Withaheartoffuriousfancies，WhereofIamcommander；
Withaburningspearandahorseofair，TothewildernessIwander。
WithaknightofghostsandshadowsIsummonedamtotourney——
Tenleaguesbeyondthewideworld’send，Methinksitisnojourney——
Toma’Bedlam’sSong-
’GOOD-BYE，Bess；IpromisedyoufiftyHere’sahundred——allthatIgotformyfurniturefromBeetonThatwillkeepyouinprettyfrocksforsometimeYou’vebeenagoodlittlegirl，allthingsconsidered，butyou’vegivenmeandTorpenhowafairamountoftrouble。’
’GiveMrTorpenhowmyloveifyouseehim，won’tyou？’
’OfcourseIwill，dearNowtakemeupthegang-plankandintothecabinOnceaboardtheluggerandthemaidis——andIamfree，I
mean。’
’Who’lllookafteryouonthisship？’
’Thehead-steward，ifthere’sanyuseinmoneyThedoctorwhenwecometoPortSaid，ifIknowanythingofPandOdoctorsAfterthat，theLordwillprovide，asHeusedtodo。’
BessfoundDickhiscabininthewildturmoilofashipfullofleavetakersandweepingrelativesThenhekissedher，andlaidhimselfdowninhisbunkuntilthedecksshouldbeclearHewhohadtakensolongtomoveabouthisowndarkenedroomswellunderstoodthegeographyofaship，andthenecessityofseeingtohisowncomfortswasaswinetohim。
BeforethescrewbegantothrashtheshipalongtheDockshehadbeenintroducedtothehead-steward，hadroyallytippedhim，securedagoodplaceattable，openedouthisbaggage，andsettledhimselfdownwithjoyinthecabinItwasscarcelynecessarytofeelhiswayashemovedabout，forhekneweverythingsowellThenGodwasverykind：adeepsleepofwearinesscameuponhimjustashewouldhavethoughtofMaisie，andheslepttillthesteamerhadclearedthemouthoftheThamesandwasliftingtothepulseoftheChannel。
Therattleoftheengines，thereekofoilandpaint，andaveryfamiliarsoundinthenextcabinrousedhimtohisnewinheritance。
’Oh，it’sgoodtobealiveagain！’Heyawned，stretchedhimselfvigorously，andwentondecktobetoldthattheywerealmostabreastofthelightsofBrightonThisisnomoreopenwaterthanTrafalgalSquareisacommon；thefreelevelsbeginatUshant；butnonethelessDickcouldfeelthehealingoftheseaatworkuponhimalreadyAboisterouslittlecross-swellswungthesteamerdisrespectfullybythenose；andonewavebreakingfaraftspatteredthequarterdeckandthepileofnewdeck-chairsHeheardthefoamfallwiththeclashofbrokenglass，wasstunginthefacebyacupful，andsniffingluxuriously，felthiswaytothesmoking-roombythewheelThereastrongbreezefoundhim，blewhiscapoffandlefthimbareheadedinthedoorway，andthesmoking-roomsteward，understandingthathewasavoyagerofexperience，saidthattheweatherwouldbestiffinthechopsofftheChannelandmorethanhalfagaleintheBayThesethingsfellastheywereforetold，andDickenjoyedhimselftotheutmostItisallowableandevennecessaryatseatolayfirmholdupontables，stanchions，andropesinmovingfromplacetoplaceOnlandthemanwhofeelswithhishandsispatentlyblind。
Atseaevenablindmanwhoisnotsea-sickcanjestwiththedoctorovertheweaknessofhisfellowsDicktoldthedoctormanytales——andthesearecoinofmorevaluethansilverifproperlyhandled——smokedwithhimtillunholyhoursofthenight，andsowonhisshort-livedregardthathepromisedDickafewhoursofhistimewhentheycametoPortSaid。
