CHAPTERI
SowesettleditallwhenthestormwasdoneAscomf’yascomf’ycouldbe；
AndIwastowaitinthebarn，mydears，BecauseIwasonlythree；
AndTeddywouldruntotherainbow’sfoot，Becausehewasfiveandaman；
Andthat’showitallbegan，mydears，Andthat’showitallbegan。——BigBarnStories。
’WHATdoyouthinkshe’ddoifshecaughtus？Weoughtn’ttohaveit，youknow，’saidMaisie。
’Beatme，andlockyouupinyourbedroom，’Dickanswered，withouthesitation。’Haveyougotthecartridges？’
\"Yes；they’reinmypocket，buttheyarejogglinghorribly。Dopin—firecartridgesgooffoftheirownaccord？’
’Don’tknow。Taketherevolver，ifyouareafraid，andletmecarrythem。’
\"I’mnotafraid。’Maisiestrodeforwardswiftly，ahandinherpocketandherchinintheair。Dickfollowedwithasmallpin—firerevolver。
Thechildrenhaddiscoveredthattheirliveswouldbeunendurablewithoutpistol—practice。Aftermuchforethoughtandself—denial，Dickhadsavedsevenshillingsandsixpence，thepriceofabadlyconstructedBelgianrevolver。Maisiecouldonlycontributehalfacrowntothesyndicateforthepurchaseofahundredcartridges。’YoucansavebetterthanIcan，Dick，’sheexplained；’Ilikenicethingstoeat，anditdoesn’tmattertoyou。Besides，boysoughttodothesethings。’
Dickgrumbledalittleatthearrangement，butwentoutandmadethepurchase，whichthechildrenwerethenontheirwaytotest。Revolversdidnotlieintheschemeoftheirdailylifeasdecreedforthembytheguardianwhowasincorrectlysupposedtostandintheplaceofamothertothesetwoorphans。Dickhadbeenunderhercareforsixyears，duringwhichtimeshehadmadeherprofitoftheallowancessupposedtobeexpendedonhisclothes，and，partlythroughthoughtlessness，partlythroughanaturaldesiretopain，——shewasawidowofsomeyearsanxioustomarryagain，——hadmadehisdaysburdensomeonhisyoungshoulders。
Wherehehadlookedforlove，shegavehimfirstaversionandthenhate。
Wherehegrowingolderhadsoughtalittlesympathy，shegavehimridicule。Themanyhoursthatshecouldsparefromtheorderingofhersmallhouseshedevotedtowhatshecalledthehome—trainingofDickHeldar。Herreligion，manufacturedinthemainbyherownintelligenceandakeenstudyoftheScriptures，wasanaidtoherinthismatter。AtsuchtimesassheherselfwasnotpersonallydispleasedwithDick，shelefthimtounderstandthathehadaheavyaccounttosettlewithhisCreator；whereforeDicklearnedtoloathehisGodasintenselyasheloathedMrs。Jennett；andthisisnotawholesomeframeofmindfortheyoung。Sinceshechosetoregardhimasahopelessliar，butaneconomicalandself—containedone，neverthrowingawaytheleastunnecessaryfib，andneverhesitatingattheblackest，wereitonlyplausible，thatmightmakehislifealittleeasier。Thetreatmenttaughthimatleastthepoweroflivingalone，——apowerthatwasofservicetohimwhenhewenttoapublicschoolandtheboyslaughedathisclothes，whichwerepoorinqualityandmuchmended。IntheholidayshereturnedtotheteachingsofMrs。Jennett，and，thatthechainofdisciplinemightnotbeweakenedbyassociationwiththeworld，wasgenerallybeaten，ononeaccountoranother，beforehehadbeentwelvehoursunderherroof。
Theautumnofoneyearbroughthimacompanioninbondage，along—haired，gray—eyedlittleatom，asself—containedashimself，whomovedaboutthehousesilentlyandforthefirstfewweeksspokeonlytothegoatthatwasherchiefestfriendonearthandlivedintheback—garden。Mrs。Jennettobjectedtothegoatonthegroundsthathewasun—Christian，——whichhecertainlywas。’Then，’saidtheatom，choosingherwordsverydeliberately，’Ishallwritetomylawyer—peoplesandtellthemthatyouareaverybadwoman。Amommaismine，mine，mine！’Mrs。Jennettmadeamovementtothehall，wherecertainumbrellasandcanesstoodinarack。TheatomunderstoodasclearlyasDickwhatthismeant。’Ihavebeenbeatenbefore，’shesaid，stillinthesamepassionlessvoice；’Ihavebeenbeatenworsethanyoucaneverbeatme。IfyoubeatmeIshallwritetomylawyer—peoplesandtellthemthatyoudonotgivemeenoughtoeat。Iamnotafraidofyou。’Mrs。Jennettdidnotgointothehall，andtheatom，afterapausetoassureherselfthatalldangerofwarwaspast，wentout，toweepbitterlyonAmomma’sneck。
DicklearnedtoknowherasMaisie，andatfirstmistrustedherprofoundly，forhefearedthatshemightinterferewiththesmalllibertyofactionlefttohim。Shedidnot，however；andshevolunteerednofriendlinessuntilDickhadtakenthefirststeps。Longbeforetheholidayswereover，thestressofpunishmentsharedincommondrovethechildrentogether，ifitwereonlytoplayintoeachother’shandsastheypreparedliesforMrs。Jennett’suse。WhenDickreturnedtoschool，Maisiewhispered，’NowIshallbeallalonetotakecareofmyself；
but，’andshenoddedherheadbravely，’Icandoit。YoupromisedtosendAmommaagrasscollar。Senditsoon。’Aweeklatersheaskedforthatcollarbyreturnofpost，andwanotpleasedwhenshelearnedthatittooktimetomake。WhenatlastDickforwardedthegift，sheforgottothankhimforit。
Manyholidayshadcomeandgonesincethatday，andDickhadgrownintoalankyhobbledehoymorethaneverconsciousofhisbadclothes。NotforamomenthadMrs。Jennettrelaxedhertendercareofhim，buttheaveragecaningsofapublicschool——Dickfellunderpunishmentaboutthreetimesamonth——filledhimwithcontemptforherpowers。’Shedoesn’thurt，’heexplainedtoMaisie，whourgedhimtorebellion，’andsheiskindertoyouaftershehaswhackedme。’Dickshambledthroughthedaysunkemptinbodyandsavageinsoul，asthesmallerboysoftheschoollearnedtoknow，forwhenthespiritmovedhimhewouldhitthem，cunninglyandwithscience。ThesamespiritmadehimmorethanoncetrytoteaseMaisie，butthegirlrefusedtobemadeunhappy。’Wearebothmiserableasitis，’saidshe。’Whatistheuseoftryingtomakethingsworse？Let’sfindthingstodo，andforgetthings。’
Thepistolwastheoutcomeofthatsearch。Itcouldonlybeusedonthemuddiestforeshoreofthebeach，farawayfromthebathing—machinesandpierheads，belowthegrassyslopesofFortKeeling。Thetideranoutnearlytwomilesonthatcoast，andthemany—colouredmud—banks，touchedbythesun，sentupalamentablesmellofdeadweed。ItwaslateintheafternoonwhenDickandMaisiearrivedontheirground，Amommatrottingpatientlybehindthem。
’Mf！’saidMaisie，sniffingtheair。’Iwonderwhatmakestheseasosmelly？Idon’tlikeit！’
’Youneverlikeanythingthatisn’tmadejustforyou，’saidDickbluntly。’Givemethecartridges，andI’lltryfirstshot。Howfardoesoneoftheselittlerevolverscarry？’
’Oh，halfamile，’saidMaisie，promptly。’Atleastitmakesanawfulnoise。Becarefulwiththecartridges；Idon’tlikethosejaggedstick—upthingsontherim。Dick，dobecareful。’
’Allright。Iknowhowtoload。I’llfireatthebreakwateroutthere。’
Hefired，andAmommaranawaybleating。Thebulletthrewupaspurtofmudtotherightofthewood—wreathedpiles。
’Throwshighandtotheright。Youtry，Maisie。Mind，it’sloadedallround。’
Maisietookthepistolandsteppeddelicatelytothevergeofthemud，herhandfirmlyclosedonthebutt，hermouthandlefteyescrewedup。
