’DoyourememberwhereIusedtokeepmybank—book？’saidhe。’Torptookittobebalancedjustbeforehewentaway。Lookandsee。’
’Itwasgenerallyunderthetobacco—jar。Ah！’
’Well？’
’Oh！Fourthousandtwohundredandtenpoundsnineshillingsandapenny！Ohmy！’
’Youcanhavethepenny。That’snotbadforoneyear’swork。Isthatandahundredandtwentypoundsayeargoodenough？’
Theidlenessandtheprettyclotheswerealmostwithinherreachnow，butshemust，bybeinghousewifely，showthatshedeservedthem。
’Yes；butyou’dhavetomove，andifwetookaninventory，Ithinkwe’dfindthatMr。Beetonhasbeenprigginglittlethingsoutoftheroomshereandthere。Theydon’tlookasfullastheyused。’
’Nevermind，we’lllethimhavethem。TheonlythingI’mparticularlyanxioustotakeawayisthatpictureIusedyoufor——whenyouusedtoswearatme。We’llpulloutofthisplace，Bess，andgetawayasfaraseverwecan。’
’Ohyes，’shesaiduneasily。
’Idon’tknowwhereIcangotogetawayfrommyself，butI’lltry，andyoushallhavealltheprettyfrocksthatyoucarefor。You’lllikethat。
Givemethatkissnow，Bess。Yegods！it’sgoodtoputone’sarmroundawoman’swaistagain。’
Thencamethefulfilmentoftheprophecywithinthebrain。IfhisarmwerethusroundMaisie’swaistandakisshadjustbeengivenandtakenbetweenthem，——whythen……Hepressedthegirlmorecloselytohimselfbecausethepainwhippedhim。ShewaswonderinghowtoexplainalittleaccidenttotheMelancolia。Atanyrate，ifthismanreallydesiredthesolaceofhercompany——andcertainlyhewouldrelapseintohisoriginalsloughifshewithdrewit——hewouldnotbemorethanjustalittlevexed。
Itwouldbedelightfulatleasttoseewhatwouldhappen，andbyherteachingsitwasgoodforamantostandincertainaweofhiscompanion。
Shelaughednervously，andslippedoutofhisreach。
’Ishouldn’tworritaboutthatpictureifIwasyou，’shebegan，inthehopeofturninghisattention。
’It’satthebackofallmycanvasessomewhere。Findit，Bess；youknowitaswellasIdo。’
’Iknow——but——’
’Butwhat？You’vewitenoughtomanagethesaleofittoadealer。
Womenhagglemuchbetterthanmen。Itmightbeamatterofeightorninehundredpoundsto——tous。Isimplydidn’tliketothinkaboutitforalongtime。Itwasmixedupwithmylifeso。——Butwe’llcoverupourtracksandgetridofeverything，eh？Makeafreshstartfromthebeginning，Bess。’
Thenshebegantorepentverymuchindeed，becausesheknewthevalueofmoney。Still，itwasprobablethattheblindmanwasoverestimatingthevalueofhiswork。Gentlemen，sheknew，wereabsurdlyparticularabouttheirthings。Shegiggledasanervoushousemaidgiggleswhenshetriestoexplainthebreakageofapipe。
’I’mverysorry，butyourememberIwas——IwasangrywithyoubeforeMr。Torpenhowwentaway？’
’Youwereveryangry，child；andonmywordIthinkyouhadsomerighttobe。’
’ThenI——butaren’tyousureMr。Torpenhowdidn’ttellyou？’
’Tellmewhat？Goodgracious，whatareyoumakingsuchafussaboutwhenyoumightjustaswellbegivingmeanotherkiss？’
Hewasbeginningtolearn，notforthefirsttimeinhisexperience，thatkissingisacumulativepoison。Themoreyougetofit，themoreyouwant。
Bessiegavethekisspromptly，whispering，asshedidso，’IwassoangryI
rubbedoutthatpicturewiththeturpentine。Youaren’tangry，areyou？’
’What？Saythatagain。’Theman’shandhadclosedonherwrist。
’Irubbeditoutwithturpsandtheknife，’falteredBessie。’Ithoughtyou’donlyhavetodoitoveragain。Youdiddoitoveragain，didn’tyou？
Oh，letgoofmywrist；you’rehurtingme。’
’Isn’tthereanythingleftofthething？’
’N’nothingthatlookslikeanything。I’msorry——Ididn’tknowyou’dtakeonaboutit；Ionlymeanttodoitinfun。Youaren’tgoingtohitme？’
’Hityou！No！Let’sthink。’
Hedidnotrelaxhisholduponherwristbutstoodstaringatthecarpet。
