。I\'llneverpartwithhim:
andlook，there\'sColliefollowinghim，thatnevercouldabidehim。\"
\"Partwithhim?\"saidReginald。\"Ofcoursenot。Heisagentleman，andtheyarenotsocommoninAfrica。\"
Dick，whohatedFalcon，ignoredthisspeechentirely，andsaid，\"Well，Pheeb，youandColliearewiserthanIam。Takeyourownway，anddon\'tblamemeifanythinghappens。\"
SoonChristopherpaidthepenaltyofreturningreason。Hesufferedallthepoignantagonyagreatheartcanendure。
Sothiswashisrewardforhisgreatactofself-denialinleavinghisbelovedwife。Hehadlosthispatient；hehadlosttheincomefromthatpatient；hiswifewasworseoffthanbefore，andhaddoubtlesssufferedtheanguishofalovingheartbereaved。Hismind，whichnowseemedmorevigorousthanever，afteritslongrest，placedherbeforehisveryeyes，pale，andwornwithgrief，inherwidow\'scap。
Atthepicture，hecriedliketherain。Hecouldgiveherjoy，bywriting；buthecouldnotpreventherfromsufferingawholeyearofmisery。
Turningthisoverinconnectionwiththeirpoverty，hisevilgeniuswhispered，\"Bythistimeshehasreceivedthesixthousandpoundsforyourdeath。SHEwouldneverthinkofthat；butherfatherhas:
andthereishercomfortassured，inspiteofthecaitiffswholeftherhusbandtodrownlikeadog。
\"IknowmyRosa，\"hethought。\"Shehasswooned——ah，mypoordarling——shehasraved——shehaswept，\"hewepthimselfatthethought——\"shehasmournedeveryindiscreetact，asifitwasacrime。ButsheHASdoneallthis。Hergoodandlovingbutshallownatureisnowatrestfromtheagoniesofbereavement，andnoughtremainsbutsadandtenderregrets。Shecanbetterendurethatthanpoverty:cursedpoverty，whichhasbroughtherandmetothis，andistheonlyrealevilintheworld，butbodilypain。\"
Thencameastruggle，thatlastedawholeweek，andknittedhisbrows，andtookthecolorfromhischeek；butitendedinthetriumphofloveandhate，overconscienceandcommonsense。HisRosashouldnotbepoor；andhewouldcheatsomeofthosecontemptiblecreaturescalledmen，whohaddonehimnothingbutinjustice，andatlasthadsacrificedhislifelikearat\'s。
Whenthestrugglewasover，andthefatalresolutiontaken，thenhebecamecalmer，lesssolitary，andmoresociable。
Phoebe，whowassecretlywatchinghimwithawoman\'seye，observedthischangeinhim，and，withbenevolentintentions，invitedhimonedaytorideroundthefarmwithher。Heconsentedreadily。
Sheshowedhimthefieldsdevotedtomaizeandwheat，andthenthesheepfolds。Tim\'ssheepwereapparentlydeserted；buthewasdiscoveredswingingheaddownwardsfromthebranchofacamel-
thorn，andseeinghim，itdidstrikeonethatifhehadhadatailhewouldhavebeenswingingbythat。Phoebecalledtohim:heneveranswered，butsetoffrunningtoher，andlandedhimselfunderhernoseinawheelsomersault。
\"Ihopeyouarewatchingthem，Tim，\"saidhismistress。
\"Iss，missy，alwayswashing\'em。\"
\"Why，there\'sonestrayingtowardsthewoodnow。\"
\"Henotgofar，\"saidTimcoolly。Theyoungmonkeystoleoffalittleway，thenfellflat，andutteredthecryofajackal，withstartlingprecision。Backwentthesheeptohiscomradesposthaste，andTimeffectedasomersaultandachuckle。
\"Youareacleverboy，\"saidPhoebe。\"Sothatishowyoumanagethem。\"
\"Datoneway，missy，\"saidTim，notcaringtorevealallhisresourcesatonce。
ThenPhoeberodeon，andshowedChristophertheostrichpan。Itwasalargebasin，aformthesoiloftentakesintheseparts；andinitstruttedseveralfull-grownostrichesandtheiryoung，bredonthepremises。Therewasalittledamofwater，andplentyoffoodabout。TheywereherdedbyaKafirinfantofaboutsix，black，glossy，fat，andclean，beinginthewatersixtimesaday。