Dicksatdownonatuftofbankandlaughed。Amommareturnedverycautiously。Hewasaccustomedtostrangeexperiencesinhisafternoonwalks，and，findingthecartridge—boxunguarded，madeinvestigationswithhisnose。Maisiefired，butcouldnotseewherethebulletwent。
’Ithinkithitthepost，’shesaid，shadinghereyesandlookingoutacrossthesaillesssea。
’IknowithasgoneouttotheMarazionBell—buoy，’saidDick，withachuckle。’Firelowandtotheleft；thenperhapsyou’llgetit。Oh，lookatAmomma！——he’seatingthecartridges！’
Maisieturned，therevolverinherhand，justintimetoseeAmommascamperingawayfromthepebblesDickthrewafterhim。Nothingissacredtoabilly—goat。Beingwellfedandtheadoredofhismistress，Amommahadnaturallyswallowedtwoloadedpin—firecartridges。MaisiehurrieduptoassureherselfthatDickhadnotmiscountedthetale。
’Yes，he’seatentwo。’
’Horridlittlebeast！Thenthey’lljoggleaboutinsidehimandblowup，andservehimright……Oh，Dick！haveIkilledyou？’
Revolversaretrickythingsforyounghandstodealwith。Maisiecouldnotexplainhowithadhappened，butaveilofreekingsmokeseparatedherfromDick，andshewasquitecertainthatthepistolhadgoneoffinhisface。Thensheheardhimsputter，anddroppedonherkneesbesidehim，crying，’Dick，youaren’thurt，areyou？Ididn’tmeanit。’
’Ofcourseyoudidn’t，saidDick，comingoutofthesmokeandwipinghischeek。’Butyounearlyblindedme。Thatpowderstuffstingsawfully。’A
neatlittlesplashofgrayledonastoneshowedwherethebullethadgone。Maisiebegantowhimper。
’Don’t，’saidDick，jumpingtohisfeetandshakinghimself。’I’mnotabithurt。’
’No，butImighthavekilledyou，’protestedMaisie，thecornersofhermouthdrooping。’WhatshouldIhavedonethen？’
’GonehomeandtoldMrs。Jennett。’Dickgrinnedatthethought；then，softening，’Pleasedon’tworryaboutit。Besides，wearewastingtime。
We’vegottogetbacktotea。I’lltaketherevolverforabit。’
Maisiewouldhaveweptontheleastencouragement，butDick’sindifference，albeithishandwasshakingashepickedupthepistol，restrainedher。ShelaypantingonthebeachwhileDickmethodicallybombardedthebreakwater。’Gotitatlast！’heexclaimed，asalockofweedflewfromthewood。
’Letmetry，’saidMaisie，imperiously。’I’mallrightnow。’
Theyfiredinturnstillthericketylittlerevolvernearlyshookitselftopieces，andAmommatheoutcast——becausehemightblowupatanymoment——browsedinthebackgroundandwonderedwhystoneswerethrownathim。ThentheyfoundabalkoftimberfloatinginapoolwhichwascommandedbytheseawardslopeofFortKeeling，andtheysatdowntogetherbeforethisnewtarget。
’Nextholidays，’saidDick，asthenowthoroughlyfouledrevolverkickedwildlyinhishand，’we’llgetanotherpistol，——centralfire，——thatwillcarryfarther。’
’Therewon’tbanynextholidaysforme，’saidMaisie。’I’mgoingaway。’
’Whereto？’
’Idon’tknow。MylawyershavewrittentoMrs。Jennett，andI’vegottobeeducatedsomewhere，——inFrance，perhaps，——Idon’tknowwhere；butI
shallbegladtogoaway。’
’Ishan’tlikeitabit。IsupposeIshallbeleft。Lookhere，Maisie，isitreallytrueyou’regoing？ThentheseholidayswillbethelastI
shallseeanythingofyou；andIgobacktoschoolnextweek。I
wish————’
Theyoungbloodturnedhischeeksscarlet。Maisiewaspickinggrass—tuftsandthrowingthemdowntheslopeatayellowsea—poppynoddingallbyitselftotheillimitablelevelsofthemud—flatsandthemilk—whiteseabeyond。
’Iwish，’shesaid，afterapause，’thatIcouldseeyouagainsometime。
Youwishthat，too？’
’Yes，butitwouldhavebeenbetterif——if——youhad——shotstraightoverthere——downbythebreakwater。’
Maisielookedwithlargeeyesforamoment。AndthiswastheboywhoonlytendaysbeforehaddecoratedAmomma’shornswithcut—paperham—frillsandturnedhimout，abeardedderision，amongthepublicways！Thenshedroppedhereyes：thiswasnottheboy。
’Don’tbestupid，’shesaidreprovingly，andwithswiftinstinctattackedtheside—issue。’Howselfishyouare！JustthinkwhatIshouldhavefeltifthathorridthinghadkilledyou！I’mquitemiserableenoughalready。’
’Why？Becauseyou’regoingawayfromMrs。Jennett？’
’No。’
’Fromme，then？’
Noanswerforalongtime。Dickdarednotlookather。Hefelt，thoughhedidnotknow，allthatthepastfouryearshadbeentohim，andthisthemoreacutelysincehehadnoknowledgetoputhisfeelingsinwords。
’Idon’tknow，’shesaid。’Isupposeitis。’
’Maisie，youmustknow。I’mnotsupposing。’
’Let’sgohome，’saidMaisie，weakly。
ButDickwasnotmindedtoretreat。
’Ican’tsaythings，’hepleaded，’andI’mawfullysorryforteasingyouaboutAmommatheotherday。It’salldifferentnow，Maisie，can’tyousee？Andyoumighthavetoldmethatyouweregoing，insteadofleavingmetofindout。’
’Youdidn’t。Ididtell。Oh，Dick，what’stheuseofworrying？’
’Thereisn’tany；butwe’vebeentogetheryearsandyears，andIdidn’tknowhowmuchIcared。’
’Idon’tbelieveyoueverdidcare。’
’No，Ididn’t；butIdo，——Icareawfullynow，Maisie，’hegulped，——’Maisie，darling，sayyoucaretoo，please。’
’Ido，indeedIdo；butitwon’tbeanyuse。’
’Why？’
’BecauseIamgoingaway。’
’Yes，butifyoupromisebeforeyougo。Onlysay——willyou？’Asecond’darling’cametohislipsmoreeasilythanthefirst。TherewerefewendearmentsinDick’shomeorschoollife；hehadtofindthembyinstinct。Dickcaughtthelittlehandblackenedwiththeescapedgasoftherevolver。
’Ipromise，’shesaidsolemnly；’butifIcarethereisnoneedforpromising。’
’Anddoyoucare？’Forthefirsttimeinthepastfewminutestheireyesmetandspokeforthemwhohadnoskillinspeech……
’Oh，Dick，don’t！Pleasedon’t！Itwasallrightwhenwesaidgood—morning；butnowit’salldifferent！’Amommalookedonfromafar。
Hehadseenhispropertyquarrelfrequently，buthehadneverseenkissesexchangedbefore。Theyellowsea—poppywaswiser，andnoddeditsheadapprovingly。Consideredasakiss，thatwasafailure，butsinceitwasthefirst，otherthanthosedemandedbyduty，inalltheworldthateitherhadevergivenortaken，itopenedtothemnewworlds，andeveryoneofthemglorious，sothattheywereliftedabovetheconsiderationofanyworldsatall，especiallythoseinwhichteaisnecessary，andsatstill，holdingeachother’shandsandsayingnotaword。
’Youcan’tforgetnow，’saidDick，atlast。Therewasthatonhischeekthatstungmorethangunpowder。
’Ishouldn’thaveforgottenanyhow，’saidMaisie，andtheylookedateachotherandsawthateachwaschangedfromthecompanionofanhouragotoawonderandamysterytheycouldnotunderstand。Thesunbegantoset，andanight—windthrashedalongthebentsoftheforeshore。
’Weshallbeawfullylatefortea，’saidMaisie。’Let’sgohome。’
’Let’susetherestofthecartridgesfirst，’saidDick；andhehelpedMaisiedowntheslopeoftheforttothesea，——adescentthatshewasquitecapableofcoveringatfullspeed。EquallygravelyMaisietookthegrimyhand。Dickbentforwardclumsily；Maisiedrewthehandaway，andDickblushed。
’It’sverypretty，’hesaid。