Andthesearoaredorwasstillasthewindsblew，andtheenginessangtheirsongdayandnight，andthesungrewstrongerdaybyday，andTomtheLascarbarbershavedDickofamorningundertheopenedhatch-gratingwherethecoolwindsblew，andtheawningswerespreadandthepassengersmademerry，andatlasttheycametoPortSaid。
’Takeme，’saidDick，tothedoctor，’toMadameBinat’s——ifyouknowwherethatis。’
’Whew！’saidthedoctor，’IdoThere’snotmuchtochoosebetween’em；
butIsupposeyou’reawarethatthat’soneoftheworsthousesintheplaceThey’llrobyoutobeginwith，andknifeyoulater。’
’NottheyTakemethere，andIcanlookaftermyself。’
SohewasbroughttoMadameBinat’sandfilledhisnostrilswiththewell-rememberedsmelloftheEast，thatrunswithoutachangefromtheCanalheadtoHong-Kong，andhismouthwiththevillainousLinguaFrancaoftheLevantTheheatsmotehimbetweentheshoulder-bladeswiththebuffetofanoldfriend，hisfeetslippedonthesand，andhiscoat-sleevewaswarmasnew-bakedbreadwhenheliftedittohisnose。
MadameBinatsmiledwiththesmilethatknowsnoastonishmentwhenDickenteredthedrinking-shopwhichwasonesourceofhergains。
ButforalittleaccidentofcompletedarknesshecouldhardlyrealisethathehadeverquittedtheoldlifethathummedinhisearsSomebodyopenedabottleofpeculiarlystrongSchiedamThesmellremindedDickofMonsieurBinat，who，bytheway，hadspokenofartanddegradation。
Binatwasdead；Madamesaidasmuchwhenthedoctordeparted，scandalised，sofarasaship’sdoctorcanbe，atthewarmthofDick’sreceptionDickwasdelightedatit’TheyremembermehereafterayearTheyhaveforgottenmeacrossthewaterbythistime。
Madame，I
wantalongtalkwithyouwhenyou’reatlibertyItisgoodtobebackagain。’
Intheeveningshesetaniron-toppedcaf？tableoutonthesands，andDickandshesatbyit，whilethehousebehindthemfilledwithriot，merriment，oaths，andthreatsThestarscameoutandthelightsoftheshippingintheharbourtwinkledbytheheadoftheCanal。
’YesThewarisgoodfortrade，myfriend；butwhatdostthoudohere？
Wehavenotforgottenthee。’
’IwasoverthereinEnglandandIwentblind。’
’ButtherewasthegloryfirstWeheardofithere，evenhere——IandBinat；andthouhastusedtheheadofYellow’Tina——sheisstillalive——sooftenandsowellthat’Tinalaughedwhenthepapersarrivedbythemail-boatsItwasalwayssomethingthatweherecouldrecogniseinthepaintingsAndthentherewasalwaysthegloryandthemoneyforthee。’
’Iamnotpoor——Ishallpayyouwell。’
’NottomeThouhastpaidforeverything。’Underherbreath，’MonDieu，tobeblindandsoyoung！Whathorror！’
Dickcouldnotseeherfacewiththepityonit，orhisownwiththediscolouredhairatthetemplesHedidnotfeeltheneedofpity；hewastooanxioustogettothefrontoncemore，andexplainedhisdesire。
’Andwhere？TheCanalisfulloftheEnglishshipsSometimestheyfireastheyusedtodowhenthewarwashere——tenyearsagoBeyondCairothereisfighting，buthowcanstthougotherewithoutacorrespondent’spassport？Andinthedesertthereisalwaysfighting，butthatisimpossiblealso，’saidshe。
’ImustgotoSuakin。’Heknew，thankstoAlf’sreadings，thatTorpenhowwasatworkwiththecolumnthatwasprotectingtheconstructionoftheSuakin-BerberlinePandOsteamersdonottouchatthatport，and，besides，MadameBinatkneweverybodywhosehelporadvicewasworthanythingTheywerenotrespectablefolk，buttheycouldcausethingstobeaccomplished，whichismuchmoreimportantwhenthereisworktoward。