Thenheshookhisheadasayoungsteershakesitwhenthelashofthestock—whipcrosshisnosewarnshimbacktothepathontotheshamblesthathewouldescape。ForweekshehadforcedhimselfnottothinkoftheMelancolia，becauseshewasapartofhisdeadlife。WithBessie’sreturnandcertainnewprospectsthathaddevelopedthemselves，theMelancolia——lovelierinhisimaginationthanshehadeverbeenoncanvas——reappeared。ByheraidhemighthaveprocuredmormoneywherewithtoamuseBessandtoforgetMaisie，aswellasanothertasteofanalmostforgottensuccess。Now，thankstoaviciouslittlehousemaid’sfolly，therewasnothingtolookfor——noteventhehopethathemightsomedaytakeanabidinginterestinthehousemaid。Worstofall，hehadbeenmadetoappearridiculousinMaisie’seyes。Awomanwillforgivethemanwhohasruinedherlife’sworksolongashegivesherlove；amanmayforgivethosewhoruintheloveofhislife，buthewillneverforgivethedestructionofhiswork。
’Tck——tck——tck，’saidDickbetweenhisteeth，andthenlaughedsoftly。’It’sanomen，Bessie，and——agoodmanythingsconsidered，itservesmerightfordoingwhatIhavedone。ByJove！thataccountsforMaisie’srunningaway。Shemusthavethoughtmeperfectlymad——smallblametoher！Thewholepictureruined，isn’titso？Whatmadeyoudoit？’
’BecauseIwasthatangry。I’mnotangrynow——I’mawfulsorry。’
’Iwonder。——Itdoesn’tmatter，anyhow。I’mtoblameformakingthemistake。’
’Whatmistake？’
’Somethingyouwouldn’tunderstand，dear。Greatheavens！tothinkthatalittlepieceofdirtlikeyoucouldthrowmeoutofstride！’DickwastalkingtohimselfasBessietriedtoshakeoffhisgriponherwrist。
’Iain’tapieceofdirt，andyoushouldn’tcallmeso！Ididit’causeIhatedyou，andI’monlysorrynow’causeyou’re——’causeyou’re————’
’Exactly——becauseI’mblind。There’snotingliketactinlittlethings。’
Bessiebegantosob。Shedidnotlikebeingshackledagainstherwill；shewasafraidoftheblindfaceandthelookuponit，andwassorrytoothathergreatrevengehadonlymadeDicklaugh。
’Don’tcry，’hesaid，andtookherintohisarms。’Youonlydidwhatyouthoughtright。’
’I——Iain’talittlepieceofdirt，andifyousaythatI’llnevercometoyouagain。’
’Youdon’tknowwhatyou’vedonetome。I’mnotangry——indeed，I’mnot。
Bequietforaminute。’
Bessieremainedinhisarmsshrinking。Dick’sfirstthoughtwasconnectedwithMaisie，andithurthimaswhite—hotironhurtsanopensore。
Notfornothingisamanpermittedtoallyhimselftothewrongwoman。
Thefirstpang——thefirstsenseofthingslostisbutthepreludetotheplay，fortheveryjustProvidencewhodelightsincausingpainhasdecreedthattheagonyshallreturn，andthatinthemidstofkeenestpleasure。
Theyknowthispainequallywhohaveforsakenorbeenforsakenbytheloveoftheirlife，andintheirnewwives’armsarecompelledtorealiseit。
Itisbettertoremainaloneandsufferonlythemiseryofbeingalone，solongasitispossibletofinddistractionindailywork。Whenthatresourcegoesthemanistobepitiedandleftalone。
ThesethingsandsomeothersDickconsideredwhilehewasholdingBessietohisheart。
’Thoughyoumayn’tknowit，’hesaid，raisinghishead，’theLordisajustandaterribleGod，Bess；withaverystrongsenseofhumour。Itservesmeright——howitservesmeright！Torpcouldunderstanditifhewerehere；hemusthavesufferedsomethingatyourhands，child，butonlyforaminuteorso。Isavedhim。Setthattomycredit，someone。’
’Letmego，’saidBess，herfacedarkening。’Letmego。’
’Allingoodtime。DidyoueverattendSundayschool？’
’Never。Letmego，Itellyou；you’remakingfunofme。’
’Indeed，I’mnot。I’mmakingfunofmyself……Thus。\"Hesavedothers，himselfhecannotsave。\"Itisn’texactlyaschool—boardtext。’Hereleasedherwrist，butsincehewasbetweenherandthedoor，shecouldnotescape。’Whatanenormousamountofmischiefonelittlewomancando！’
’I’msorry；I’mawfulsorryaboutthepicture。’
’I’mnot。I’mgratefultoyouforspoilingit……Whatwerewetalkingaboutbeforeyoumentionedthething？’
’Aboutgettingaway——andmoney。Meandyougoingaway。’
’Ofcourse。Wewillgetaway——thatistosay，Iwill。’
’Andme？’
’Youshallhavefiftywholepoundsforspoilingapicture。’
’Thenyouwon’t————？’
’I’mafraidnot，dear。Thinkoffiftypoundsforprettythingsalltoyourself。’
’Yousaidyoucouldn’tdoanythingwithoutme。’