’Pooh！’saidMaisie，withalittlelaughofgratifiedvanity。ShestoodclosetoDickasheloadedtherevolverforthelasttimeandfiredovertheseawithavaguenotionatthebackofhisheadthathewasprotectingMaisiefromalltheevilsintheworld。Apuddlefaracrossthemudcaughtthelastraysofthesunandturnedintoawrathfulreddisc。ThelightheldDick’sattentionforamoment，andasheraisedhisrevolvertherefelluponhimarenewedsenseofthemiraculous，inthathewasstandingbyMaisiewhohadpromisedtocareforhimforanindefinitelengthoftimetillsuchdateas————Agustofthegrowingwinddrovethegirl’slongblackhairacrosshisfaceasshestoodwithherhandonhisshouldercallingAmomma’alittlebeast，’andforamomenthewasinthedark，——adarknessthatstung。Thebulletwentsingingouttotheemptysea。
’Spoiltmyaim，’saidhe，shakinghishead。’Therearen’tanymorecartridges；weshallhavetorunhome。’Buttheydidnotrun。Theywalkedveryslowly，arminarm。AnditwasamatterofindifferencetothemwhethertheneglectedAmommawithtwopin—firecartridgesinhisinsideblewuportrottedbesidethem；fortheyhadcomeintoagoldenheritageandweredisposingofitwithallthewisdomofalltheiryears。
’AndIshallbe————’quothDick，valiantly。Thenhecheckedhimself：’I
don’tknowwhatIshallbe。Idon’tseemtobeabletopassanyexams，butIcanmakeawfulcaricaturesofthemasters。Ho！Ho！’
’Beanartist，then，’saidMaisie。’You’realwayslaughingatmytryingtodraw；anditwilldoyougood。’
’I’llneverlaughatanythingyoudo，’heanswered。’I’llbeanartist，andI’lldothings。’
’Artistsalwayswantmoney，don’tthey？’
’I’vegotahundredandtwentypoundsayearofmyown。MyguardianstellmeI’mtohaveitwhenIcomeofage。Thatwillbeenoughtobeginwith。’
’Ah，I’mrich，’saidMaisie。’I’vegotthreehundredayearallmyownwhenI’mtwenty—one。That’swhyMrs。Jennettiskindertomethansheistoyou。Iwish，though，thatIhadsomebodythatbelongedtome，——justafatheroramother。’
’Youbelongtome，’saidDick，’foreverandever。’
’Yes，webelong——forever。It’sverynice。’Shesqueezedhisarm。Thekindlydarknesshidthemboth，and，emboldenedbecausehecouldonlyjustseetheprofileofMaisie’scheekwiththelonglashesveilingthegrayeyes，Dickatthefrontdoordeliveredhimselfofthewordshehadbeenbogglingoverforthelasttwohours。
’AndI——loveyou，Maisie，’hesaid，inawhisperthatseemedtohimtoringacrosstheworld，——theworldthathewouldto—morroworthenextdaysetouttoconquer。
Therewasascene，not，forthesakeofdiscipline，tobereported，whenMrs。Jennettwouldhavefallenuponhim，firstfordisgracefulunpunctuality，andsecondlyfornearlykillinghimselfwithaforbiddenweapon。
’Iwasplayingwithit，anditwentoffbyitself，’saidDick，whenthepowder—pockedcheekcouldnolongerbehidden，’butifyouthinkyou’regoingtolickmeyou’rewrong。Youarenevergoingtotouchmeagain。
Sitdownandgivememytea。Youcan’tcheatusoutofthat，anyhow。’
Mrs。Jennettgaspedandbecamelivid。Maisiesaidnothing，butencouragedDickwithhereyes，andhebehavedabominablyallthatevening。Mrs。JennettprophesiedanimmediatejudgmentofProvidenceandadescentintoTophetlater，butDickwalkedinParadiseandwouldnothear。OnlywhenhewasgoingtobedMrs。Jennettrecoveredandassertedherself。HehadbiddenMaisiegood—nightwithdown—droppedeyesandfromadistance。
’Ifyouaren’tagentlemanyoumighttrytobehavelikeone，’saidMrs。
Jennett，spitefully。’You’vebeenquarrellingwithMaisieagain。’
Thismeantthattheusualgood—nightkisshadbeenomitted。Maisie，whitetothelips，thrusthercheekforwardwithafineairofindifference，andwasdulypeckedbyDick，whotrampedoutoftheroomredasfire。Thatnighthedreamedawilddream。HehadwonalltheworldandbroughtittoMaisieinacartridge—box，butsheturneditoverwithherfoot，and，insteadofsaying’Thankyou，’cried——
’WhereisthegrasscollaryoupromisedforAmomma？Oh，howselfishyouare！’？
CHAPTERII
Thenwebroughtthelancesdown，thenthebuglesblew，WhenwewenttoKandahar，ridin’twoan’two，Ridin’，ridin’，ridin’，twoan’two，Ta—ra—ra—ra—ra—ra—ra，AllthewaytoKandahar，ridin’twoan’two。
——Barrack—RoomBallad。
’I’MNOTangrywiththeBritishpublic，butIwishwehadafewthousandofthemscatteredamongtheserooks。Theywouldn’tbeinsuchahurrytogetattheirmorningpapersthen。Can’tyouimaginetheregulationhouseholder——LoverofJustice，ConstantReader，Paterfamilias，andallthatlot——frizzlingonhotgravel？’
’Withablueveiloverhishead，andhisclothesinstrips。Hasanymanhereaneedle？I’vegotapieceofsugar—sack。’
’I’lllendyouapacking—needleforsixsquareinchesofitthen。Bothmykneesarewornthrough。’
’Whynotsixsquareacres，whileyou’reaboutit？Butlendmetheneedle，andI’llseewhatIcandowiththeselvage。Idon’tthinkthere’senoughtoprotectmyroyalbodyfromthecoldblastasitis。Whatareyoudoingwiththateverlastingsketch—bookofyours，Dick？’
’StudyofourSpecialCorrespondentrepairinghiswardrobe，’saidDick，gravely，astheothermankickedoffapairofsorelywornriding—breechesandbegantofitasquareofcoarsecanvasoverthemostobviousopenspace。Hegrunteddisconsolatelyasthevastnessofthevoiddevelopeditself。
’Sugar—bags，indeed！Hi！youpilotmanthere！lendmeallthesailsforthatwhale—boat。’
Afez—crownedheadbobbedupinthestern—sheets，divideditselfintoexacthalveswithoneflashinggrin，andbobbeddownagain。Themanofthetatteredbreeches，cladonlyinaNorfolkjacketandagrayflannelshirt，wentonwithhisclumsysewing，whileDickchuckledoverthesketch。
Sometwentywhale—boatswerenuzzlingasand—bankwhichwasdottedwithEnglishsoldieryofhalfadozencorps，bathingorwashingtheirclothes。Aheapofboat—rollers，commissariat—boxes，sugar—bags，andflour—andsmall—arm—ammunition—casesshowedwhereoneofthewhale—boatshadbeencompelledtounloadhastily；andaregimentalcarpenterwasswearingaloudashetried，onawhollyinsufficientallowanceofwhitelead，toplasterupthesun—parchedgapingseamsoftheboatherself。
’Firstthebloomin’ruddersnaps，’saidhetotheworldingeneral；’thenthemastgoes；an’then，s’’helpme，whenshecan’tdonothin’else，sheopens’erselfoutlikeacock—eyesChineselotus。’
’Exactlythecasewithmybreeches，whoeveryouare，’saidthetailor，withoutlookingup。’Dick，IwonderwhenIshallseeadecentshopagain。’
