Theymadeafinemarchinthecool，untilsomeslightmistsgathered，andthentheyhaltedandbreakfastednearasilverykloof，andwateredthecattle。Whilethusemployed，suddenlyagoldentingeseemedtofalllikealashonthevaporsofnight；
theyscuddedawaydirectly，asjackalsbeforethelion；thestarspaled，andwithoneincrediblebound，themightysunleapedintothehorizon，androseintothesky。Inamomentallthelesserlampsofheavenwereout，thoughlatesoglorious，andtherewasnothingbutonevastvaultedturquoise，andagreatflamingtopazmountingwitheternalardortoitscentre。
ThisdidnotescapeChristopher。\"Whatisthis?\"saidhe。\"Notwilight。Thetropics!\"Hemanagedtodigthatwordoutofthepastinamoment。
Atteno\'clockthesunwassohotthattheyhalted，andlettheoxenloosetillsun-down。Thentheybegantoclimbthemountains。
Thewaywassteepandrugged；indeed，soroughinplaces，thatthecattlehadtojumpovertheholes，andasthewagoncouldnotjumpsocleverly，itjoltedappallingly，andmanyascreamissuedforth。
Nearthesummit，whenthepoorbeastsweredeadbeat，theygotintocloudsandstorms，andthewindrushedhowlingatthemthroughthenarrowpasswithsuchfuryitflattenedthehorses\'ears，andbadefairtosweepthewholecavalcadetotheplainsbelow。
ChristopherandDickwalkedclosebehind，undertheleeofthewagon。ChristophersaidinDick\'sear，\"D\'yehearthat?Timetoreeftopsails，captain。\"
\"ItistimetodoSOMETHING，\"saidDick。Hetookadvantageofajuttingrock，drewthewagonhalfbehinditandacrosstheroad，proppedthewheelswithstones，andtheyallhuddledtoleeward，manandbeastindiscriminately。
\"Ah!\"saidChristopher，approvingly；\"wearelyingto:avery——
proper——course。\"
Theyhuddledandshiveredthreehours，andthenthesunleapedintothesky，andlo!atransformationscene。Thecoldcloudswerefirstrosyfleeces，thengoldenones，thengold-dust，thengone；
therainwasbigdiamonds，thencrystalsparks，thengone；therocksandthebushessparkledwithgem-likedrops，andshoneandsmiled。
Theshiveringpartybustled，andtoastedthepotentluminaryinhotcoffee；forPhoebe\'swagonhadastoveandchimney；andthentheyyokedtheirmiscellaneouscattleagain，andbreastedthehill。
Withmanyajump，andbump，andjolt，andscreamfrominside，theyreachedthesummit，andlookeddownonavastslope，floweringbutarid，aregionofgaudysterility。
Thedescentwasmoretremendousthantheascent，andPhoebegotout，andtoldChristophershewouldlievercrosstheoceantwicethanthisdreadfulmountainonce。
TheHottentotwiththereinswasnowbentlikeabowallthetime，keepingthecattlefromflowingdiverseoverprecipices，andtheKafirwithhiskambokwashere，andthere，andeverywhere，hiswhipflickinglikealancet，andcrackinglikeahorse-pistol，andthepairviedlikeApolloandPan，notwhichcouldsingsweetest，butswearloudest。Havingtheloftyhillforsomehoursbetweenthemandthesun，theybumped，andjolted，andstuckinmud-holes，andfloggedandsworethecattleoutofthemagain，tillatlasttheygottothebottom，whereranaturbidklooforstream。Itwasfordable，buttherecentrainshadlickedawaytheslope；sotheexistingbankwastwofeetabovethestream。Littlereckedthedemondriversortheparchedcattle；intheyplungedpromiscuously，withafloplikethunder，followedbyanawfulsplashing。Thewagonstuckfastinthemud，thehorsestiedthemselvesinaknot，androlledaboutinthestream，andtheoxendrankimperturbably。
\"Oh，thesalt!thesalt!\"screamedPhoebe，andtherocksre-echoedherlamentations。
Thewagonwasinextricable，thecattledoneup，thesavageslazy，sotheystayedforseveralhours。Christopherbotanized，butnotalone。PhoebedrewUcatellaapart，andexplainedtoherthatwhenamanisalittlewronginthehead，itmakesachildofhim:\"So，\"