’Thatwastruealittlewhileago。I’mbetternow，thankyou。Getmemyhat。’
’S’poseIdon’t？’
’Beetonwill，andyou’lllosefiftypounds。That’sall。Getit。’
Bessiecursedunderherbreath。Shehadpitiedthemansincerely，hadkissedhimwithalmostequalsincerity，forhewasnotunhandsome；itpleasedhertobeinawayandforatimehisprotector，andabovealltherewerefourthousandpoundstobehandledbysomeone。Nowthroughaslipofthetongueandalittlefemininedesiretogivealittle，nottoomuch，painshehadlostthemoney，theblessedidlenessandtheprettythings，thecompanionship，andthechanceoflookingoutwardlyasrespectableasareallady。
’Nowfillmeapipe。Tobaccodoesn’ttaste，butitdoesn’tmatter，andI’llthinkthingsout。What’sthedayoftheweek，Bess？’
’Tuesday。’
’ThenThursday’smail—day。Whatafool——whatablindfoolIhavebeen！？
Twenty—twopoundscoversmypassagehomeagain。Allowtenforadditionalexpenses。WemustputupatMadamBinat’sforoldtime’ssake。Thirty—twopoundsaltogether。Addahundredforthecostofthelasttrip——Gad，won’tTorpstaretoseeme！——ahundredandthirty—twoleavesseventy—eightforbaksheesh——Ishallneedit——andtoplaywith。
Whatareyoucryingfor，Bess？Itwasn’tyourfault，child；itwasminealtogether。Oh，youfunnylittleopossum，mopyoureyesandtakemeout！？
Iwantthepass—bookandthecheck—book。Stopaminute。Fourthousandpoundsatfourpercent——that’ssafeinterest——meansahundredandsixtypoundsayear；onehundredandtwentypoundsahear——alsosafe——istwoeighty，andtwohundredandeightypoundsaddedtothreehundredayearmeansgildedluxuryforasinglewoman。Bess，we’llgotothebank。’
Richerbytwohundredandtenpoundsstoredinhismoney—belt，DickcausedBessie，nowthoroughlybewildered，tohurryfromthebanktotheP。andO。offices，whereheexplainedthingstersely。
’PortSaid，singlefirst；cabinasclosetothebaggage—hatchaspossible。
Whatship’sgoing？’
’TheColgong，’saidtheclerk。
’She’sawetlittlehooker。IsitTilburyandatender，orGalleonsandthedocks？’
’Galleons。Twelve—forty，Thursday。’
’Thanks。Change，please。Ican’tseeverywell——willyoucountitintomyhand？’
’Iftheyalltooktheirpassageslikethatinsteadoftalkingabouttheirtrunks，lifewouldbeworthsomething，’saidtheclerktohisneighbour，whowastryingtoexplaintoaharassedmotherofmanythatcondensedmilkisjustasgoodforbabesatseaasdailydairy。Beingnineteenandunmarried，hespokewithconviction。
’Wearenow，’quothDick，astheyreturnedtothestudio，pattingtheplacewherehismoney—beltcoveredticketandmoney，’beyondthereachofman，ordevil，orwoman——whichismuchmoreimportant。I’vehadthreelittleaffairstocarrythroughbeforeThursday，butIneedn’taskyoutohelp，Bess。ComehereonThursdaymorningatnine。We’llbreakfast，andyoushalltakemedowntoGalleonsStation。’
’Whatareyougoingtodo？’
’Goingaway，ofcourse。WhatshouldIstayfor？’
’Butyoucan’tlookafteryourself？’
’Icandoanything。Ididn’trealiseitbefore，butIcan。I’vedoneagreatdealalready。ResolutionshallbetreatedtoonekissifBessiedoesn’tobject。’Strangelyenough，BessieobjectedandDicklaughed。’Isupposeyou’reright。Well，comeatninethedayafterto—morrowandyou’llgetyourmoney。’
’ShallIsure？’
’Idon’tbilk，andyouwon’tknowwhetherIdoornotunlessyoucome。
Oh，butit’slongandlongtowait！Good—bye，Bessie，——sendBeetonhereasyougoout。’
Thehousekeepercame。
’Whatareallthefittingsofmyroomsworth？’saidDick，imperiously。
’’Tisn’tformetosay，sir。Somethingsisveryprettyandsomeisworeoutdreadful。’
’I’minsuredfortwohundredandseventy。’
’Insurancepoliciesisnocriterion，thoughIdon’tsay————’
’Oh，damnyourlongwindedness！You’vemadeyourpickingsoutofmeandtheothertenants。Why，youtalkedofretiringandbuyingapublic—housetheotherday。Giveastraightanswertoastraightquestion。’
’Fifty，’saidMr。Beeton，withoutamoment’shesitation。
’Doubleit；orI’llbreakuphalfmysticksandburntherest。’