Therewasnoanswer，savetheincessantangrymurmuroftheNileasitracedroundabasalt—walledbendandfoamedacrossarock—ridgehalfamileupstream。Itwasasthoughthebrownweightoftheriverwoulddrivethewhitemenbacktotheirowncountry。TheindescribablescentofNilemudintheairtoldthatthestreamwasfallingandthenextfewmileswouldbenolightthingforthewhale—boatstooverpass。Thedesertrandownalmosttothebanks，where，amonggray，red，andblackhillocks，acamel—corpswasencamped。Nomandaredevenforadaylosetouchoftheslow—movingboats；therehadbeennofightingforweekspast，andthroughoutallthattimetheNilehadneversparedthem。Rapidhadfollowedrapid，rockrock，andisland—groupisland—group，tilltherankandfilehadlongsincelostallcountofdirectionandverynearlyoftime。Theyweremovingsomewhere，theydidnotknowwhy，todosomething，theydidnotknowwhat。BeforethemlaytheNile，andattheotherendofitwasoneGordon，fightingforthedearlife，inatowncalledKhartoum。TherewerecolumnsofBritishtroopsinthedesert，orinoneofthemanydeserts；therewereyetmorecolumnswaitingtoembarkontheriver；therewerefreshdraftswaitingatAssiootandAssuan；therewereliesandrumoursrunningoverthefaceofthehopelesslandfromSuakintotheSixthCataract，andmensupposedgenerallythattheremustbesomeoneinauthoritytodirectthegeneralschemeofthemanymovements。Thedutyofthatparticularriver—columnwastokeepthewhale—boatsafloatinthewater，toavoidtramplingonthevillagers’cropswhenthegangs’tracked’theboatswithlinesthrownfrommidstream，togetasmuchsleepandfoodaswaspossible，and，aboveall，topressonwithoutdelayintheteethofthechurningNile。
Withthesoldierssweatedandtoiledthecorrespondentsofthenewspapers，andtheywerealmostasignorantastheircompanions。ButitwasaboveallthingsnecessarythatEnglandatbreakfastshouldbeamusedandthrilledandinterested，whetherGordonlivedordied，orhalftheBritisharmywenttopiecesinthesands。TheSoudancampaignwasapicturesqueone，andlentitselftovividword—painting。Nowandagaina’Special’managedtogetslain，——whichwasnotaltogetheradisadvantagetothepaperthatemployedhim，——andmoreoftenthehand—to—handnatureofthefightingallowedofmiraculousescapeswhichwereworthtelegraphinghomeateighteenpencetheword。Thereweremanycorrespondentswithmanycorpsandcolumns，——fromtheveteranswhohadfollowedontheheelsofthecavalrythatoccupiedCairoin’82，whattimeArabiPashacalledhimselfking，whohadseenthefirstmiserableworkroundSuakinwhenthesentrieswerecutupnightlyandthescrubswarmedwithspears，toyoungstersjerkedintothebusinessattheendofatelegraph—wiretotaketheplacesoftheirbetterskilledorinvalided。
Amongtheseniors——thosewhokneweveryshiftandchangeintheperplexingpostalarrangements，thevalueoftheseediest，weediestEgyptiangarronofferedforsaleinCairoorAlexandria，whocouldtalkatelegraph—clerkintoamiabilityandsoothetheruffledvanityofanewlyappointedstaff—officerwhenpressregulationsbecameburdensome——wasthemanintheflannelshirt，theblack—browedTorpenhow。HerepresentedtheCentralSouthernSyndicateinthecampaign，ashehadrepresenteditintheEgyptianwar，andelsewhere。Thesyndicatedidnotconcernitselfgreatlywithcriticismsofattackandthelike。Itsuppliedthemasses，andallitdemandedwaspicturesquenessandabundanceofdetail；forthereismorejoyinEnglandoverasoldierwhoinsubordinatelystepsoutofsquaretorescueacomradethanovertwentygeneralsslavingeventobaldnessatthegrossdetailsoftransportandcommissariat。
HehadmetatSuakinayoungman，sittingontheedgeofarecentlyabandonedredoubtaboutthesizeofahat—box，sketchingaclumpofshell—tornbodiesonthegravelplain。
’Whatareyoufor？’saidTorpenhow。Thegreetingofthecorrespondentisthatofthecommercialtravellerontheroad。
’Myownhand，’saidtheyoungman，withoutlookingup。’Haveyouanytobacco？’
Torpenhowwaitedtillthesketchwasfinished，andwhenhehadlookedatitsaid，’What’syourbusinesshere？’
’Nothing；therewasarow，soIcame。I’msupposedtobedoingsomethingdownatthepainting—slipsamongtheboats，orelseI’minchargeofthecondenserononeofthewater—ships。I’veforgottenwhich。’
’You’vecheekenoughtobuildaredoubtwith，’saidTorpenhow，andtookstockofthenewacquaintance。’Doyoualwaysdrawlikethat？’
Theyoungmanproducedmoresketches。’RowonaChinesepig—boat，’
saidhe，sententiously，showingthemoneafteranother。——’Chiefmatedirkedbyacomprador。——JunkashoreoffHakodate。——Somalimuleteerbeingflogged。——Star—shelledburstingovercampatBerbera。——Slave—dhowbeingchasedroundTajurrahBah。——SoldierlyingdeadinthemoonlightoutsideSuakin。——throatcutbyFuzzies。’
’H’m！’saidTorpenhow，’can’tsayIcareforVerestchagin—and—watermyself，butthere’snoaccountingfortastes。Doinganythingnow，areyou？’
’No。I’mamusingmyselfhere。’
Torpenhowlookedatthesketchesagain，andnodded。’Yes，you’rerighttotakeyourfirstchancewhenyoucangetit。’
HerodeawayswiftlythroughtheGateoftheTwoWar—Ships，rattledacrossthecausewayintothetown，andwiredtohissyndicate，’Gotmanhere，picture—work。Goodandcheap。ShallIarrange？Willdoletterpresswithsketches。’
Themanontheredoubtsatswinginghislegsandmurmuring，’Iknewthechancewouldcome，soonerorlater。ByGad，they’llhavetosweatforitifIcomethroughthisbusinessalive！’
IntheeveningTorpenhowwasabletoannouncetohisfriendthattheCentralSouthernAgencywaswillingtotakehimontrial，payingexpensesforthreemonths。’And，bytheway，what’syourname？’saidTorpenhow。
’Heldar。Dotheygivemeafreehand？’
’They’vetakenyouonchance。Youmustjustifythechoice。You’dbettersticktome。I’mgoingup—countrywithacolumn，andI’lldowhatIcanforyou。Givemesomeofyoursketchestakenhere，andI’llsend’emalong。’Tohimselfhesaid，’That’sthebestbargaintheCentralsouthernhasevermade；andtheygotmecheaplyenough。’
Soitcametopassthat，aftersomepurchaseofhorse—fleshandarrangementsfinancialandpolitical，DickwasmadefreeoftheNewandHonourableFraternityofwarcorrespondents，whoallpossesstheinalienablerightofdoingasmuchworkastheycanandgettingasmuchforitasProvidenceandtheirownersshallplease。Tothesethingsareaddedintime，ifthebrotherbeworthy，thepowerofglibspeechthatneithermannorwomancanresistwhenamealorabedisinquestion，theeyeofahorse—cope，theskillofacook，theconstitutionofabullock，thedigestionofanostrich，andaninfiniteadaptabilitytoallcircumstances。Butmanydiebeforetheyattaintothisdegree，andthepast—mastersinthecraftappearforthemostpartindress—clotheswhentheyareinEngland，andthustheirgloryishiddenfromthemultitude。
DickfollowedTorpenhowwhereverthelatter’sfancychosetoleadhim，andbetweenthetwotheymanagedtoaccomplishsomeworkthatalmostsatisfiedthemselves。Itwasnotaneasylifeinanyway，andunderitsinfluencethetwoweredrawnvercloselytogether，fortheyatefromthesamedish，theysharedthesamewater—bottle，and，mostbindingtieofall，theirmailswentofftogether。ItwasDickwhomanagedtomakegloriouslydrunkatelegraph—clerkinapalmhutfarbeyondtheSecondCataract，and，whilethemanlayinblissonthefloor，possessedhimselfofsomelaboriouslyacquiredexclusiveinformation，forwardedbyaconfidingcorrespondentofanoppositionsyndicate，madeacarefulduplicateofthematter，andbroughttheresulttoTorpenhow，whosaidthatallwasfairinloveorwarcorrespondence，andbuiltanexcellentdescriptivearticlefromhisrival’sriotouswasteofwords。ItwasTorpenhowwho——butthetaleoftheiradventures，togetherandapart，fromPhilaetothewastewildernessofHerawiandMuella，wouldfillmanybooks。Theyhadbeenpennedintoasquaresidebyside，indeadlyfearofbeingshotbyover—excitedsoldiers；theyhadfoughtwithbaggage—camelsinthechilldawn；theyhadjoggedalonginsilenceunderblindingsunonindefatigablelittleEgyptianhorses；andtheyhadflounderedontheshallowsoftheNilewhenthewhale—boatinwhichtheyhadfoundaberthchosetohitahiddenrockandripouthalfherbottom—planks。