Sometimesoneoftheolderbirdswouldshowaninclinationtostrayoutofthepan。Thentheinfantrolledafterher，andtappedherankleswithawand。Sheinstantlycameback，butwithoutanylossofdignity，forshestruttedwithhernoseintheair，affectingcompletelytoignoretheinferiorlittleanimal，thatwasneverthelesscontrollinghermovements。\"There\'safarce，\"saidPhoebe。\"Butyouwouldnotbelievethemoneytheycostme，northemoneytheybringmein。Grainwillnotsellhereforaquarteritsvalue:andwecan\'taffordtosendittoCapeTown，twentydaysandback；butfinery，thatsellseverywhere。Igathersixtypoundstheyearoffthosepoorfowls\'backs——clearprofit。\"
Sheshowedhimthegranary，andtoldhimtherewasn\'tsuchanotherinAfrica。ThisfarmhadbelongedtooneoftheoldDutchsettlers，andthatbreedhadbeengoingdownthismanyayear。
\"Yousee，sir，DickandIbeingEnglish，andnotdownrightinwantofmoney，wecan\'tbringourselvestosellgraintothemiddlemenfornothing，sowestoreit，hopingforbettertimes，thatmaybewillnevercome。NowI\'llshowyouhowthedamismade。\"
Theyinspectedthedamallround。\"Thisisourbestfriendofall，\"saidshe。\"Withoutthisthesunwouldturnusalltotinder，——crops，flowers，beasts，andfolk。\"
\"Oh，indeed，\"saidStaines。\"Thenitisapityyouhavenotbuiltitmorescientifically。Imusthavealookatthis。\"
\"Aydo，sir，andadviseusifyouseeanythingwrong。Buthark!itismilkingtime。Comeandseethat。\"Sosheledthewaytosomesheds，andtheretheyfoundseveralcowsbeingmilked，eachbyalittlecalfandalittleHottentotatthesametime，andbothfightingandjostlingeachotherfortheudder。Nowandthenayoungcow，unusedtoincongruoustwins，wouldkickimpatientlyatbothanimalsandscatterthem。
\"Thatistheirway，\"saidPhoebe:\"theyhavegotitintotheirsillyHottentotheadsaskyewon\'tyieldtheirmilkifthecalfistakenaway；anditisnousearguingwith\'em；theywillhavetheirownway；buttheyareverytrustyandhonest，poorthings。Wesoonfoundthatout。Whenwecameherefirstitwasinahiredwagon，andHottentotdrivers:sowhenwecametosettleImadereadyforabitofawrangle。ButmymaidSophy，thatisnursenow，andagreatdespiserofheathens，shesays，\'Don\'tyoutrouble；themnastyignorantblacksneverchargesmorethantheirdue。\'\'I
forgive\'em，\'saysI；\'Iwishallwhitefolkwasasnice。\'
However，Ididgivethematrifleover，forluck:andthentheygottogetherandchatteredsomethingnearthedoor，handinhand。\'La，Sophy，\'saysI，\'whatisupnow?\'Saysshe，\'Theyareblessingofus。Thingsiscometoaprettypass，forignorantMuslinmenheathentobeblessingChristianfolk。\'\'Well，\'saysI，\'itwon\'thurtusany。\'\'Idon\'tknow，\'saysshe。\'Idon\'twantthedevilprayedoverme。\'Soshecockedthatlongnoseofhersandfolloweditinadoors。\"
Bythistimetheywerenearthehouse，andPhoebewasobligedtocometoherpostscript，forthesakeofwhich，believeme，shehadutteredeverysyllableofthisvariedchat。\"Well，sir，\"saidshe，affectingtoproceedwithoutanyconsiderablechangeoftopic，\"andhowdoyoufindyourself?Haveyoudiscoveredthepast?\"
\"Ihave，madam。Iremembereveryleadingincidentofmylife。\"
\"Andhasitmadeyouhappier?\"saidPhoebesoftly。
\"No，\"saidChristophergravely。\"Memoryhasbroughtmemisery。\"
\"Ifearedasmuch；foryouhavelostyourfinecolor，andyoureyesarehollow，andlinesonyourpoorbrowthatwerenottherebefore。
Areyounotsorryyouhavediscoveredthepast?\"
\"No，Mrs。Falcon。Givemethesovereigngiftofreason，withallthetortureitcaninflict。IthankGodforreturningmemory，evenwiththemiseryitbrings。\"
Phoebewassilentalongtime:thenshesaidinalow，gentlevoice，andwiththeindirectnessofatrulyfemininenature，\"I
haveplentyofwriting-paperinthehouse；andthepostgoessouthto-morrow，suchas\'tis。\"
Christopherstruggledwithhismisery，andtrembled。
Hewassilentalongtime。Thenhesaid，\"No。ItisherinterestthatIshouldbedead。\"
\"Well，but，sir——takeathought。\"
\"Notawordmore，Iimploreyou。Iamthemostmiserablemanthateverbreathed。\"Ashespoke，twobittertearsforcedtheirway。
Phoebecastalookofpityonhim，andsaidnomore；butsheshookherhead。Herplaincommonsenserevolted。
However，itdidnotfollowhewouldbeinthesamemindnextweek:
soshewasinexcellentspiritsatherprotege\'srecovery，andveryproudofhercure，andcelebratedtheeventwitharoaringsupper，includinganEnglishham，andabottleofportwine；and，tentoone，thatwasEnglishtoo。
DickDalelookedalittleincredulous，buthedidnotsparethehamanythemoreforthat。
Aftersupper，inapauseofconversation，StainesturnedtoDick，andsaid，ratherabruptly，\"Supposethatdamofyoursweretoburstandemptyitscontents，woulditnotbeagreatmisfortunetoyou?\"
\"Misfortune，sir!Don\'ttalkofit。Why，itwouldruinus，beastandbody。\"
\"Well，itwillburst，ifitisnotlookedto。\"
\"Dale\'sKloofdamburst!thebiggestandstrongestforahundredmilesround。\"
\"Youdeceiveyourself。Itisnotscientificallybuilt，tobegin，andthereisacauseatworkthatwillinfalliblyburstit，ifnotlookedtointime。\"
\"Andwhatisthat，sir?\"
\"Thedamisfullofcrabs。\"
\"So\'tis；butwhatofthem?\"
\"Idetectedtwoofthemthathadperforatedthedykefromthewetsidetothedry，andwaterwastricklingthroughthechanneltheyhadmade。Now，formetocatchtwothathadcomerightthrough，theremustbeagreatmanyatworkhoneycombingyourdyke；thosechannels，oncemade，willbeenlargedbythepermeatingwater，andamerecupfulofwaterforcedintoadykebythegreatpressureofaheavycolumnhasanexpansivepowerquiteoutofproportiontothequantityforcedin。Colossaldykeshavebeenburstinthiswaywithdisastrouseffects。Indeed，itisonlyaquestionoftime，andIwouldnotguaranteeyourdyketwelvehours。Itisfull，too，withtheheavyrains。\"
\"Here\'sago!\"saidDick，turningpale。\"Well，ifitistoburst，itmust。\"
\"Whyso?Youcanmakeitsafeinafewhours。Youhavegotaclumsycontrivanceforlettingofftheexcessofwater:letusgoandrelievethedamatonceoftwofeetofwater。Thatwillmakeitsafeforadayortwo，andto-morrowwewillpuddleitafresh，anddemolishthosebusyexcavators。\"
Hespokewithsuchauthorityandearnestness，thattheyallgotupfromtable；ahornwasblownthatsoonbroughttheHottentots，andtheyallproceededtothedam。Withinfinitedifficultytheyopenedthewastesluice，loweredthewatertwofeet，andsodrenchedthearidsoilthatinforty-eighthoursflowersunknownsprangup。
Nextmorning，underthedoctor\'sorders，alltheblackmenandboysweredivingwithlumpsofstiffclayandpuddlingtheendangeredwallwithathickwallofit。Thistookallthepeoplethewholeday。
Nextdaytheclaywallwascarriedtwofeethigher，andthenthedoctormadethemworkontheothersideandbuttressthedykewithsupportssoenormousasseemedextravaganttoDickandPhoebe；but，afterall，itwasaswelltobeonthesafeside，theythought:andsoontheyweresureofit，forthewholeworkwashardlyfinishedwhenthenewscameinthatthedykeofaneighboringBoer，tenmilesoff，hadexplodedlikeacannon，andemptieditselfinfiveminutes，drowningthefarm-yardandfloatingthefurniture，butleavingthemalltoperishofdrought；andindeedtheBoer\'scartcameeveryday，withemptybarrels，forsometime，tobegwateroftheDales。Ucatellaponderedallthis，andsaidherdoctorchildwaswise。
Thisbriefexcitementover，Staineswentbacktohisowngloomythoughts，andtheyscarcelysawhim，exceptatsupper-time。
Oneeveninghesurprisedthemallbyaskingiftheywouldaddtoalltheirkindnessbylendinghimahorse，andaspade，andafewpoundstogotothediamondfields。
DickDalelookedathissister。Shesaid，\"Wehadratherlendthemyoutogohomewith，sir，ifyoumustleaveus；but，dearheart，I
washalfinhopes——DickandIweretalkingitoveronlyyesterday——
thatyouwouldgopartnerslikewithus；eversinceyousavedthedam。\"
\"Ihavetoolittletoofferforthat，Mrs。Falcon；and，besides，I
amdrivenintoacorner。Imustmakemoneyquickly，ornotatall:
thediamondsareonlythreehundredmilesoff:forheaven\'ssake，letmetrymyluck。\"
Theytriedtodissuadehim，andtoldhimnotoneinfiftydidanygoodatit。