saidshe，\"youmustthinkheisyourchild，andneverlethimoutofyoursight。\"
\"Allright，\"saidthesableJuno，whospokeEnglishridiculouslywell，andrappedoutidioms；especially\"Comeon，\"and\"Allright。\"
Aboutdusk，whatthedrivershadforeseen，thoughtheyhadnotthesensetoexplainit，tookplace；thekloofdwindledtoameregutter，andthewagonstuckhighanddry。PhoebewavedherhandkerchieftoUcatella。Ucatella，whohaddoggedChristopheraboutfourhourswithoutaword，nowtookhishand，andsaid，\"Mychild，missywantsus；comeon；\"andsoledhimunresistingly。
Thedrivers，flogginglikedevils，cursingliketroopers，andyellinglikehyenasgonemad，triedtogetthewagonoff；butitwasfastasarock。ThenDickandtheHottentotputtheirshoulderstoonewheel，andtriedtopriseitup，whiletheKafirENCOURAGEDthecattlewithhisthong。Observingthis，Christopherwentin，withhissablecustodianathisheels，andheavedattheotherembeddedwheel。Thewagonwaslifteddirectly，sothatthecattletuggeditout，andtheygotclear。Onexamination，thesalthadjustescaped。
SaysUcatellatoPhoebe，alittleostentatiously，\"Mychildisstronganduseful；makelittlemissyagoodslave。\"
\"Aslave!Heavenforbid!\"saidPhoebe。\"He\'llbeafathertousall，oncehegetshisheadback；andIdothinkitiscoming——butveryslow。\"
ThenextthreedaysofferedtheordinaryincidentsofAfricantravel，butnothingthatoperatedmuchonChristopher\'smind，whichisthetruepointofthisnarrative；andastherearemanyadmirablebooksofAfricantravel，itisthemoreproperIshouldconfinemyselftowhatmaybecalledtherelevantincidentsofthejourney。
OnthesixthdayfromCapeTown，theycameupwithalargewagonstuckinamud-hole。TherewasquiteapartyofBoers，Hottentots，Kafirs，roundit，armedwithwhips，shamboks，andoaths，lashingandcursingwithoutintermission，oranygoodeffect；andtherewerethewretchedbeastsstraininginvainattheirchokingyokes，moaningwithanguish，tremblingwithterror，theirpoormildeyesdilatedwithagonyandfear，andoften，whentheblowsofthecruelshambokscutopentheirbleedingflesh，theybellowedtoHeaventheirmiserableandvainprotestagainstthisdevil\'swork。
Thenthepastopeneditsstores，andlentChristopheraword。
\"BARBARIANS!\"heroared，andseizedagiganticKafirbythethroat，justashisshambokdescendedforthehundredthtime。Therewasamightystruggle，asoftwoTitans；dustflewroundthecombatantsinacloud；awhirlingofbigbodies，anddowntheybothwentwithanawfulthud，theSaxonuppermost，byNature\'slaw。
TheKafir\'scompanions，amazedatfirst，begantorolltheireyesanddrawaknifeortwo；butDickranforward，andsaid，\"Don\'thurthim:heiswrongHERE。\"
Thisrepresentationpacifiedthemmorereadilythanonemighthaveexpected。Dickaddedhastily，\"We\'llgetyououtoftheholeOUR
way，andcryquits。\"
Theproposalwasfavorablyreceived，andthenextminuteChristopherandUcatellaatonewheel，andDickandtheHottentotattheother，withnootherhelpthantwopointedironbarsboughtfortheirshepherds，hadeffectedwhatsixteenoxencouldnot。TodothisDickDalehadbaredhisarmtotheshoulder；itwasastalwartlimb，likehissister\'s，andhenowhelditoutallswollenandcorded，andslappeditwithhisotherhand。\"Look\'eehere，youchaps，\"saidhe:\"theworstuseamancanputthattheretoistogocuttingoutapoorbeast\'sheartfornotdoingmorethanhecan。Youaregoodfellows，youKafirs；butIthinkyouhaveswornnevertoputyourshouldertoawheel。But，blessyourpoorsillyhearts，alittlestrengthputonattherightplaceisbetterthanadealatthewrong。\"
\"Youhearthat，youKafirchaps?\"inquiredUcatella，alittlearrogantly——foraKafir。
TheKafirs，whohadstoodquitesilenttoimbibetheseremarks，bowedtheirheadswithallthedignityandpolitenessofRomansenators，Spanishgrandees，etc。；andoneofthepartyrepliedgravely，\"Thewordsofthewhitemanarealwayswise。\"