Nowtheyweresittingonthesand—bank，andthewhale—boatswerebringinguptheremainderofthecolumn。
’Yes，’saidTorpenhow，asheputthelastrudestitchesintohisover—long—neglectedgear，’ithasbeenabeautifulbusiness。’
’Thepatchorthecampaign？’saidDick。’Don’tthinkmuchofeither，myself。’
’YouwanttheEuryalusbroughtupabovetheThirdCataract，don’tyou？
andeighty—one—tongunsatJakdul？Now，I’mquitesatisfiedwithmybreeches。’Heturnedroundgravelytoexhibithimself，afterthemannerofaclown。
’It’sverypretty。Speciallytheletteringonthesack。G。B。T。GovernmentBullockTrain。That’sasackfromIndia。’
’It’smyinitials，——GilbertBellingTorpenhow。Istoletheclothonpurpose。
Whatthemischiefarethecamel—corpsdoingyonder？’Torpenhowshadedhiseyesandlookedacrossthescrub—strewngravel。
Abugleblewfuriously，andthemenonthebankhurriedtotheirarmsandaccoutrements。
’\"Pisansoldierysurprisedwhilebathing，\"’remarkedDick，calmly。
’D’yourememberthepicture？It’sbyMichaelAngelo；allbeginnerscopyit。Thatscrub’salivewithenemy。’
Thecamel—corpsonthebankyelledtotheinfantrytocometothem，andahoarseshoutingdowntherivershowedthattheremainderofthecolumnhadwindofthetroubleandwashasteningtotakeshareinit。Asswiftlyasareachofstillwateriscrispedbythewind，therock—strewnridgesandscrub—toppedhillsweretroubledandalivewitharmedmen。
Mercifully，itoccurredtothesetostandfaroffforatime，toshoutandgesticulatejoyously。Onemanevendeliveredhimselfofalongstory。Thecamel—corpsdidnotfire。Theywereonlytoogladofalittlebreathing—space，untilsomesortofsquarecouldbeformed。Themenonthesand—bankrantotheirside；andthewhale—boats，astheytoiledupwithinshoutingdistance，werethrustintothenearestbankandemptiedofallsavethesickandafewmentoguardthem。TheAraboratorceasedhisoutcries，andhisfriendshowled。
’TheylookliketheMahdi’smen，’saidTorpenhow，elbowinghimselfintothecrushofthesquare；’butwhatthousandsof’emthereare！Thetribeshereaboutaren’tagainstus，Iknow。’
’ThentheMahdi’stakenanothertown，’saidDick，’andsetalltheseyelpingdevilsfreetoshowusup。Lendusyourglass。’
’Ourscoutsshouldhavetoldusofthis。We’vebeentrapped，’saidasubaltern。’Aren’tthecamelgunsevergoingtobegin？Hurryup，youmen！’
Therewasnoneedofanyorder。Themenflungthemselvespantingagainstthesidesofthesquare，fortheyhadgoodreasontoknowthatwhosowasleftoutsidewhenthefightingbeganwouldveryprobablydieinanextremelyunpleasantfashion。Thelittlehundred—and—fifty—poundcamel—gunspostedatonecornerofthesquareopenedtheballasthesquaremovedforwardbyitsrighttogetpossessionofaknollofrisingground。Allhadfoughtinthismannermanytimesbefore，andtherewasnonoveltyintheentertainment；alwaysthesamehotandstiflingformation，thesmellofdustandleather，thesameboltlikerushoftheenemy，thesamepressureontheweakestside，thefewminutesofhand—to—handscuffle，andthenthesilenceofthedesert，brokenonlybytheyellsofthosewhomtheirhandfulofcavalryattemptedtopurse。Theyhadbecomecareless。Thecamel—gunsspokeatintervals，andthesquareslouchedforwardamidtheprotestingofthecamels。Thencametheattackofthreethousandmenwhohadnotlearnedfrombooksthatitisimpossiblefortroopsincloseordertoattackagainstbreech—loadingfire。
Afewdroppingshotsheraldedtheirapproach，andafewhorsemenled，butthebulkoftheforcewasnakedhumanity，madwithrage，andarmedwiththespearandthesword。Theinstinctofthedesert，wherethereisalwaysmuchwar，toldthemthattherightflankofthesquarewastheweakest，fortheyswungclearofthefront。Thecamel—gunsshelledthemastheypassedandopenedforaninstantlanesthroughtheirmidst，mostlikethosequick—closingvistasinaKentishhop—gardenseenwhenthetrainracesbyatfullspeed；andtheinfantryfire，heldtilltheopportunemoment，droppedtheminclose—packinghundreds。Nocivilisedtroopsintheworldcouldhaveenduredthehellthroughwhichtheycame，thelivingleapinghightoavoidthedyingwhoclutchedattheirheels，thewoundedcursingandstaggeringforward，tilltheyfell——atorrentblackastheslidingwateraboveamill—dam——fullontherightflankofthesquare。
Thenthelineofthedustytroopsandthefaintbluedesertskyoverheadwentoutinrollingsmoke，andthelittlestonesontheheatedgroundantthetinder—dryclumpsofscrubbecamemattersofsurpassinginterest，formenmeasuredtheiragonisedretreatandrecoverybythesethings，countingmechanicallyandhewingtheirwaybacktochosenpebbleandbranch。Therewasnosemblanceofanyconcertedfighting。Foraughtthemenknew，theenemymightbeattemptingallfoursidesofthesquareatonce。Theirbusinesswastodestroywhatlayinfrontofthem，tobayonetinthebackthosewhopassedoverthem，and，dying，todragdowntheslayertillhecouldbeknockedontheheadbysomeavenginggun—butt。
DickwaitedwithTorpenhowandayoungdoctortillthestressgrewunendurable。Itwashopelesstoattendtothewoundedtilltheattackwasrepulsed，sothethreemovedforwardgingerlytowardstheweakestsideofthesquare。Therewasarushfromwithout，theshorthough—houghofthestabbingspears，andamanonahorse，followedbythirtyorfortyothers，dashedthrough，yellingandhacking。Therightflankofthesquaresuckedinafterthem，andtheothersidessenthelp。Thewounded，whoknewthattheyhadbutafewhoursmoretolive，caughtattheenemy’sfeetandbroughtthemdown，or，staggeringintoadiscardedrifle，firedblindlyintothescufflethatragedinthecentreofthesquare。
Dickwasconsciousthatsomebodyhadcuthimviolentlyacrosshishelmet，thathehadfiredhisrevolverintoablack，foam—fleckedfacewhichforthwithceasedtobearanyresemblancetoaface，andthatTorpenhowhadgonedownunderanArabwhomhehadtriedto’collarlow，’andwasturningoverandoverwithhiscaptive，feelingfortheman’seyes。Thedoctorjabbedataventurewithabayonet，andahelmetlesssoldierfiredoverDick’sshoulder：theflyinggrainsofpowderstunghischeek。ItwastoTorpenhowthatDickturnedbyinstinct。TherepresentativeoftheCentralSouthernSyndicatehadshakenhimselfclearofhisenemy，androse，wipinghisthumbonhistrousers。TheArab，bothhandstohisforehead，screamedaloud，thensnatcheduphisspearandrushedatTorpenhow，whowaspantingundershelterofDick’srevolver。Dickfiredtwice，andthemandroppedlimply。Hisupturnedfacelackedoneeye。Themusketry—fireredoubled，butcheersmingledwithit。Therushhadfailedandtheenemywereflying。Iftheheartofthesquarewereshambles，thegroundbeyondwasabutcher’sshop。Dickthrusthiswayforwardbetweenthemaddenedmen。Theremnantoftheenemywereretiring，asthefew——theveryfew——Englishcavalryrodedownthelaggards。