\"Ay，butIshall，\"saidhe。\"Greatbadluckisfollowedbygreatgoodluck，andIfeelmyturniscome。NotthatIrelyonluck。
Anaccidentdirectedmyattentiontothediamondafewyearsago，andIreadanumberofprimeworksuponthesubjectthattoldmeofthingsnotknowntotheminers。Itisclear，fromtheCapejournals，thattheyarelookingfordiamondsintheriveronly。
Now，Iamsurethatisamistake。Diamonds，likegold，havetheirmatrix，anditiscomparativelyfewgemsthatgetwashedintotheriver。IamconfidentthatIshallfindthevolcanicmatrix，andperhapsmakemyfortuneinaweekortwo。\"
Whenthedialoguetookthisturn，ReginaldFalcon\'scheekbegantoflush，andhiseyestoglitter。
Christophercontinued:\"Youwhohavebefriendedmesowillnotturnback，Iamsure，whenIhavesuchachancebeforeme；andasforthesmallsumofmoneyIshallrequire，Iwillrepayyousomeday，evenif\"——
\"La，sir，don\'ttalkso。Ifyouputitthatway，why，thebesthorsewehave，andfiftypoundsingoodEnglishgold，theyareatyourserviceto-morrow。\"
\"Andpickandspadetoboot，\"saidDick，\"andadoublerifle，fortherearelions，andLordknowswhat，betweenthisandtheVaalriver。\"
\"Godblessyouboth!\"saidChristopher。\"Iwillstartto-morrow。\"
\"AndI\'llgowithyou，\"saidReginaldFalcon。
CHAPTERXX。
\"Heavenforbid!\"saidPhoebe。\"No，mydear，nomorediamondsforus。Weneverhadbutone，anditbroughtustrouble。\"
\"Nonsense，Phoebe，\"repliedFalcon；\"itwasnotthediamond\'sfault。YouknowIhaveoftenwantedtogothere，butyouobjected。
Yousaidyouwereafraidsomeevilwouldbefallme。ButnowSolomonhimselfisgoingtothemines，letushavenomoreofthatnonsense。Wewilltakeourriflesandourpistols。\"
\"There——there——riflesandpistols，\"criedPhoebe；\"thatshows。\"
\"Andwewillbethereinaweek；stayamonth，andhomewithourpocketsfullofdiamonds。\"
\"Andfindmedeadofabrokenheart。\"
\"Brokenfiddlestick!Wehavebeenpartedlongerthanthat，andyethereweareallright。\"
\"Ay，butthepitcherthatgoestoooftentothewellgetsbrokeatlast。No，Reginald，nowIhavetastedthreeyears\'happinessandpeaceofmind，IcannotgothroughwhatIusedinEngland。Oh，doctor!haveyouthehearttopartmanandwife，thathaveneverbeenadayfromeachotheralltheseyears?\"
\"Mrs。Falcon，IwouldnotdoitforallthediamondsinBrazil。
No，Mr。Falcon，IneedhardlysayhowcharmedIshouldbetohaveyourcompany:butthatisapleasureIshallcertainlydenymyself，afterwhatyourgoodwifehassaid。Iowehertoomuchtocauseherasinglepang。\"
\"Doctor，\"saidthecharmingReginald，\"youareagentlemanandsidewiththelady。Quiteright。Itaddstomyesteem，ifpossible。
Makeyourmindeasy；Iwillgoalone。Iamnotafarmer。Iamdeadsickofthismonotonouslife；and，sinceIamcompelledtospeakmymind，alittleashamed，asagentleman，oflivingonmywifeandherbrother，anddoingnothingformyself。SoIshallgototheVaalriver，andseealittlelife；herethere\'snothingbutvegetation——andnotmuchofthat。Notawordmore，Phoebe，ifyouplease。Iamagood，easy，affectionatehusband，butIamaman，andnotachildtobetiedtoawoman\'sapron-strings，howevermuchImayloveandrespecther。\"
Dickputinhisword:\"Sinceyouaresoindependent，youcanWALK
totheVaalriver。Ican\'tspareacoupleofhorses。\"
Thishitthesybaritehard，andhecastabitterglanceofhatredathisbrother-in-law，andfellintoamoodysilence。
ButwhenhegotPhoebetohimself，hedescantedonherselfishness，Dick\'srudeness，andhisownwoundeddignity，tillhemadeherquiteanxiousheshouldhavehisownway。ShecametoStaines，withredeyes，andsaid，\"Tellme，doctor，willtherebeanywomenupthere——totakecareofyou?\"
\"Notapetticoatintheplace，Ibelieve。Itisaveryroughlife；
andhowFalconcouldthinkofleavingyouandsweetlittleTommy，andthislifeofhealth，andpeace，andcomfort——\"
\"YetYOUdoleaveus，sir。\"
\"Iamthemostunfortunatemanupontheearth；Falconisoneofthehappiest。WouldIleavewifeandchildtogothere?Ahme!IamdeadtothoseIlove。Thisismyonechanceofseeingmydarlingagainformanyalongyearperhaps。Oh，ImustnotspeakofHER——