Hefelthiswaytoabookstandthatsupportedapileofsketch—books，andwrenchedoutoneofthemahoganypillars。
’That’ssinful，sir，’saidthehousekeeper，alarmed。
’It’smyown。Onehundredor————’
’Onehundreditis。It’llcostmethreeandsixtogetthattherepilastermended。’
’Ithoughtso。Whatanoutandoutswindleryoumusthavebeentospringthatpriceatonce！’
’IhopeI’vedonenothingtodissatisfyanyofthetenants，leastofallyou，sir。’
’Nevermindthat。Getmethemoneyto—morrow，andseethatallmyclothesarepackedinthelittlebrownbullock—trunk。I’mgoing。’
’Butthequarter’snotice？’
’I’llpayforfeit。Lookafterthepackingandleavemealone。’
Mr。Beetondiscussedthisnewdeparturewithhiswife，whodecidedthatBessiewasatthebottomofitall。Herhusbandtookamorecharitableview。
’It’sverysudden——butthenhewasalwayssuddeninhisways。Listentohimnow！’
TherewasasoundofchantingfromDick’sroom。
’We’llnevercomebackanymore，boys，We’llnevercomebacknomore；
We’llgotothedeuceonanyexcuse，Andnevercomebacknomore！？
Ohsaywe’reafloatorashore，boys，Ohsaywe’reafloatorashore；
Butwe’llnevercomebackanymore，boys，We’llnevercomebacknomore！’？
’Mr。Beeton！Mr。Beeton！Wherethedeuceismypistol？’
’Quick，he’sgoingtoshoothimself——’avin’gonemad！’saidMrs。Beeton。
Mr。BeetonaddressedDicksoothingly，butitwassometimebeforethelatter，threshingupanddownhisbedroom，couldrealisetheintentionofthepromisesto’findeverythingto—morrow，sir。’
’Oh，youcopper—nosedoldfool——youimpotentAcademician！’heshoutedatlast。’DoyousupposeIwanttoshootmyself？Takethepistolinyoursillyshakinghandthen。Ifyoutouchit，itwillgooff，becauseit’sloaded。
It’samongmycampaign—kitsomewhere——intheparcelatthebottomofthetrunk。’
LongagoDickhadcarefullypossessedhimselfofaforty—poundweightfield—equipmentconstructedbytheknowledgeofhisownexperience。Itwasthisput—awaytreasurethathewastryingtofindandrehandle。Mr。
Beetonwhippedtherevolveroutofitsplaceonthetopofthepackage，andDickdrovehishandamongthekhakicoatandbreeches，theblueclothleg—bands，andtheheavyflannelshirtsdoubledoverapairofswan—neckspurs。Undertheseandthewater—bottlelayasketch—bookandapigskincaseofstationery。
’Thesewedon’twant；youcanhavethem，Mr。Beeton。EverythingelseI’llkeep。Pack’emonthetopright—handsideofmytrunk。Whenyou’vedonethatcomeintothestudiowithyourwife。Iwantyouboth。Waitaminute；getmeapenandasheetofnotepaper。’
Itisnotaneasythingtowritewhenyoucannotsee，andDickhadparticularreasonsforwishingthathisworkshouldbeclear。Sohebegan，followinghisrighthandwithhisleft：’\"ThebadnessofthiswritingisbecauseIamblindandcannotseemypen。\"H’mph！——evenalawyercan’tmistakethat。Itmustbesigned，Isuppose，butitneedn’tbewitnessed。Nowaninchlower——whydidIneverlearntouseatype—writer？——\"Thisisthelastwillandtestamentofme，RichardHeldar。
Iaminsoundbodilyandmentalhealth，andthereisnopreviouswilltorevoke。\"——That’sallright。Damnthepen！WhereaboutsonthepaperwasI？——\"IleaveeverythingthatIpossessintheworld，includingfourthousandpounds，andtwothousandsevenhundredandtwentyeightpoundsheldforme\"——oh，Ican’tgetthisstraight。’Hetoreoffhalfthesheetandbeganagainwiththecautionaboutthehandwriting。Then：’I
leaveallthemoneyIpossessintheworldto’——herefollowedMaisie’sname，andthenamesofthetwobanksthatheldthemoney。
’Itmayn’tbequiteregular，butnoonehasashadowofarighttodisputeit，andI’vegivenMaisie’saddress。Comein，Mr。Beeton。Thisismysignature；Iwantyouandyourwifetowitnessit。Thanks。To—morrowyoumusttakemetothelandlordandI’llpayforfeitforleavingwithoutnotice，andI’lllodgethispaperwithhimincaseanythinghappenswhileI’maway。Nowwe’regoingtolightupthestudiostove。Staywithme，andgivememypapersasIwant’em。’
Nooneknowsuntilhehastriedhowfineablazeayear’saccumulationofbills，letters，anddocketscanmake。Dickstuffedintothestoveeverydocumentinthestudio——savingonlythreeunopenedletters；destroyedsketch—books，roughnote—books，newandhalf—finishedcanvasesalike。