Beyondthelinesofthedead，abroadblood—stainedArabspearcastasideintheretreatlayacrossastumpofscrub，andbeyondthisagaintheillimitabledarklevelsofthedesert。Thesuncaughtthesteelandturneditintoareddisc。Someonebehindhimwassaying，’Ah，getaway，youbrute！’Dickraisedhisrevolverandpointedtowardsthedesert。Hiseyewasheldbytheredspashinthedistance，andtheclamourabouthimseemedtodiedowntoaveryfar—awaywhisper，likethewhisperofalevelsea。Therewastherevolverandtheredlight……andthevoiceofsomeonescaringsomethingaway，exactlyashadfallensomewherebefore，——adarknessthatstung。Hefiredatrandom，andthebulletwentoutacrossthedesertashemuttered，’Spoiltmyaim。Therearen’tanymorecartridges。Weshallhavetorunhome。’Heputhishandtohisheadandbroughtitawaycoveredwithblood。
’Oldman，you’recutratherbadly，’saidTorpenhow。’Ioweyousomethingforthisbusiness。Thanks。Standup！Isay，youcan’tbeillhere。’
Throughoutthenight，whenthetroopswereencampedbythewhale—boats，ablackfiguredancedinthestrongmoonlightonthesand—barandshoutedthatKhartoumtheaccursedonewasdead，——wasdead，——wasdead，——thattwosteamerswererock—stakedontheNileoutsidethecity，andthatofalltheircrewsthereremainednotone；andKhartoumwasdead，——wasdead，——wasdead！
ButTorpenhowtooknoheed。HewaswatchingDick，whocalledaloudtotherestlessNileforMaisie，——andagainMaisie！？
’Beholdaphenomenon，’saidTorpenhow，rearrangingtheblanket。’Hereisaman，presumablyhuman，whomentionsthenameofonewomanonly。AndI’veseenagooddealofdelirium，too。——Dick，here’ssomefizzydrink。’
’Thankyou，Maisie，’saidDick。
CHAPTERIII
SohethinksheshalltaketotheseaagainForonemorecruisewithhisbuccaneers，TosingethebeardoftheKingofSpain，AndcaptureanotherDeanofJaenAndsellhiminAlgiers。——ADutchPicture。LongfellowTHESOUDANcampaignandDick’sbrokenheadhadbeensomemonthsendedandmended，andtheCentralSouthernSyndicatehadpaidDickacertainsumonaccountforworkdone，whichworktheywerecarefultoassurehimwasnotaltogetheruptotheirstandard。DickheavedtheletterintotheNileatCairo，cashedthedraftinthesametown，andbadeawarmfarewelltoTorpenhowatthestation。
’Iamgoingtolieupforawhileandrest，’saidTorpenhow。’Idon’tknowwhereIshallliveinLondon，butifGodbringsustomeet，weshallmeet。
Areyoustaryinghereontheoff—chanceofanotherrow？TherewillbenonetilltheSouthernSoudanisreoccupiedbyourtroops。Markthat。
Good—bye；blessyou；comebackwhenyourmoney’sspent；andgivemeyouraddress。’
DickloiteredinCairo，Alexandria，Ismailia，andPortSaid，——especiallyPortSaid。Thereisiniquityinmanypartsoftheworld，andviceinall，buttheconcentratedessenceofalltheiniquitiesandallthevicesinallthecontinentsfindsitselfatPortSaid。Andthroughtheheartofthatsand—borderedhell，wherethemirageflickersdaylongabovetheBitterLake，move，ifyouwillonlywait，mostofthemenandwomenyouhaveknowninthislife。Dickestablishedhimselfinquartersmoreriotousthanrespectable。Hespenthiseveningsonthequay，andboardedmanyships，andsawverymanyfriends，——graciousEnglishwomenwithwhomhehadtalkednottoowiselyintheverandaofShepherd’sHotel，hurryingwarcorrespondents，skippersofthecontracttroop—shipsemployedinthecampaign，armyofficersbythescore，andothersoflessreputabletrades。
HehadchoiceofalltheracesoftheEastandWestforstudies，andtheadvantageofseeinghissubjectsundertheinfluenceofstrongexcitement，atthegaming—tables，saloons，dancing—hells，andelsewhere。ForrecreationtherewasthestraightvistaoftheCanal，theblazingsands，theprocessionofshipping，andthewhitehospitalswheretheEnglishsoldierslay。HestrovetosetdowninblackandwhiteandcolourallthatProvidencesenthim，andwhenthatsupplywasendedsoughtaboutforfreshmaterial。Itwasafascinatingemployment，butitranawaywithhismoney，andhehaddrawninadvancethehundredandtwentypoundstowhichhewasentitledyearly。’NowIshallhavetoworkandstarve！’
thoughthe，andwasaddressinghimselftothisnewfatewhenamysterioustelegramarrivedfromTorpenhowinEngland，whichsaid，’Comeback，quick；youhavecaughton。Come。’
Alargesmileoverspreadhisface。’Sosoon！that’sagoodhearing，’saidhetohimself。’Therewillbeanorgyto—night。I’llstandorfallbymyluck。Faith，it’stimeitcame！’Hedepositedhalfofhisfundsinthehandsofhiswell—knownfriendsMonsieurandMadameBinat，andorderedhimselfaZanzibardanceofthefinest。MonsieurBinatwasshakingwithdrink，butMadamesmilessympathetically——
’Monsieurneedsachair，ofcourse，andofcourseMonsieurwillsketch；
Monsieuramuseshimselfstrangely。’
Binatraisedablue—whitefacefromacotintheinnerroom。’I
understand，’hequavered。’WeallknowMonsieur。Monsieurisanartist，asIhavebeen。’Dicknodded。’Intheend，’saidBinat，withgravity，’Monsieurwilldescendaliveintohell，asIhavedescended。’Andhelaughed。
’Youmustcometothedance，too，’saidDick；’Ishallwantyou。’
’Formyface？Iknewitwouldbeso。Formyface？MyGod！andformydegradationsotremendous！Iwillnot。Takehimaway。Heisadevil。Oratleastdothou，Celeste，demandofhimmore。’TheexcellentBinatbegantokickandscream。
’AllthingsareforsaleinPortSaid，’saidMadame。’Ifmyhusbandcomesitwillbesomuchmore。Eh，’howyoucall——’alfasovereign。’
Themoneywaspaid，andthemaddancewasheldatnightinawalledcourtyardatthebackofMadameBinat’shouse。Theladyherself，infadedmauvesilkalwaysabouttoslidefromheryellowshoulders，playedthepiano，andtothetin—potmusicofaWesternwaltzthenakedZanzibarigirlsdancedfuriouslybythelightofkerosenelamps。Binatsatuponachairandstaredwitheyesthatsawnothing，tillthewhirlofthedanceandtheclangoftherattlingpianostoleintothedrinkthattooktheplaceofbloodinhisveins，andhisfaceglistened。Dicktookhimbythechinbrutallyandturnedthatfacetothelight。MadameBinatlookedoverhershoulderandsmiledwithmanyteeth。Dickleanedagainstthewallandsketchedforanhour，tillthekerosenelampsbegantosmell，andthegirlsthrewthemselvespantingonthehard—beatenground。Thenheshuthisbookwithasnapandmovedaway，Binatpluckingfeeblyathiselbow。’Showme，’hewhimpered。’Itoowasonceanartist，evenI！’Dickshowedhimtheroughsketch。’AmIthat？’hescreamed。’WillyoutakethatawaywithyouandshowalltheworldthatitisI，——Binat？’Hemoanedandwept。
’Monsieurhaspaidforall，’saidMadame。’TothepleasureofseeingMonsieuragain。’
Thecourtyardgateshut，andDickhurriedupthesandystreettothenearestgambling—hell，wherehewaswellknown。’Iftheluckholds，it’sanomen；ifIlose，Imuststayhere。’Heplacedhismoneypicturesquelyabouttheboard，hardlydaringtolookatwhathedid。Theluckheld。