\"Andhisarmblanked*strong，\"saidChristopher\'slateopponent，fromwhosemind，however，allresentmenthadvanished。
*ItakethisveryusefulexpressionfromadelightfulvolumebyMr。Boyle。
ThusspaketheKafirs；yettothisdayneverhathamanofalltheirtribeputhisshouldertoawheel，sostrongiscustominSouthAfrica；probablyinallAfrica；sinceIrememberSt。Augustinfounditstrongerthanheliked，atCarthage。
UcatellawenttoPhoebe，andsaid，\"Missy，mychildisgoodandbrave。\"
\"Botheryouandyourchild!\"saidpoorPhoebe。\"Tothinkofhisflyingatagiantlikethat，andyoulettingofhim。I\'mallofatremblefromheadtofoot:\"andPhoeberelievedherselfwithacry。
\"Oh，missy!\"saidUcatella。
\"There，nevermindme。Dogoandlookafteryourchild，andkeephimoutofmoremischief。IwishweweresafeatDale\'sKloof，I
do。\"
Ucatellacomplied，andwentbotanizingwithDr。Staines；butthatgentleman，inthecourseofhisscientificresearchesintocamomileflowersandblastedheath，whichwereallthatlovelyregionafforded，suddenlysuccumbedandstretchedouthislimbs，andsaid，sleepily，\"Good-night——U——cat——\"andwasoffintothelandofNod。
Thewagon，which，bytheway，hadpassedthelargerbutslowervehicle，foundhimfastasleep，andUcatellastandingbyhimasordered，motionlessandgrand。
\"Oh，dear!whatnow?\"saidPhoebe:butbeingasensiblewoman，thoughinthehenandchickensline，shesaid，\"\'Tisthefightingandtheexcitement。\'Twilldohimmoregoodthanharm，Ithink:\"
andshehadhimbestowedinthewagon，andneverdisturbedhimnightnorday。Hesleptthirty-sixhoursatastretch；andwhenheawoke，shenoticedaslightchangeinhiseye。Helookedatherwithaninteresthehadnotshownbefore，andsaid，\"Madam，Iknowyou。\"
\"ThankGodforthat，\"saidPhoebe。
\"Youkeptalittleshop，intheotherworld。\"
Phoebeopenedhereyeswithsomelittlealarm。
\"Youunderstand——theworldthatislockedup——forthepresent。\"
\"Well，sir，soIdid；andsoldyoumilkandbutter。Don\'tyoumind?\"
\"No——themilkandbutter——theyarelockedup。\"
Thecountrybecamewilder，thesignsoflifemiserablysparse；
abouteverytwentymilesthefarmhouseorhutofadegenerateBoer，whosechildrenandslavespiggedtogether，andallranjostling，andthemistressscreamedinhershrillDutch，andtheHottentotsallchirpedtogether，andconfusionreignedforwantofmethod:
oftentheywentmiles，andsawnothingbutahutortwo，withanudeHottentoteatingflesh，burntalittle，butnotcooked，atthedoor；andthekloofsbecamedeeperandmoreturbid，andPhoebewasinanagonyabouthersalt，andChristopheradvisedhertobreakitinbiglumps，andhangitallaboutthewagoninsacks；andshedid，andUcatellasaidprofoundly，\"Mychildiswise；\"andtheybegantodrawnearhome，andPhoebetofidget；andshesaidtoChristopher，\"Oh，dear!Ihopetheyareallaliveandwell:onceyouleavehome，youdon\'tknowwhatmayhavehappenedbythenyoucomeback。Onecomfort，I\'vegotSophy:sheisverydependable，andnobeauty，thankmystars。\"
Thatnight，thelasttheyhadtotravel，wascloudy，forawonder，andtheygropedwithlanterns。
Ucatellaandherchildbroughtuptherear。Presentlytherewasalightpatteringbehindthem。Theswift-earedUcatellaclutchedChristopher\'sarm，andturninground，pointedback，witheyeballswhiteandrolling。Therewerefulladozenanimalsfollowingthem，whosebodiesseemedcolorlessasshadows，buttheireyeslittleballsofflaminglime-light。