itunmansme。Mygood，kindfriend，I\'lltellyouwhattodo。
Whenweareallatsupper，letahorsebesaddledandleftintheyardforme。I\'llbidyouallgood-night，andI\'llputfiftymilesbetweenusbeforemorning。EventhenHEneednotbetoldIamgone；hewillnotfollowme。\"
\"Youareverygood，sir，\"saidPhoebe；\"butno。Toomuchhasbeensaid。Ican\'thavehimhumbledbymybrother，noranyone。HesaysIamselfish。PerhapsIam；thoughIneverwascalledso。I
can\'tbearheshouldthinkmeselfish。HeWILLgo，andsoletushavenoillbloodaboutit。Sinceheistogo，ofcourseI\'dmuchlieverheshouldgowithyouthanbyhimself。Youaresuretherearenowomenupthere——totakecareof——you——both?Youmustbepurse-bearer，sir，andlooktoeverypenny。Heistoogenerouswhenhehasgotmoneytospend。\"
Inshort，Reginaldhadplayedsouponherheart，thatshenowurgedthejointexpedition，onlysheaskedadelayofadayortwotoequipthem，andsteelherselftotheseparation。
Stainesdidnotsharethosevaguefearsthatoverpoweredthewife，whosebitterexperienceswereunknowntohim；buthefeltuncomfortableathercondition——fornowshewasoftenintears——andhesaidallhecouldtocomforther；andhealsoadvisedherhowtoprofitbytheseterriblediamonds，inherway。Hepointedouttoherthatherfarmlayrightintheroadtothediamonds，yetthetrafficallshunnedher，passingtwentymilestothewestward。
Saidhe，\"Youshouldprofitbyallyourresources。Youhavewood，agreatrarityinAfrica；orderaportableforge；runupabuildingwhereminerscansleep，anotherwheretheycanfeed；thegrainyouhavesowiselyrefusedtosell，grinditintoflour。\"
\"Dearheart!why，there\'sneitherwindnorwatertoturnamill。\"
\"Butthereareoxen。I\'llshowyouhowtomakeanox-mill。SendyourCapecartintoCapeTownforironlathes，forcoffeeandtea，andgroceriesbythehundredweight。Themomentyouareready——forsuccessdependsontheorderinwhichweact——thenpreparegreatboards，andplantthemtwentymilessouth。Writeorpaintonthem，verylarge，\'ThenearestwaytotheDiamondMines，throughDale\'sKloof，whereisexcellentaccommodationformanandbeast。Tea，coffee，home-madebread，freshbutter，etc。，etc。\'Dothis，andyouwillsoonleaveoffdecryingdiamonds。Thisisthesurewaytocointhem。Imyselftakethedoubtfulway；butIcan\'thelpit。I
amadeadman，andswiftgoodfortunewillgivemelife。Youcanaffordtogotheslowerroadandthesurer。\"
Thenhedrewheramodelofanox-mill，andofaminer\'sdormitory，thepartitionssixfeetsixapart，sothattheseverypartitionsformedthebedstead，thebed-sackingbeinghookedtotheuprights。
Hedrewhismodelfortwentybedrooms。
Theportableforgeandtheox-millpleasedDickDalemost，butthepartitionedbedsteadscharmedPhoebe。Shesaid，\"Oh，doctor，howcanoneman\'sheadholdsomanythings?Ifthere\'samanonearthIcantrustmyhusbandwith，\'tisyou。Butifthingsgocrossupthere，promisemeyouwillcomebackatonceandcastinyourlotwithus。Wehavegotmoneyandstock，andyouhavegotheadpiece；
wemightdoverywelltogether。Indeed，indeedwemight。Promiseme。Oh，do，please，promiseme!\"
\"Ipromiseyou。\"
Andonthisunderstanding，StainesandFalconwereequippedwithrifles，pickaxe，shovels，waterproofs，andfullsaddle-bags，andstarted，withmanyshakingsofthehand，andmanytearsfromPhoebe，forthediamondwashings。
CHAPTERXXI。
Phoebe\'stearsatpartingmadeStainesfeeluncomfortable，andhesaidso。
\"Pooh，pooh!\"saidFalcon，\"cryingfornothingdoesawomangood。\"
Christopherstaredathim。
Falcon\'sspiritsroseastheyproceeded。Hewaslikeaboyletloosefromschool。Hisfluencyandcharmofmannerserved，however，tocheerasingularlydrearyjourney。