Threeturnsofthewheellefthimricherbytwentypounds，andhewentdowntotheshippingtomakefriendswiththecaptainofadecayedcargo—steamer，wholandedhiminLondonwithfewerpoundsinhispocketthanhecaredtothinkabout。
Athingrayfoghungoverthecity，andthestreetswereverycold；forsummerwasinEngland。
’It’sacheerfulwilderness，andithasn’ttheknackofalteringmuch，’Dickthought，ashetrampedfromtheDockswestward。’Now，whatmustI
do？’
Thepackedhousesgavenoanswer。Dicklookeddownthelonglightlessstreetsandattheappallingrushoftraffic。’Oh，yourabbit—hutches！’saidhe，addressingarowofhighlyrespectablesemi—detachedresidences。’Doyouknowwhatyou’vegottodolateron？Youhavetosupplymewithmen—servantsandmaid—servants，’——herehesmackedhislips，——’andthepeculiartreasureofkings。MeantimeI’llclothesandboots，andpresentlyIwillreturnandtrampleonyou。’Hesteppedforwardenergetically；hesawthatoneofhisshoeswasburstattheside。Ashestoopedtomakeinvestigations，amanjostledhimintothegutter。’Allright，’hesaid。
’That’sanothernickinthescore。I’lljostleyoulateron。’
Goodclothesandbootsarenotcheap，andDicklefthislastshopwiththecertaintythathewouldberespectablyarrayedforatime，butwithonlyfiftyshillingsinhispocket。HereturnedtostreetsbytheDocks，andlodgedhimselfinoneroom，wherethesheetsonthebedwerealmostaudiblymarkedincaseoftheft，andwherenobodyseemedtogotobedatall。WhenhisclothesarrivedhesoughttheCentralSouthernSyndicateforTorpenhow’saddress，andgotit，withtheintimationthattherewasstillsomemoneywaitingforhim。
’Howmuch？’saidDick，asonewhohabituallydealtinmillions。
’Betweenthirtyandfortypounds。Ifitwouldbeanyconveniencetoyou，ofcoursewecouldletyouhaveitatonce；butweusuallysettleaccountsmonthly。’
’IfIshowthatIwantanythingnow，I’mlost，’hesaidtohimself。’AllI
needI’lltakelateron。’Then，aloud，’It’shardlyworthwhile；andI’mgoingtothecountryforamonth，too。WaittillIcomeback，andI’llseeaboutit。’
’Butwetrust，Mr。Heldar，thatyoudonotintendtoseveryourconnectionwithus？’
Dick’sbusinessinlifewasthestudyoffaces，andhewatchedthespeakerkeenly。’Thatmanmeanssomething，’hesaid。’I’lldonobusinesstillI’veseenTorpenhow。There’sabigdealcoming。’Sohedeparted，makingnopromises，tohisonelittleroombytheDocks。Andthatdaywastheseventhofthemonth，andthatmonth，hereckonedwithawfuldistinctness，hadthirty—onedaysinit！？
Itisnoteasyforamanofcatholictastesandhealthyappetitestoexistfortwenty—fourdaysonfiftyshillings。NorisitcheeringtobegintheexperimentaloneinallthelonelinessofLondon。Dickpaidsevenshillingsaweekforhislodging，whichlefthimratherlessthanashillingadayforfoodanddrink。Naturally，hisfirstpurchasewasofthematerialsofhiscraft；hehadbeenwithoutthemtoolong。Halfaday’sinvestigationsandcomparisonbroughthimtotheconclusionthatsausagesandmashedpotatoes，twopenceaplate，werethebestfood。Now，sausagesonceortwiceaweekforbreakfastarenotunpleasant。Aslunch，even，withmashedpotatoes，theybecomemonotonous。Atdinnertheyareimpertinent。AttheendofthreedaysDickloathedsausages，and，going，forth，pawnedhiswatchtorevelonsheep’shead，whichisnotascheapasitlooks，owingtothebonesandthegravy。Thenhereturnedtosausagesandmashedpotatoes。Thenheconfinedhimselfentirelytomashedpotatoesforaday，andwasunhappybecauseofpaininhisinside。Thenhepawnedhiswaistcoatandhistie，andthoughtregretfullyofmoneythrownawayintimespast。TherearefewthingsmoreedifyinguntoArtthantheactualbelly—pinchofhunger，andDickinhisfewwalksabroad，——hedidnotcareforexercise；itraiseddesiresthatcouldnotbesatisfied——foundhimselfdividingmankindintotwoclasses，——thosewholookedasiftheymightgivehimsomethingtoeat，andthosewholookedotherwise。’IneverknewwhatIhadtolearnaboutthehumanfacebefore，’hethought；and，asarewardforhishumility，Providencecausedacab—driveratasausage—shopwhereDickfedthatnighttoleavehalfeatenagreatchunkofbread。Dicktookit，——wouldhavefoughtalltheworldforitspossession，——anditcheeredhim。
Themonthdraggedthroughatlast，and，nearlyprancingwithimpatience，hewenttodrawhismoney。ThenhehastenedtoTorpenhow’saddressandsmeltthesmellofcookingmeatsallalongthecorridorsofthechambers。Torpenhowwasonthetopfloor，andDickburstintohisroom，tobereceivedwithahugwhichnearlycrackedhisribs，asTorpenhowdraggedhimtothelightandspokeoftwentydifferentthingsinthesamebreath。
’Butyou’relookingtuckedup，’heconcluded。
’Gotanythingtoeat？’saidDick，hiseyeroamingroundtheroom。
’Ishallbehavingbreakfastinaminute。Whatdoyousaytosausages？’
’No，anythingbutsausages！Torp，I’vebeenstarvingonthataccursedhorse—fleshforthirtydaysandthirtynights。’
’Now，whatlunacyhasbeenyourlatest？’
Dickspokeofthelastfewweekswithunbridledspeech。Thenheopenedhiscoat；therewasnowaistcoatbelow。’Iranitfine，awfullyfine，butI’vejustscrapedthrough。’
’Youhaven’tmuchsense，butyou’vegotabackbone，anyhow。Eat，andtalkafterwards。’Dickfelluponeggsandbaconandgorgedtillhecouldgorgenomore。Torpenhowhandedhimafilledpipe，andhesmokedasmensmokewhoforthreeweekshavebeendeprivedofgoodtobacco。
’Ouf！’saidhe。’That’sheavenly！Well？’
’Whyintheworlddidn’tyoucometome？’
’Couldn’t；Ioweyoutoomuchalready，oldman。BesidesIhadasortofsuperstitionthatthistemporarystarvation——that’swhatitwas，andithurt——wouldbringmelucklater。It’soveranddonewithnow，andnoneofthesyndicateknowhowhardupIwas。Fireaway。What’stheexactstateofaffairsasregardsmyself？’
’Youhadmywire？You’vecaughtonhere。Peoplelikeyourworkimmensely。Idon’tknowwhy，buttheydo。Theysayyouhaveafreshtouchandanewwayofdrawingthings。And，becausethey’rechieflyhome—bredEnglish，theysayyouhaveinsight。You’rewantedbyhalfadozenpapers；you’rewantedtoillustratebooks。’
Dickgruntedscornfully。
’You’rewantedtoworkupyoursmallersketchesandsellthemtothedealers。Theyseemtothinkthemoneysunkinyouisagoodinvestment。
GoodLord！whocanaccountforthefathomlessfollyofthepublic？’
’They’rearemarkablysensiblepeople。’
’Theyaresubjecttofits，ifthat’swhatyoumean；andyouhappentobetheobjectofthelatestfitamongthosewhoareinterestedinwhattheycallArt。Justnowyou’reafashion，aphenomenon，orwhateveryouplease。Iappearedtobetheonlypersonwhoknewanythingaboutyouhere，andIhavebeenshowingthemostusefulmenafewofthesketchesyougavemefromtimetotime。ThosecomingafteryourworkontheCentralSouthernSyndicateappeartohavedoneyourbusiness。You’reinluck。’
’Huh！callitluck！Docallitluck，whenamanhasbeenkickingabouttheworldlikeadog，waitingforittocome！I’llluck’emlateron。Iwantaplacetoworkfirst。’