’Whatalotofrubbishatenantgetsabouthimifhestayslongenoughinoneplace，tobesure，’saidMr。Beeton，atlast。
’Hedoes。Isthereanythingmoreleft？’Dickfeltroundthewalls。
’Notathing，andthestove’snighred—hot。’
’Excellent，andyou’velostaboutathousandpounds’worthofsketches。
Ho！ho！Quiteathousandpounds’worth，ifIcanrememberwhatIusedtobe。’
’Yes，sir，’politely。Mr。BeetonwasquitesurethatDickhadgonemad，otherwisehewouldhaveneverpartedwithhisexcellentfurnitureforasong。Thecanvasthingstookupstorageroomandweremuchbetteroutoftheway。
Thereremainedonlytoleavethelittlewillinsafehands：thatcouldnotbeaccomplishedtoto—morrow。Dickgropedaboutthefloorpickingupthelastpiecesofpaper，assuredhimselfagainandagainthatthereremainednowrittenwordorsignofhispastlifeindrawerordesk，andsatdownbeforethestovetillthefirediedoutandthecontractingironcrackedinthesilenceofthenight。
CHAPTERXV
Withaheartoffuriousfancies，WhereofIamcommander；
Withaburningspearandahorseofair，TothewildernessIwander。
WithaknightofghostsandshadowsIsummonedamtotourney——
Tenleaguesbeyondthewideworld’send，Methinksitisnojourney。
——Toma’Bedlam’sSong。？
’GOOD—BYE，Bess；Ipromisedyoufifty。Here’sahundred——allthatIgotformyfurniturefromBeeton。Thatwillkeepyouinprettyfrocksforsometime。You’vebeenagoodlittlegirl，allthingsconsidered，butyou’vegivenmeandTorpenhowafairamountoftrouble。’
’GiveMr。Torpenhowmyloveifyouseehim，won’tyou？’
’OfcourseIwill，dear。Nowtakemeupthegang—plankandintothecabin。Onceaboardtheluggerandthemaidis——andIamfree，Imean。’
’Who’lllookafteryouonthisship？’
’Thehead—steward，ifthere’sanyuseinmoney。ThedoctorwhenwecometoPortSaid，ifIknowanythingofP。andO。doctors。Afterthat，theLordwillprovide，asHeusedtodo。’
BessfoundDickhiscabininthewildturmoilofashipfullofleavetakersandweepingrelatives。Thenhekissedher，andlaidhimselfdowninhisbunkuntilthedecksshouldbeclear。Hewhohadtakensolongtomoveabouthisowndarkenedroomswellunderstoodthegeographyofaship，andthenecessityofseeingtohisowncomfortswasaswinetohim。
BeforethescrewbegantothrashtheshipalongtheDockshehadbeenintroducedtothehead—steward，hadroyallytippedhim，securedagoodplaceattable，openedouthisbaggage，andsettledhimselfdownwithjoyinthecabin。Itwasscarcelynecessarytofeelhiswayashemovedabout，forhekneweverythingsowell。ThenGodwasverykind：adeepsleepofwearinesscameuponhimjustashewouldhavethoughtofMaisie，andheslepttillthesteamerhadclearedthemouthoftheThamesandwasliftingtothepulseoftheChannel。
Therattleoftheengines，thereekofoilandpaint，andaveryfamiliarsoundinthenextcabinrousedhimtohisnewinheritance。
’Oh，it’sgoodtobealiveagain！’Heyawned，stretchedhimselfvigorously，andwentondecktobetoldthattheywerealmostabreastofthelightsofBrighton。ThisisnomoreopenwaterthanTrafalgalSquareisacommon；thefreelevelsbeginatUshant；butnonethelessDickcouldfeelthehealingoftheseaatworkuponhimalready。Aboisterouslittlecross—swellswungthesteamerdisrespectfullybythenose；andonewavebreakingfaraftspatteredthequarterdeckandthepileofnewdeck—chairs。Heheardthefoamfallwiththeclashofbrokenglass，wasstunginthefacebyacupful，andsniffingluxuriously，felthiswaytothesmoking—roombythewheel。Thereastrongbreezefoundhim，blewhiscapoffandlefthimbareheadedinthedoorway，andthesmoking—roomsteward，understandingthathewasavoyagerofexperience，saidthattheweatherwouldbestiffinthechopsofftheChannelandmorethanhalfagaleintheBay。Thesethingsfellastheywereforetold，andDickenjoyedhimselftotheutmost。Itisallowableandevennecessaryatseatolayfirmholdupontables，stanchions，andropesinmovingfromplacetoplace。Onlandthemanwhofeelswithhishandsispatentlyblind。Atseaevenablindmanwhoisnotsea—sickcanjestwiththedoctorovertheweaknessofhisfellows。Dicktoldthedoctormanytales——andthesearecoinofmorevaluethansilverifproperlyhandled——smokedwithhimtillunholyhoursofthenight，andsowonhisshort—livedregardthathepromisedDickafewhoursofhistimewhentheycametoPortSaid。