’ButatSuakintheyarealwaysfightingThatdesertbreedsmenalways——andalwaysmoremenAndtheyaresobold！WhytoSuakin？’
’Myfriendisthere。
’Thyfriend！Chtt！Thyfriendisdeath，then。’
MadameBinatdroppedafatarmonthetable-top，filledDick’sglassanew，andlookedathimcloselyunderthestarsTherewasnoneedthatheshouldbowhisheadinassentandsay——
’NoHeisaman，but——ifitshouldarriveblamestthou？’
’Iblame？’shelaughedshrilly’WhoamIthatIshouldblameanyone——exceptthosewhotrytocheatmeovertheirconsommations。
Butitisveryterrible。’
’ImustgotoSuakinThinkformeAgreatdealhaschangedwithintheyear，andthemenIknewarenothereTheEgyptianlighthousesteamergoesdowntheCanaltoSuakin——andthepost-boats——Buteventhen——’
’DonotthinkanylongerIknow，anditisformetothinkThoushaltgo——thoushaltgoandseethyfriendBewiseSithereuntilthehouseisalittlequiet——Imustattendtomyguests——andafterwardsgotobed。
Thoushaltgo，intruth，thoushaltgo。’
’To-morrow？’
’Assoonasmaybe。’Shewastalkingasthoughhewereachild。
Hesatatthetablelisteningtothevoicesintheharbourandthestreets，andwonderinghowsoontheendwouldcome，tillMadameBinatcarriedhimofftobedandorderedhimtosleepThehouseshoutedandsanganddancedandrevelled，MadameBinatmovingthroughitwithoneeyeontheliquorpaymentsandthegirlsandtheotheronDick’sinterests。
TothislatterendshesmileduponscowlingandfurtiveTurkishofficersoffellaheenregiments，andmorethankindtocamelagentsofnonationalitywhatever。
Intheearlymorning，beingthenappropriatelydressedinaflamingredsilkball-dress，withafrontoftarnishedgoldembroideryandanecklaceofplate-glassdiamonds，shemadechocolateandcarrieditintoDick。
’ItisonlyI，andIamofdiscreetage，eh？Drinkandeattherolltoo。
ThusinFrancemothersbringtheirsons，whenthosebehavewisely，themorningchocolate。’Shesatdownonthesideofthebedwhispering：——
’ItisallarrangedThouwiltgobythelighthouseboatThatisabribeoftenpoundsEnglishThecaptainisneverpaidbytheGovernment。
TheboatcomestoSuakininfourdaysTherewillgowiththeeGeorge，aGreekmuleteerAnotherbribeoftenpoundsIwillpay；theymustnotknowofthymoneyGeorgewillgowiththeeasfarashegoeswithhismulesThenhecomesbacktome，forhiswell-belovedishere，andifIdonotreceiveatelegramfromSuakinsayingthatthouartwell，thegirlanswersforGeorge。’
’Thankyou。’Hereachedoutsleepilyforthecup’Youaremuchtookind，Madame。’
’IftherewereanythingthatImightdoIwouldsay，stayhereandbewise；butIdonotthinkthatwouldbebestforthee。’Shelookedatherliquor-staineddresswithasadsmile’Nay，thoushaltgo，intruth，thoushaltgoItisbestsoMyboy，itisbestso。’
ShestoopedandkissedDickbetweentheeyes’Thatisforgood-morning，’shesaid，goingaway’WhenthouartdressedwewillspeaktoGeorgeandmakeeverythingreadyButfirstwemustopenthelittletrunkGivemethekeys。’
’TheamountofkissinglatelyhasbeensimplyscandalousIshallexpectTorptokissmenextHeismorelikelytoswearatmeforgettinginhisway，thoughWell，itwon’tlastlong——Ohe，Madame，helpmetomytoiletteoftheguillotine！Therewillbenochanceofdressingproperlyoutyonder。’