’Comehere，’saidTorpenhow，crossingthelanding。’Thisplaceisabigboxroomreally，butitwilldoforyou。There’syourskylight，oryournorthlight，orwhateverwindowyoucallit，andplentyofroomtothrashaboutin，andabedroombeyond。Whatmoredoyouneed？’
’Goodenough，’saidDick，lookingroundthelargeroomthattookupathirdofatopstoryinthericketychambersoverlookingtheThames。A
paleyellowsunshonethroughtheskylightandshowedthemuchdirtoftheplace。Threestepsledfromthedoortothelanding，andthreemoretoTorpenhow’sroom。Thewellofthestaircasedisappearedintodarkness，prickedbytinygas—jets，andthereweresoundsofmentalkinganddoorsslammingsevenflightsbelow，inthewarmgloom。
’Dotheygiveyouafreehandhere？’saidDick，cautiously。HewasIshmaelenoughtoknowthevalueofliberty。
’Anythingyoulike；latch—keysandlicenseunlimited。Wearepermanenttenantsforthemostparthere。’Tisn’taplaceIwouldrecommendforaYoungMen’sChristianAssociation，butitwillserve。ItooktheseroomsforyouwhenIwired。’
’You’reagreatdealtookind，oldman。’
’Youdidn’tsupposeyouweregoingawayfromme，didyou？’TorpenhowputhishandonDick’sshoulder，andthetwowalkedupanddowntheroom，henceforwardtobecalledthestudio，insweetandsilentcommunion。TheyheardrappingatTorpenhow’sdoor。’That’ssomeruffiancomeupforadrink，’saidTorpenhow；andheraisedhisvoicecheerily。Thereenterednoonemoreruffianlythanaportlymiddle—agedgentlemaninasatin—facedfrockcoat。Hislipswerepartedandpale，andthereweredeeppouchesundertheeyes。
’Weakheart，’saidDicktohimself，and，asheshookhands，’veryweakheart。Hispulseisshakinghisfingers。’
ThemanintroducedhimselfastheheadoftheCentralSouthernSyndicateand’oneofthemostardentadmirersofyourwork，Mr。
Heldar。Iassureyou，inthenameofthesyndicate，thatweareimmenselyindebtedtoyou；andItrust，Mr。Heldar，youwon’tforgetthatwewerelargelyinstrumentalinbringingyoubeforethepublic。’Hepantedbecauseofthesevenflightsofstairs。
DickglancedatTorpenhow，whoselefteyelidlayforamomentdeadonhischeek。
’Ishan’tforget，’saidDick，everyinstinctofdefencerousedinhim。
’You’vepaidmesowellthatIcouldn’t，youknow。Bytheway，whenI
amsettledinthisplaceIshouldliketosendandgetmysketches。Theremustbenearlyahundredandfiftyofthemwithyou。’
’Thatiser——iswhatIcametospeakabout。Ifearwecan’tallowitexactly，Mr。Heldar。Intheabsenceofanyspecifiedagreement，thesketchesareourproperty，ofcourse。’
’Doyoumeantosaythatyouaregoingtokeepthem？’
’Yes；andwehopetohaveyourhelp，onyourownterms，Mr。Heldar，toassistusinarrangingalittleexhibition，which，backedbyournameandtheinfluencewenaturallycommandamongthepress，shouldbeofmaterialservicetoyou。Sketchessuchasyours————’
’Belongtome。Youengagedmebywire，youpaidmethelowestratesyoudared。Youcan’tmeantokeepthem！GoodGodalive，man，they’reallI’vegotintheworld！’
TorpenhowwatchedDick’sfaceandwhistled。
Dickwalkedupanddown，thinking。Hesawthewholeofhislittlestockintrade，thefirstweaponofhisequipment，annexedattheoutsetofhiscampaignbyanelderlygentlemanwhosenameDickhadnotcaughtaright，whosaidthatherepresentedasyndicate，whichwasathingforwhichDickhadnottheleastreverence。Theinjusticeoftheproceedingsdidnotmuchmovehim；hehadseenthestronghandprevailtooofteninotherplacestobesqueamishoverthemoralaspectsofrightandwrong。
Butheardentlydesiredthebloodofthegentlemaninthefrockcoat，andwhenhespokeagain，andwhenhespokeagainitwaswithastrainedsweetnessthatTorpenhowknewwellforthebeginningofstrife。
’Forgiveme，sir，butyouhaveno——noyoungermanwhocanarrangethisbusinesswithme？’
’Ispeakforthesyndicate。Iseenoreasonforathirdpartyto————’
’Youwillinaminute。Begoodenoughtogivebackmysketches。’
ThemanstaredblanklyatDick，andthenatTorpenhow，whowasleaningagainstthewall。Hewasnotusedtoex—employeeswhoorderedhimtobegoodenoughtodothings。
’Yes，itisratheracold—bloodedsteal，’saidTorpenhow，critically；’butI’mafraid，Iamverymuchafraid，you’vestruckthewrongman。Becareful，Dick；remember，thisisn’ttheSoudan。’
’Consideringwhatservicesthesyndicatehavedoneyouinputtingyournamebeforetheworld————’
Thiswasnotafortunateremark；itremindedDickofcertainvagrantyearslivedoutinlonelinessandstrifeandunsatisfieddesires。Thememorydidnotcontrastwellwiththeprosperousgentlemanwhoproposedtoenjoythefruitofthoseyears。
’Idon’tknowquitewhattodowithyou，’beganDick，meditatively。’Ofcourseyou’reathief，andyououghttobehalfkilled，butinyourcaseyou’dprobablydie。Idon’twantyoudeadonthisfloor，and，besides，it’sunluckyjustasone’smovingin。Don’thit，sir；you’llonlyexciteyourself。’
Heputonehandontheman’sforearmandrantheotherdowntheplumpbodybeneaththecoat。’Mygoodness！’saidhetoTorpenhow，’andthisgrayoafdarestobeathief！IhaveseenanEsnehcamel—driverhavetheblackhidetakenoffhisbodyinstripsforstealinghalfapoundofwetdates，andhewasastoughaswhipcord。Thisthings’softallover——likeawoman。’
Therearefewthingsmorepoignantlyhumiliatingthanbeinghandledbyamanwhodoesnotintendtostrike。Theheadofthesyndicatebegantobreatheheavily。Dickwalkedroundhim，pawinghim，asacatpawsasofthearth—rug。Thenhetracedwithhisforefingertheleadenpouchesunderneaththeeyes，andshookhishead。’Youweregoingtostealmythings，——mine，mine，mine！——you，whodon’tknowwhenyoumaydie。
Writeanotetoyouroffice，——yousayyou’retheheadofit，——andorderthemtogiveTorpenhowmysketches，——everyoneofthem。Waitaminute：
yourhand’sshaking。Now！’Hethrustapocket—bookbeforehim。Thenotewaswritten。Torpenhowtookitanddepartedwithoutaword，whileDickwalkedroundandroundthespellboundcaptive，givinghimsuchadviceasheconceivedbestforthewelfareofhissoul。WhenTorpenhowreturnedwithagiganticportfolio，heheardDicksay，almostsoothingly，’Now，Ihopethiswillbealessontoyou；andifyouworrymewhenI
havesettleddowntoworkwithanynonsenseaboutactionsforassault，believeme，I’llcatchyouandmanhandleyou，andyou’lldie。Youhaven’tverylongtolive，anyhow。Go！Imshi，Vootsak，——getout！’Themandeparted，staggeringanddazed。Dickdrewalongbreath：’Phew！whatalawlesslotthesepeopleare！Thefirstthingapoororphanmeetsisgangrobbery，organisedburglary！Thinkofthehideousblacknessofthatman’smind！Aremysketchesallright，Torp？’
’Yes；onehundredandforty—sevenofthem。Well，Imustsay，Dick，you’vebegunwell。’
’Hewasinterferingwithme。Itonlymeantafewpoundstohim，butitwaseverythingtome。Idon’tthinkhe’llbringanaction。Igavehimsomemedicaladvicegratisaboutthestateofhisbody。Itwascheapatthelittleflurryitcosthim。Now，let’slookatmythings。’
TwominuteslaterDickhadthrownhimselfdownonthefloorandwasdeepintheportfolio，chucklinglovinglyasheturnedthedrawingsoverandthoughtofthepriceatwhichtheyhadbeenbought。