Thetravellerssoonenteredonavastandforbiddingregion，thatweariedtheeye；attheirfeetadull，rustycarpetofdriedgrassandwildcamomile，withpale-redsandpeepingthroughtheburntandscantyherbage。Onthelowmounds，thatlookedlikeheapsofsiftedashes，strugglednowandthenintosicklinessaragged，twistedshrub。Therewereflowerstoo，butsosparse，thattheysparkledvainlyinthecolorlesswaste，whichstretchedtothehorizon。Thefarmhousesweretwentymilesapart，andnineoutoftenofthemwerenewonesbuiltbytheBoerssincetheydegeneratedintowhitesavages:merehuts，withdomedkitchensbehindthem。Inthedwelling-housethewholefamilypiggedtogether，withrawfleshdryingontherafters，stinkingskinsinacorner，parasiticalverminofallsortsblackeningthefloor，andparticularlyasmall，biting，andodoriferoustortoise，comparedwithwhichtheinsectaLondonwasherwomanbringsintoyourhouseinherbasket，isastrokewithafeather——andallthiswithouttheexcuseofpenury；
formanyofthesewereshepherdkings，shearedfourthousandfleecesayear，andownedahundredhorsesandhornedcattle。
TheseBoersarecompelled，byunwrittenlaw，toreceivetravellersandwatertheircattle；butourtravellers，afteroneortwoexperiences，ceasedtotroublethem；for，addedtothedirt，themenweresullen，thewomenmoody，silent，brainless；thewholereceptionchurlish。Stainesdetectedinthemanuneasyconsciousnessthattheyhaddescended，inmorewaysthanone，fromacivilizedrace；andthesuperiorbearingofaEuropeanseemedtoremindthemwhattheyhadbeen，andmighthavebeen，andwerenot；
so，afteranattemptortwo，ouradventurersavoidedtheBoers，andtriedtheKafirs。Theyfoundthesavagessociallysuperior，thoughtheirmoralcharacterdoesnotrankhigh。
TheKafircabinstheyenteredwerecaves，lightedonlybythedoor，butdeliciouslycool，andquiteclean；thefloorsofpuddledclayorants\'nests，andveryclean。Onenteringthesecoolretreats，thefliesthathadtormentedthemshirkedthecoolgrot，andbuzzedofftothenearestfarmtobattenoncongenialfoulness。Onthefat，round，glossybabies，notaspeckofdirt，whereasthelittleBoerswerecakesthereof。TheKafirwouldmeetthematthedoor，hiscleanblackfaceallsmilesandwelcome。Thewomenandgrowngirlswouldflingaspotlesshandkerchiefovertheirshouldersinamoment，anddisplaytheirsnowyteeth，inunaffectedjoyatsightofanEnglishman。
Atoneofthesehuts，oneevening，theymetwithsomethingSt。Paulranksabovecleanlinesseven，viz。，Christianity。AneighboringlionhadjusteatenaHottentotfautedemieux；andthesegoodKafirswantedtheEuropeansnottogoonatnightandbeeatenfordessert。ButtheycouldnotspeakawordofEnglish，andpantomimicexpressionexistsintheoryalone。Invainthewomenheldourtravellersbythecoat-tails，andpointedtoadistantwood。InvainKafirperewentonall-foursandgrowledsore。Butatlastasavageyouthrantothekitchen——fortheynevercookinthehouse——andcamebackwithabrand，andsketched，onthewallofthehut，alionwithamanedowntotheground，andasaucereye，notloving。Thecreature\'spawrestedonahatandcoatandanotherfragmentortwoofaEuropean。Therestwasfore-
shortened，orelseeaten。
Thepicturecompleted，thefemaleslooked，approved，andraisedadismalhowl。
\"Alionontheroad，\"saidChristophergravely。
ThentheundauntedFalconseizedthecharcoal，anddrewanEnglishmaninatheatricalattitude，leftfootwellforward，firingagun，andalionrollingheadoverheelslikeabuckrabbit，andbloodsquirtingoutofaholeinhisperforatedcarcass。
Thesavagessaw，andexulted。Theyweresoofftheirguardastoconfoundrepresentationwithfact；theydancedroundthewhitewarrior，andlaunchedhimtovictory。
\"Aha!\"saidFalcon，\"Itooktheshineoutoftheirlion，didn\'tI?\"
\"Youdid:andoncetherewasasculptorwhoshowedalionhismarblegroup，amantramplingalion，extractinghistongue，andsoon；butreportsaysitDIDNOTCONVINCETHELION。\"
\"Why，no；alionisnotanass。But，foryourcomfort，thereARE
nolionsinthispartoftheworld。Theyaremyths。TherewerelionsinAfrica。ButnowtheyareallattheZoo。AndIwishI
wastheretoo。\"
\"Inwhatcharacter——ofadiscontentedanimal——witheveryblessing?