\"GUN!\"saidChristie，andgavetheKafir\'sarmapinch。Sheflewtothecaravan；hewalkedbackwards，facingthefoe。Thewagonwashalted，andDickranbackwithtwoloadedrifles。InhishastehegaveonetoChristopher，andrepentedatleisure；butChristophertookit，andhandleditlikeanexperiencedperson，andsaid，withdelight，\"VOLUNTEER。\"Butwiththisthecautiousanimalshadvanishedlikebubbles。ButDicktoldChristophertheywouldbesuretocomeback；heorderedUcatellaintothewagon，andtoldhertowarnPhoebenottobefrightenedifgunsshouldbefired。ThissoothingmessagebroughtPhoebe\'swhitefaceoutbetweenthecurtains，andsheimploredthemtogetintothewagon，andnottemptProvidence。
\"NottillIhavegottheeakarossofjackal\'sfur。\"
\"I\'llneverwearit!\"saidPhoebeviolently，todiverthimfromhispurpose。
\"Timewillshow，\"saidDickdryly。\"Thesevarmintareonandofflikeshadows，andascunningasOldNick。Wetwowillwalkonquiteunconcernedlike，andassoonaseverthevarmintareatourheelsyougiveustheoffice；andwe\'llpeppertheirfur——won\'twe，doctor?\"
\"We——will——pepper——theirfur，\"saidChristopher，repeatingwhattohimwasalessonintheancientandvenerableEnglishtongue。
Sotheywalkedonexpectant；andbyandbythefour-footedshadowswithlargelime-lighteyescamestealingon；andPhoebeshrieked，andtheyvanishedbeforethemencoulddrawabeadonthem。
\"Thou\'snouseatthiswork，Pheeb，\"saidDick。\"Shutthyeyes，andletushaveYuke。\"
\"Iss，master:hereIbe。\"
\"Youcanbleatlikealamb；forI\'veheardye。\"
\"Iss，master。Ibleatsbeautiful；\"andsheshowedsnowyteethfromeartoear。
\"Well，then，whenthevarmintareatourheels，drawinthywoollyhead，andbleatlikeayounglamb。Theywon\'tturnfromthat，I
know，thevagabonds。\"
Mattersbeingthusprepared，theysaunteredon；butthejackalswereverywary。Theycamelikeshadows，sodeparted——agreatmanytimes:butatlastbeingre-enforced，theylessenedthedistance，andgotsoclose，thatUcatellawithdrewherhead，andbleatedfaintlyinsidethewagon。Thementurned，levellingtheirrifles，andfoundthetroopwithintwentyyardsofthem。Theywheeleddirectly:butthefourbarrelspouredtheirflame，fourloudreportsstartledthenight，andonejackallaydeadasastone，anotherlimpedbehindtheflyingcrowd，andonelaykicking。Hewassoondespatched，andbothcarcassesflungoverthepatientoxen；andgood-byjackalsfortherestofthatjourney。
Ucatella，withallaKafir\'sloveoffire-arms，clappedherhandswithdelight。\"Mychildshootsloudandstrong，\"saidshe。
\"Ay，ay，\"repliedPhoebe；\"theyareallalike；whereverthere\'smen，lookforquarrellingandfiringoff。Wehadonlytositquietinthewagon。\"
\"Ay。\"saidDick，\"thecattleespecially——foritisthemthevarmintwereafter——andlet\'emeatmyHottentots。\"
Atthispictureofthecattleinsidethewagon，andthejackalssuppingoncoldHottentotalongside，Phoebe，whohadnomorehumorthanacat，butaheartofgold，shutup，andturnedredwithconfusionatherfalseestimateoftherecenttransactioninfur。
Whenthesunrosetheyfoundthemselvesinatractsomewhatlessaridandinhuman；and，atlast，attheriseofagentleslope，theysaw，halfamilebeforethem，alargefarmhousepartlycladwithcreepers，andalittleplotofturf，thefruitofeternalwatering；
item，aflower-bed；item，snow-whitepalings；item，anairofcleanlinessandneatnessscarcelyknowntothosedirtydescendantsofcleanancestors，theBoers。Atsomedistanceaverylargedamglitteredinthesun，andatroopofsnow-whitesheepwerewateringatit。
\"ENGLAND!\"criedChristopher。
\"Ay，sir，\"saidPhoebe；\"asnighasmancanmakeit。\"Butsoonshebegantofret:\"Oh，dear!wherearetheyall?Ifitwasme，I\'dbeatthedoorlookingout。Ah，theregoesYuketorousethemup。\"
\"Come，Pheeb，don\'tyoufidget，\"saidDickkindly。\"Why，thelazylotarescarceoutoftheirbedsbythistime。\"
\"Moreshamefor\'em。Iftheywereawayfromme，andcominghome，I
shouldbeatthedoordayANDnight，Iknow。Ah!\"
Sheutteredascreamofdelight，forjustthen，outcameUcatella，withlittleTommyonhershoulder，anddancedalongtomeether。