Andthesearoaredorwasstillasthewindsblew，andtheenginessangtheirsongdayandnight，andthesungrewstrongerdaybyday，andTomtheLascarbarbershavedDickofamorningundertheopenedhatch—gratingwherethecoolwindsblew，andtheawningswerespreadandthepassengersmademerry，andatlasttheycametoPortSaid。
’Takeme，’saidDick，tothedoctor，’toMadameBinat’s——ifyouknowwherethatis。’
’Whew！’saidthedoctor，’Ido。There’snotmuchtochoosebetween’em；
butIsupposeyou’reawarethatthat’soneoftheworsthousesintheplace。They’llrobyoutobeginwith，andknifeyoulater。’
’Notthey。Takemethere，andIcanlookaftermyself。’
SohewasbroughttoMadameBinat’sandfilledhisnostrilswiththewell—rememberedsmelloftheEast，thatrunswithoutachangefromtheCanalheadtoHong—Kong，andhismouthwiththevillainousLinguaFrancaoftheLevant。Theheatsmotehimbetweentheshoulder—bladeswiththebuffetofanoldfriend，hisfeetslippedonthesand，andhiscoat—sleevewaswarmasnew—bakedbreadwhenheliftedittohisnose。
MadameBinatsmiledwiththesmilethatknowsnoastonishmentwhenDickenteredthedrinking—shopwhichwasonesourceofhergains。Butforalittleaccidentofcompletedarknesshecouldhardlyrealisethathehadeverquittedtheoldlifethathummedinhisears。SomebodyopenedabottleofpeculiarlystrongSchiedam。ThesmellremindedDickofMonsieurBinat，who，bytheway，hadspokenofartanddegradation。
Binatwasdead；Madamesaidasmuchwhenthedoctordeparted，scandalised，sofarasaship’sdoctorcanbe，atthewarmthofDick’sreception。Dickwasdelightedatit。’Theyremembermehereafterayear。Theyhaveforgottenmeacrossthewaterbythistime。Madame，I
wantalongtalkwithyouwhenyou’reatliberty。Itisgoodtobebackagain。’
Intheeveningshesetaniron—toppedcaf？—tableoutonthesands，andDickandshesatbyit，whilethehousebehindthemfilledwithriot，merriment，oaths，andthreats。ThestarscameoutandthelightsoftheshippingintheharbourtwinkledbytheheadoftheCanal。
’Yes。Thewarisgoodfortrade，myfriend；butwhatdostthoudohere？
Wehavenotforgottenthee。’
’IwasoverthereinEnglandandIwentblind。’
’Buttherewasthegloryfirst。Weheardofithere，evenhere——IandBinat；andthouhastusedtheheadofYellow’Tina——sheisstillalive——sooftenandsowellthat’Tinalaughedwhenthepapersarrivedbythemail—boats。Itwasalwayssomethingthatweherecouldrecogniseinthepaintings。Andthentherewasalwaysthegloryandthemoneyforthee。’
’Iamnotpoor——Ishallpayyouwell。’
’Nottome。Thouhastpaidforeverything。’Underherbreath，’MonDieu，tobeblindandsoyoung！Whathorror！’
Dickcouldnotseeherfacewiththepityonit，orhisownwiththediscolouredhairatthetemples。Hedidnotfeeltheneedofpity；hewastooanxioustogettothefrontoncemore，andexplainedhisdesire。
’Andwhere？TheCanalisfulloftheEnglishships。Sometimestheyfireastheyusedtodowhenthewarwashere——tenyearsago。BeyondCairothereisfighting，buthowcanstthougotherewithoutacorrespondent’spassport？Andinthedesertthereisalwaysfighting，butthatisimpossiblealso，’saidshe。
’ImustgotoSuakin。’Heknew，thankstoAlf’sreadings，thatTorpenhowwasatworkwiththecolumnthatwasprotectingtheconstructionoftheSuakin—Berberline。P。andO。steamersdonottouchatthatport，and，besides，MadameBinatkneweverybodywhosehelporadvicewasworthanything。Theywerenotrespectablefolk，buttheycouldcausethingstobeaccomplished，whichismuchmoreimportantwhenthereisworktoward。
’ButatSuakintheyarealwaysfighting。Thatdesertbreedsmenalways——andalwaysmoremen。Andtheyaresobold！WhytoSuakin？’
’Myfriendisthere。