Hewasrummagingamonghisnewcampaign-kit，androwellinghishandswiththespursTherearetwosaysofwearingwell-oiledankle-jacks，spotlessbluebands，khakicoatandbreeches，andaperfectlypipeclayedhelmetTherightwayisthewayoftheuntiredman，masterofhimself，settingoutuponanexpedition，wellpleased。
’Everythingmustbeverycorrect，’Dickexplained’Itwillbecomedirtyafterwards，butnowitisgoodtofeelwelldressedIseverythingasitshouldbe？’
Hepattedtherevolverneatlyhiddenunderthefulnessoftheblouseontherighthipandfingeredhiscollar。
’Icandonomore，’Madamesaid，betweenlaughingandcrying。
’Lookatthyself——butIforgot。’
’Iamverycontent。’Hestrokedthecreaselessspiralsofhisleggings。
’NowletusgoandseethecaptainandGeorgeandthelighthouseboat。
Bequick，Madame。’
’ButthoucanstnotbeseenbytheharbourwalkingwithmeinthedaylightFiguretoyourselfifsomeEnglishladies——’
’TherearenoEnglishladies；andifthereare，Ihaveforgottenthem。
Takemethere。’
InspiteofthisburningimpatienceitwasnearlyeveningerethelighthouseboatbegantomoveMadamehadsaidagreatdealbothtoGeorgeandthecaptaintouchingthearrangementsthatweretobemadeforDick’sbenefitVeryfewmenwhohadthehonourofheracquaintancecaredtodisregardMadame’sadviceThatsortofcontemptmightendinbeingknifedbyastrangerinagamblinghelluponsurprisinglyshortprovocation。
Forsixdays——twoofthemwerewastedinthecrowdedCanal——thelittlesteamerworkedherwaytoSuakin，whereshewastopickupthesuperintendentofthelighthouse；andDickmadeithisbusinesstopropitiateGeorge，whowasdistractedwithfearsforthesafetyofhislight-of-loveandhalfinclinedtomakeDickresponsibleforhisowndiscomfortWhentheyarrivedGeorgetookhimunderhiswing，andtogethertheyenteredthered-hotseaport，encumberedwiththematerialandwastageoftheSuakin-Bergerline，fromlocomotivesindisconsolatefragmentstomoundsofchairsandpot-sleepers。
’Ifyoukeepwithme，’saidGeorge，’nobodywillaskforpassportsorwhatyoudoTheyareallverybusy。’
’Yes；butIshouldliketohearsomeoftheEnglishmentalkTheymightremembermeIwasknownherealongtimeago——whenIwassomeoneindeed。’
’AlongtimeagoisaverylongtimeagohereThegraveyardsarefull。
NowlistenThisnewrailwayrunsoutsofarasTanai-el-Hassan——thatissevenmilesThenthereisacampTheysaythatbeyondTanai-el-HassantheEnglishtroopsgoforward，andeverythingthattheyrequirewillbebroughttothembythisline。’
’Ah！BasecampIseeThat’sabetterbusinessthanfightingFuzziesintheopen。’
’Forthisreasoneventhemulestoupintheiron-train。’
’Ironwhat？’
’Itisallcoveredwithiron，becauseitisstillbeingshotat。’
’AnarmouredtrainBetterandbetter！Goon，faithfulGeorge。’
’AndIgoupwithmymulesto-nightOnlythosewhoparticularlyrequiretogotothecampgooutwiththetrainTheybegintoshootnotfarfromthecity。’
’Thedears——theyalwaysusedto！’Dicksnuffedthesmellofparcheddust，heatediron，andflakingpaintwithdelightCertainlytheoldlifewaswelcominghimbackmostgenerously。
’WhenIhavegotmymulestogetherIgoupto-night，butyoumustfirstsendatelegramofPortSaid，declaringthatIhavedoneyounoharm。’
’MadamehasyouwellinhandWouldyoustickaknifeintomeifyouhadthechance？’