Asshecameclose，sheraisedthechubbychildhighintheair，andhecrowed；andthensheloweredhimtohismother，whorushedathim，seized，anddevouredhimwithahundredinarticulatecriesofjoyandloveunspeakable。
\"NATURE!\"saidChristopherdogmatically，recognizinganoldacquaintance，andbookingitasonemoreconquestgainedoverthepast。Buttherewastoomuchexcitementoverthecherubtoattendtohim。Sohewatchedthewomangravely，andbegantomoralizewithallhismight。\"This，\"saidhe，\"iswhatweusedtocallmaternallove；andallanimalshadit，andthatiswhythenoblesavagewentforhim。Itwasverygoodofyou，MissSavage，\"saidthepoorsoulsententiously。
\"Goodofher!\"criedPhoebe。\"Sheisallgoodness。Savage，findmeaDutchwomanlikeher!I\'llgiveheragoodcuddleforit；\"andshetooktheKafirroundtheneck，andgaveheraheartykiss，andmadethelittleboykisshertoo。
Atthismomentoutcameacolliedog，huntingUcatellabyscentalone，whichprocesslandedhimheadlonginthegroup；hegaveloudbarksofrecognition，fawnedonPhoebeandDick，smeltpoorChristopher，gaveagrowlofsuspicion，andlurkedaboutsquinting，dissatisfied，andloweringhistail。
\"Thouartwrong，lad，foronce，\"saidDick；\"forhe\'sanoldfriend，andagoodone。\"
\"Afterthedog，perhapssomeChristianwillcometowelcomeus，\"
saidpoorPhoebe。
Obedienttothewish，outwalkedSophy，theEnglishnurse，ascraggywoman，withaverycockednoseandthin，pinchedlips，andanairofrespectabilityandpertnessmingled。Shedroppedashortcourtesy，shottheglanceofabasiliskatUcatella，andsaidstiffly，\"Youarewelcomehome，ma\'am。\"Thenshetookthelittleboyasonehavingauthority。NotthatPhoebewouldhavesurrenderedhim；butjustthenMr。Falconstrolledout，withacigarinhismouth，andPhoebe，withherheartinHERmouth，flewtomeethim。Therewasarapturousconjugalembrace，followedbymutualinquiries；andthewagondrewupatthedoor。Then，forthefirsttime，FalconobservedStaines，sawatoncehewasagentleman，andtouchedhishattohim，towhichChristopherrespondedinkind，andrememberedhehaddonesointhelocked-uppast。
Phoebeinstantlydrewherhusbandapartbythesleeve。\"Whodoyouthinkthatis?You\'llneverguess。\'TisthegreatdoctorthatsavedDick\'slifeinEnglandwithcuttingofhisthroat。But，oh，mydear，heisnotthemanhewas。Heisafflicted。Outofhismindpartly。Well，wemustcurehim，andsquaretheaccountforDick。I\'maproudwomanatfindinghim，andbringinghimheretomakehimallrightagain，Icantellyou。Oh，Iamhappy，Iamhappy。LittledidIthinktobesohappyasIam。And，mydear，I
havebroughtyouawholesackfulofnewspapers，oldandnew。\"
\"Thatisagoodgirl。Buttellmealittlemoreabouthim。Whatishisname?\"
\"Christie。\"
\"Dr。Christie?\"
\"Nodoubt。Hewasn\'tanapothecary，orachemist，youmaybesure，butahighdoctor，andthecleveresteverwasoreverwillbe:andisn\'titsad，love，toseehimbroughtdownso?Myheartyearnsforthepoorman:andthenhiswife——thesweetest，loveliestcreatureyouever——oh!\"Phoebestoppedveryshort，forsherememberedsomethingallofasudden；nordidsheeveragaingiveFalconachanceofknowingthatthewoman，whosepresencehadsodisturbedhim，wasthisveryDr。Christie\'swife。\"Curious!\"
thoughtshetoherself，\"theworldtobesolarge，andyetsosmall:\"thenaloud，\"Theyareunpackingthewagon；come，dear。I
don\'tthinkIhaveforgottenanythingofyours。There\'scigars，andtobacco，andpowder，andshot，andbullets，andeverythingtomakeyoucomfortable，asmyduty\'tis；and——oh，butI\'mahappywoman。\"
Hottentots，bigandlittle，clusteredaboutthewagon。Treasureaftertreasurewasdeliveredwithcriesofdelight；thedogsfoundoutitwasajoyfultime，andbarkedaboutthewheeledtreasury；
andtheplacedidnotquietdowntillsunset。