’Thyfriend！Chtt！Thyfriendisdeath，then。’
MadameBinatdroppedafatarmonthetable—top，filledDick’sglassanew，andlookedathimcloselyunderthestars。Therewasnoneedthatheshouldbowhisheadinassentandsay——
’No。Heisaman，but——ifitshouldarrive……blamestthou？’
’Iblame？’shelaughedshrilly。’WhoamIthatIshouldblameanyone——exceptthosewhotrytocheatmeovertheirconsommations。Butitisveryterrible。’
’ImustgotoSuakin。Thinkforme。Agreatdealhaschangedwithintheyear，andthemenIknewarenothere。TheEgyptianlighthousesteamergoesdowntheCanaltoSuakin——andthepost—boats——Buteventhen————’
’Donotthinkanylonger。Iknow，anditisformetothink。Thoushaltgo——thoushaltgoandseethyfriend。Bewise。Sithereuntilthehouseisalittlequiet——Imustattendtomyguests——andafterwardsgotobed。Thoushaltgo，intruth，thoushaltgo。’
’To—morrow？’
’Assoonasmaybe。’Shewastalkingasthoughhewereachild。
Hesatatthetablelisteningtothevoicesintheharbourandthestreets，andwonderinghowsoontheendwouldcome，tillMadameBinatcarriedhimofftobedandorderedhimtosleep。Thehouseshoutedandsanganddancedandrevelled，MadameBinatmovingthroughitwithoneeyeontheliquorpaymentsandthegirlsandtheotheronDick’sinterests。TothislatterendshesmileduponscowlingandfurtiveTurkishofficersoffellaheenregiments，andmorethankindtocamelagentsofnonationalitywhatever。
Intheearlymorning，beingthenappropriatelydressedinaflamingredsilkball—dress，withafrontoftarnishedgoldembroideryandanecklaceofplate—glassdiamonds，shemadechocolateandcarrieditintoDick。
’ItisonlyI，andIamofdiscreetage，eh？Drinkandeattherolltoo。ThusinFrancemothersbringtheirsons，whenthosebehavewisely，themorningchocolate。’Shesatdownonthesideofthebedwhispering：——
’Itisallarranged。Thouwiltgobythelighthouseboat。ThatisabribeoftenpoundsEnglish。ThecaptainisneverpaidbytheGovernment。TheboatcomestoSuakininfourdays。TherewillgowiththeeGeorge，aGreekmuleteer。Anotherbribeoftenpounds。Iwillpay；theymustnotknowofthymoney。Georgewillgowiththeeasfarashegoeswithhismules。Thenhecomesbacktome，forhiswell—belovedishere，andifIdonotreceiveatelegramfromSuakinsayingthatthouartwell，thegirlanswersforGeorge。’
’Thankyou。’Hereachedoutsleepilyforthecup。’Youaremuchtookind，Madame。’
’IftherewereanythingthatImightdoIwouldsay，stayhereandbewise；butIdonotthinkthatwouldbebestforthee。’Shelookedatherliquor—staineddresswithasadsmile。’Nay，thoushaltgo，intruth，thoushaltgo。Itisbestso。Myboy，itisbestso。’
ShestoopedandkissedDickbetweentheeyes。’Thatisforgood—morning，’shesaid，goingaway。’WhenthouartdressedwewillspeaktoGeorgeandmakeeverythingready。Butfirstwemustopenthelittletrunk。Givemethekeys。’
’Theamountofkissinglatelyhasbeensimplyscandalous。IshallexpectTorptokissmenext。Heismorelikelytoswearatmeforgettinginhisway，though。Well，itwon’tlastlong。——Ohe，Madame，helpmetomytoiletteoftheguillotine！Therewillbenochanceofdressingproperlyoutyonder。’
Hewasrummagingamonghisnewcampaign—kit，androwellinghishandswiththespurs。Therearetwosaysofwearingwell—oiledankle—jacks，spotlessbluebands，khakicoatandbreeches，andaperfectlypipeclayedhelmet。Therightwayisthewayoftheuntiredman，masterofhimself，settingoutuponanexpedition，wellpleased。
’Everythingmustbeverycorrect，’Dickexplained。’Itwillbecomedirtyafterwards，butnowitisgoodtofeelwelldressed。Iseverythingasitshouldbe？’
Hepattedtherevolverneatlyhiddenunderthefulnessoftheblouseontherighthipandfingeredhiscollar。
’Icandonomore，’Madamesaid，betweenlaughingandcrying。’Lookatthyself——butIforgot。’
’Iamverycontent。’Hestrokedthecreaselessspiralsofhisleggings。
’NowletusgoandseethecaptainandGeorgeandthelighthouseboat。
Bequick，Madame。’
’Butthoucanstnotbeseenbytheharbourwalkingwithmeinthedaylight。FiguretoyourselfifsomeEnglishladies————’