Theywouldnottakeyouin；toocommoninEngland。Hallo!thisissomethingnew。Whatlotsofbushes!Weshouldnothavemuchchancewithalionhere。\"
\"ThereAREnolions:itisnottheZoo，\"saidFalcon；buthespurredonfaster。
Thecountry，however，didnotchangeitsfeature；bushesandlittleacaciasprevailed，andpresentlydarkformsbegantoglideacrossatintervals。
Thetravellersheldtheirbreath，andpushedon；butatlasttheirhorsesflagged；sotheythoughtitbesttostopandlightafireandstandupontheirguard。
Theydidso，andFalconsatwithhisriflecocked，whileStainesboiledcoffee，andtheydrankit，andaftertwohours\'halt，pushedon；andatlastthebushesgotmorescattered，andtheywereonthedrearyplainagain。Falcondrewtherein，withasighofrelief，andtheywalkedtheirhorsessidebyside。
\"Well，whathasbecomeofthelions?\"saidFalconjauntily。Heturnedinhissaddle，andsawalargeanimalstealingbehindthemwithitsbellytotheveryearth，andeyeshotcoals；heutteredaneldrichscreech，firedbothbarrels，withnomoreaimthanababy，andspurredaway，yellinglikeademon。Theanimalfledanotherway，inequaltrepidationatthosetonguesofflameandloudreports，andChristopher\'shorserearedandplunged，anddepositedhimpromptlyonthesward；butheheldthebridle，mountedagain，androdeafterhiscompanion。Asternchaseisalongchase；andforthatorsomeotherreasonhecouldnevercatchhimagaintillsunrise。Beingcaught，heignoredthelioness，withcoolhauteur:
hesaidhehadriddenontofindcomfortablequarters:andcravedthanks。
Thiswasliterallytheonlyincidentworthrecordingthatthecompanionsmetwithinthreehundredmiles。
Onthesixthdayout，towardsafternoon，theyfoundbyinquiringtheywerenearthediamondwashings，andtheshortroutewaspointedoutbyanexceptionallycivilBoer。
ButChristopher\'seyehadlighteduponasortofchainofknolls，orlittleroundhills，devoidofvegetation，andhetoldFalconhewouldliketoinspectthese，beforegoingfarther。
\"Oh，\"saidtheBoer，\"theyarenotonmyfarm，thankgoodness!theyareonmycousinBulteel\'s；\"andhepointedtoalargewhitehouseaboutfourmilesdistant，andquiteofftheroad。Nevertheless，Stainesinsistedongoingtoit。Butfirsttheymadeuptooneoftheseknolls，andexaminedit；itwasaboutthirtyfeethigh，andnotavestigeofherbageonit；thesurfacewascomposedofsandandoflumpsofgraylimestoneveryhard，diversifiedwithlotsofquartz，mica，andotheroldformations。
Stainesgottothetopofitwithsomedifficulty，andexaminedthesurfaceallover。Hecamedownagain，andsaid，\"Alltheselittlehillsmarkhotvolcanicaction——why，theyarelikeboilingearth-
bubbles——whichistheverything，undercertainconditions，toturncarbonateoflimeintodiamonds。Nowhereisplentyoflimestoneunnaturallyhard；andbeinginadiamondcountry，Icanfancynoplacemorelikelytobethematrixthantheseearth-bubbles。Letustetherthehorses，anduseourshovels。\"
Theydidso；andfoundoneortwocommoncrystals，andsomejasper，andapieceofchalcedonyallinlittlebubbles，butnodiamond。
Falconsaiditwaswastingtime。
Justthentheproprietor，agigantic，pastycolonist，cameup，withhispipe，andstoodcalmlylookingon。Stainescamedown，andmadeasortofapology。Bulteelsmiledquietly，andaskedwhatharmtheycoulddohim，rakingthatrubbish。\"Rakeitallavay，minevriends，\"saidhe:\"veshallthankyoumoch。\"