AplainbuttidylittleroomwasgiventoChristopher，andheslepttherelikeatop。Nextmorninghisnursecalledhimuptohelpherwaterthegrass。Sheledthewaywithatubonherheadandtwobucketsinit。Shetookhimtothedam；whenshegotthereshetookoutthebuckets，leftoneonthebank，andgavetheothertoChristie。Shethenwentdownthestepstillthewaterwasuptoherneck，andbadeChristiefillthetub。Hepouredeightbucketsfulin。Thenshecameslowlyout，straightasanarrow，balancingthistubfullonherhead。Thensheheldoutherhandsforthetwobuckets。Christiefilledthem，wondering，andgavethemtoher。Shetookthemliketoybuckets，andglidedslowlyhomewiththisenormousweight，andneverspilledadrop。Indeed，thewalkwasmoresmoothandnoblethanever，ifpossible。
Whenshereachedthehouse，shehailedaHottentot，anditcostthemanandChristopheragreateffortofstrengthtolowerhertubbetweenthem。
\"Whatavertebralcolumnyoumusthave!\"saidChristopher。
\"Youmustnotspeakbadwords，mychild，\"saidshe。\"Now，youwaterthegrassandtheflowers。\"Shegavehimawatering-pot，andwatchedhimmaternally；butdidnotputahandtoit。Sheevidentlyconsideredthispartofthebusinessaschild\'splay，andnotafitexerciseofherpowers。
Itwasonlybydrowningthatlittleoasistwiceadaythatthegrasswaskeptgreenandtheflowersalive。
Shefoundhimotherjobsincourseoftheday，andindeedhewasalwayshelpingsomebodyorother，andbecamequiteruddy，bronzed，andplumpofcheek，andworeastrangelookofhappiness，exceptattimeswhenhegotapart，andtriedtorecallthedistantpast。
Thenhewouldknithisbrow，andlookedperplexedandsad。
Theyweregettingquiteusedtohim，andhetothem，whenonedayhedidnotcomeintodinner。Phoebesentoutforhim；buttheycouldnotfindhim。
Thesunset。Phoebebecamegreatlyalarmed，andevenDickwasanxious。
Theyallturnedout，withgunsanddogs，andhuntedforhimbeneaththestars。
JustbeforedaybreakDickDalesawafiresparklebythesideofadistantthicket。Hewenttoit，andtherewasUcatellaseated，calmandgrandasantiquestatue，andChristopherlyingbyherside，withashawlthrownoverhim。AsDalecamehurriedlyup，sheputherfingertoherlips，andsaid，\"Mychildsleeps。Donotwakehim。Whenhesleeps，hehuntsthepast，asColliehuntsthespringbok。\"
\"Here\'sago，\"saidDick。Then，hearingachuckle，helookedup，andwasawareofacomicalappendagetothescene。Therehung，headdownwards，fromabranch，aKafirboy，whowas，infact，thebrotherofthestatelyUcatella，onlywentfurtherintoantiquityforhismodelsofdeportment；for，assheimitatedtheantiquemarbles，hereproducedthehabitsofthatepochwhenmanroosted，andwasarboreal。Wheelsomersaults，and，aboveall，swingingheaddownwardsfromabranch，werethesweetenersofhisexistence。
\"Oh!YOUarethere，areyou?\"saidDick。
\"Iss，\"saidUcatella。\"Timgoodboy。Timfoundmychild。\"
\"Well，\"saidDick，\"hehaschosenaniceplace。Thisistheclumpthelastlioncameoutof，atleasttheysayso。Formypart，I
neversawanAfricanlion；Falconsaysthey\'vealltookship，andgonetoEngland。However，Ishallstayherewithmyrifletilldaybreak。\'TistemptingProvidencetoliedownontheskirtofawoodforLordknowswhattojumpoutonyeunawares。\"
TimwassenthomeforHottentots，andChristopherwascarriedhome，stillsleeping，andlaidonhisownbed。
Heslepttwenty-fourhoursmore，and，whenhewasfairlyawake，asortofmistseemedtoclearawayinplaces，andherememberedthingsatrandom。Herememberedbeingatseaontheraftwiththedeadbody；thatpicturewasquitevividtohim。Heremembered，too，beinginthehospital，andmeetingPhoebe，andeverysucceedingincident；butasrespectedthemoredistantpast，hecouldnotrecallitbyanyeffortofhiswill。Hismindcouldonlygointothatremoterpastbymaterialstepping-stones；andwhatstepping-stoneshehadabouthimhereledhimbacktogeneralknowledge，butnottohisprivatehistory。
Inthisconditionhepuzzledthemallstrangelyatthefarm；hismindwasalternatelysoclearandsoobscure。HewouldchatwithPhoebe，andsometimesgiveheragoodpracticalhint；butthenextmoment，helplessforwantofmemory，thatgreatfacultywithoutwhichjudgmentcannotact，havingnomaterial。
Aftersomedaysofthis，hehadanothergreatsleep。Itbroughthimbackthedistantpastinchapters。Hiswedding-day。Hiswife\'sfaceanddressuponthatday。Hispartingwithher:hiswholevoyageout:but，strangetosay，itsweptawayone-halfofthatwhichhehadrecoveredathislastsleep，andhenolongerrememberedclearlyhowhecametobeatDale\'sKloof。
Thushismindmightbecomparedtooneclimbingaslipperyplace，whogainsafootortwo，thenslipsback；butonthewholegainsmorethanheloses。
HetookagreatlikingtoFalcon。Thatgentlemanhadtheartofpleasing，andthetactnevertooffend。
Falconaffectedtotreatthepoorsoul\'swantofmemoryasacommoninfirmity；pretendedhewashimselfveryoftentroubledinthesameway，andadvisedhimtoreadthenewspapers。\"Mygoodwife，\"saidhe，\"hasbroughtmeawholefileoftheCapeGazette。I\'dreadthemifIwasyou。Thedeuceisinit，ifyoudon\'trakeupsomethingorother。\"
Christopherthankedhimwarmlyforthis:hegotthepaperstohisownlittleroom，andhadalwaysoneortwoinhispocketforreading。Atfirsthefoundagoodmanyhardwordsthatpuzzledhim；andheborrowedapencilofPhoebe，andnotedthemdown。
Strangetosay，thewordsthatpuzzledhimwerealwayscommonwords，thathisunaccountablememoryhadforgotten:ahardword，hewassuretorememberthat。
OnedayhehadtoaskFalconthemeaningof\"spendthrift。\"Falcontoldhimbriefly。Hecouldhaveillustratedthewordbyastrikingexample；buthedidnot。Headded，inhispoliteway，\"Nofellowcanunderstandallthewordsinanewspaper。Now，here\'sawordinmine——\'Anemometer；\'whothedeucecanunderstandsuchaword?\"
\"Oh，THATisacommonwordenough，\"saidpoorChristopher。\"Itmeansamachineformeasuringtheforceofthewind。\"
\"Oh，indeed，\"saidFalcon；butdidnotbelieveawordofit。
OnesultrydayChristopherhadaviolentheadache，andcomplainedtoUcatella。ShetoldPhoebe，andtheyboundhisbrowswithawethandkerchief，andadvisedhimtokeepin-doors。Hesatdowninthecoolestpartofthehouse，andheldhisheadwithhishands，foritseemedasifitwouldexplodeintotwogreatfragments。
Allinamomenttheskywasovercastwithangryclouds，whirlingthiswayandthat。Hugedropsofhailpattereddown，andthenextminutecameatremendousflashoflightning，accompanied，ratherthanfollowed，byacrashofthundercloseovertheirheads。
Thiswastheopening。Downcameadelugeoutofcloudsthatlookedmountainsofpitch，andmadethedaynightbutforthefastandfuriousstrokesoflightningthatfiredtheair。Thescreamofwindandawfulpealsofthundercompletedthehorrorsofthescene。
Inthemidstofthis，bywhatagencyIknownomorethanscienceorasheepdoes，somethingwentoffinsideChristopher\'shead，likeapistol-shot。Hegaveasortofscream，anddashedoutintotheweather。
Phoebeheardhisscreamandhisflyingfootstep，andutteredanejaculationoffear。Thewholehouseholdwasalarmed，and，underothercircumstances，wouldhavefollowedhim；butyoucouldnotseetenyards。
Achillsenseofimpendingmisfortunesettledonthehouse。Phoebethrewherapronoverherhead，androckedinherchair。
Dickhimselflookedverygrave。
Ucatellawouldhavetriedtofollowhim；butDickforbadeher。
\"\'Tisnouse，\"saidhe。\"Whenitclears，wethatbemenwillgoforhim。\"
\"PrayHeavenyoumayfindhimalive!\"
\"Idon\'tthinkbutwhatweshall。There\'snowherehecanfalldowntohurthimself，noryetdrownhimself，butourdam；andhehasnotgonethatway。But\"——
\"Butwhat?\"