Hetheninvitedthemlanguidlytohishouse。Theywentwithhim，andashevolunteerednomoreremarks，theyquestionedhim，andlearnedhisfatherhadbeenaHollander，andsohadhisvrow\'s。
Thisaccountedforthesizeandcomparativecleanlinessofhisplace。Itwasstuccoedwiththelimeofthecountryoutside，andwasfourtimesaslargeasthemiserablefarmhousesofthedegenerateBoers。Forallthis，thestreetdooropenedontheprincipalroom，andthatroomwaskitchenandparlor，onlyverylargeandwholesome。\"But，Lord，\"aspoordearPepysusedtoblurtout——\"toseehowsomefolkunderstandcleanliness!\"Thefloorwasmadeofpowderedants\'nests，andsmearedwithfreshcow-dungeveryday。YetthesepeoplewerethecleanestBoersinthecolony。
Thevrowmetthem，withasnow-whitecollarandcuffsofHamburghlinen，andthebratshadpastyfacesroundaspumpkins，butshonewithsoap。Thevrowwasalsopasty-faced，butgentle，andwelcomedthemwithasmile，languid，butunequivocal。
TheHottentotstooktheirhorses，asamatterofcourse。Theirgunswereputinacorner。Acleanclothwasspread，andtheysawtheyweretosupandsleepthere，thoughthewordsofinvitationwereneverspoken。
Atsupper，sun-driedflesh，cabbage，andasavorydishthetravellersreturnedtowithgusto。Stainesaskedwhatitwas:thevrowtoldhim——locusts。Theyhadstrippedhergarden，andfilledherveryrooms，andfalleninheapsunderherwalls；soshehadpressedthem，bythemillion，intocakes，hadsaltedthemlightly，andstoredthem，andtheywereexcellent，baked。
Aftersupper，theaccomplishedReginald，observingawireguitar，tuneditwithsomedifficulty，andsotwangedit，andsangdittiestoit，thattheflabbygiant\'spastyfaceworealookofdreamycontentoverhiseverlastingpipe；andinthemorning，afterasilentbreakfast，hesaid，\"Minevriends，stayhereayearortwo，andrakeinminerubbish。Venyouaretired，herearespringbokandantelopes，andyoucanshootmityourrifles，andvevilcookthem，andyoushallzinguszongsofVaderland。\"
Theythankedhimheartily，andsaidtheywouldstayafewdays，atallevents。
TheplacidBoerwenta-farming；andthepairshoulderedtheirpickandshovel，andworkedontheirheapallday，andfoundanumberofprettystones，butnodiamond。
\"Come，\"saidFalcon，\"wemustgototheriver；\"andStainesacquiesced。\"Ibowtoexperience，\"saidhe。
AtthethresholdtheyfoundtwoofthelittleBulteels，playingwithpiecesofquartz，crystal，etc。，onthedoor-stone。OneofthesestonescaughtStaines\'seyedirectly。Itsparkledinadifferentwayfromtheothers:heexaminedit:itwasthesizeofawhiteharicotbean，andonesideofitpolishedbyfriction。Helookedatit，andlooked，andsawthatitrefractedthelight。Hefeltconvinceditwasadiamond。
\"Givetheboyapennyforit，\"saidtheingeniousFalcon，onreceivingtheinformation。
\"Oh!\"saidStaines。\"Takeadvantageofachild?\"
Heborroweditoftheboy，andlaiditonthetable，aftersupper。
\"Sir，\"saidhe，\"thisiswhatwewererakinginyourkopjesfor，andcouldnotfindit。ItbelongstolittleHans。Willyousellitus?Wearenotexperts，butwethinkitmaybeadiamond。Wewillrisktenpoundsonit。\"
\"Tenpounds!\"saidthefarmer。\"Nay，werobnottravellers，minevriend。\"
\"Butifitisadiamond，itisworthahundred。Seehowitgainsfireinthedusk。\"