\"Ifwedofindhim，wemusttakehimbacktoCapeTown，beforehedoeshimself，orsomeone，amischief。Why，Phoebe，don\'tyouseethemanhasgoneravingmad?\"
CHAPTERXIX。
Theelectrifiedmanrushedoutintothestorm，buthescarcelyfeltitinhisbody；theeffectonhismindoverpoweredhail-stones。
Thelightningseemedtolightupthepast；themightyexplosionsofthunderseemedcannonstrokesknockingdownawall，andlettinginhiswholelife。
Sixhoursthestormraged，and，beforeitended，hehadrecoverednearlyhiswholepast，excepthisvoyagewithCaptainDodd——that，indeed，heneverrecovered——andthethingsthathappenedtohiminthehospitalbeforehemetPhoebeFalconandherbrother:andassoonashehadrecoveredhislostmemory，hisbodybegantoshiveratthehailandrain。Hetriedtofindhiswayhome，butmissedit；notsomuch，however，butthatherecovereditassoonasitbegantoclear，andjustastheywerecomingouttolookforhim，heappearedbeforethem，dripping，shivering，verypaleandworn，withthehandkerchiefstillabouthishead。
Atsightofhim，Dickslippedbacktohissister，andsaid，ratherroughly，\"Therenow，youmayleaveoffcrying:heiscomehome；andto-morrowItakehimtoCapeTown。\"
Christophercreptin，adismal，sinisterfigure。
\"Oh，sir，\"saidPhoebe，\"wasthisadayforaChristiantobeoutin?Howcouldyougoandfrightenusso?\"
\"Forgiveme，madam，\"saidChristopherhumbly；\"Iwasnotmyself。\"
\"Thebestthingyoucandonowistogotobed，andletussendyouupsomethingwarm。\"
\"Youareverygood，\"saidChristopher，andretiredwiththeairofonetoofullofgreatamazingthoughtstogossip。
Hesleptthirtyhoursatastretch，andthen，awakinginthedeadofnight，hesawthepastevenmoreclearandvivid；helightedhiscandleandbegantogropeintheCapeGazette。Astodates，henowrememberedwhenhehadsailedfromEngland，andalsofromMadeira。
Followingupthisclew，hefoundintheGazetteanoticethatH。M。
shipAmphitritehadbeenspokenofftheCape，andhadreportedthemelancholylossofapromisingphysicianandmanofscience，Dr。
Staines。
Theaccountsaideveryexertionhadbeenmadetosavehim，butinvain。
Stainesgroundhisteethwithrageatthis。\"Everyexertion!thefalse-heartedcurs。Theyleftmetodrown，withoutonemanlyefforttosaveme。Cursethem，andcursealltheworld。\"
Pursuinghisresearchesrapidly，hefoundamuchlongeraccountofaraftpickedupbyCaptainDodd，withawhitemanonitandadeadbody，thewhitemanhavingonhimaconsiderablesuminmoneyandjewels。
Thenanewanxietychilledhim。TherewasnotawordtoidentifyhimwithDr。Staines。TheideahadneveroccurredtotheeditoroftheCapeGazette。StilllesswoulditoccurtoanyoneinEngland。
Atthismomenthiswifemustbemourningforhim。\"Poor——poorRosa!\"
Butperhapsthefatalnewsmightnothavereachedher。
Thathopewasdashedawayassoonasfound。Why，thesewereallOLDNEWSPAPERS。Thatgentlemanlymanwhohadlentthemtohimhadsaidso。
Old!yettheycompletedtheyear1867。
Henowtorethroughthemforthedatesalone，andsoonfoundtheywentto1868。Yettheywereoldpapers。HehadsailedinMay，1867。
\"MyGod!\"hecried，inagony，\"IHAVELOSTAYEAR。\"
Thisthoughtcrushedhim。Byandbyhebegantocarrythisawfulideaintodetails。\"MyRosahaswornmourningforme，andputitoffagain。Iamdeadtoher，andtoalltheworld。\"
Heweptlongandbitterly。
Thosetearsclearedhisbrainstillmore。Forallthat，hewasnotyethimself；atleast，Idoubtit；hisinsanity，drivenfromtheintellect，fastenedonelingeringclawintohismoralnature，andhungonbyit。Hissoulfilledwithbitternessandadesiretoberevengedonmankindfortheirinjustice，andthisthoughtpossessedhimmorethanreason。
Hejoinedthefamilyatbreakfast；andneverawordallthetime。
Butwhenhegotuptogo，hesaid，inastrange，doggedway，asifitwentagainstthegrain，\"Godblessthehousethatsuccorstheafflicted。\"Thenhewentouttobroodalone。