’TherearenoEnglishladies；andifthereare，Ihaveforgottenthem。
Takemethere。’
Inspiteofthisburningimpatienceitwasnearlyeveningerethelighthouseboatbegantomove。MadamehadsaidagreatdealbothtoGeorgeandthecaptaintouchingthearrangementsthatweretobemadeforDick’sbenefit。VeryfewmenwhohadthehonourofheracquaintancecaredtodisregardMadame’sadvice。Thatsortofcontemptmightendinbeingknifedbyastrangerinagamblinghelluponsurprisinglyshortprovocation。
Forsixdays——twoofthemwerewastedinthecrowdedCanal——thelittlesteamerworkedherwaytoSuakin，whereshewastopickupthesuperintendentofthelighthouse；andDickmadeithisbusinesstopropitiateGeorge，whowasdistractedwithfearsforthesafetyofhislight—of—loveandhalfinclinedtomakeDickresponsibleforhisowndiscomfort。WhentheyarrivedGeorgetookhimunderhiswing，andtogethertheyenteredthered—hotseaport，encumberedwiththematerialandwastageoftheSuakin—Bergerline，fromlocomotivesindisconsolatefragmentstomoundsofchairsandpot—sleepers。
’Ifyoukeepwithme，’saidGeorge，’nobodywillaskforpassportsorwhatyoudo。Theyareallverybusy。’
’Yes；butIshouldliketohearsomeoftheEnglishmentalk。Theymightrememberme。Iwasknownherealongtimeago——whenIwassomeoneindeed。’
’Alongtimeagoisaverylongtimeagohere。Thegraveyardsarefull。
Nowlisten。ThisnewrailwayrunsoutsofarasTanai—el—Hassan——thatissevenmiles。Thenthereisacamp。TheysaythatbeyondTanai—el—HassantheEnglishtroopsgoforward，andeverythingthattheyrequirewillbebroughttothembythisline。’
’Ah！Basecamp。Isee。That’sabetterbusinessthanfightingFuzziesintheopen。’
’Forthisreasoneventhemulestoupintheiron—train。’
’Ironwhat？’
’Itisallcoveredwithiron，becauseitisstillbeingshotat。’
’Anarmouredtrain。Betterandbetter！Goon，faithfulGeorge。’
’AndIgoupwithmymulesto—night。Onlythosewhoparticularlyrequiretogotothecampgooutwiththetrain。Theybegintoshootnotfarfromthecity。’
’Thedears——theyalwaysusedto！’Dicksnuffedthesmellofparcheddust，heatediron，andflakingpaintwithdelight。Certainlytheoldlifewaswelcominghimbackmostgenerously。
’WhenIhavegotmymulestogetherIgoupto—night，butyoumustfirstsendatelegramofPortSaid，declaringthatIhavedoneyounoharm。’
’Madamehasyouwellinhand。Wouldyoustickaknifeintomeifyouhadthechance？’
’Ihavenochance，’saidtheGreek。’Sheistherewiththatwoman。’
’Isee。It’sabadthingtobedividedbetweenloveofwomanandthechanceofloot。Isympathisewithyou，George。’
Theywenttothetelegraph—officeunquestioned，foralltheworldwasdesperatelybusyandhadscarcelytimetoturnitshead，andSuakinwasthelastplaceunderskythatwouldbechosenforholiday—ground。OntheirreturnthevoiceofanEnglishsubalternaskedDickwhathewasdoing。ThebluegoggleswereoverhiseyesandhewalkedwithhishandonGeorge’selbowashereplied——
’EgyptianGovernment——mules。MyordersaretogivethemovertotheA。
C。G。atTanai—el—Hassan。Anyoccasiontoshowmypapers？’
’Oh，certainlynot。Ibegyourpardon。I’dnorighttoask，butnotseeingyourfacebeforeI————’
’Igooutinthetrainto—night，Isuppose，’saidDick，boldly。’Therewillbenodifficultyinloadingupthemules，willthere？’
’Youcanseethehorse—platformsfromhere。Youmusthavethemloadedupearly。’Theyoungmanwentawaywonderingwhatsortofbroken—downwaifthismightbewhotalkedlikeagentlemanandconsortedwithGreekmuleteers。Dickfeltunhappy。TooutfaceanEnglishofficerisnosmallthing，buttheblufflosesrelishwhenoneplaysitfromtheutterdark，andstumblesupanddownroughways，thinkingandeternallythinkingofwhatmighthavebeenifthingshadfallenoutotherwise，andallhadbeenasitwasnot。
GeorgesharedhismealwithDickandwentofftothemule—lines。Hischargesataloneinashedwithhisfaceinhishands。Beforehistight—shuteyesdancedthefaceofMaisie，laughing，withpartedlips。Therewasagreatbustleandclamourabouthim。HegrewafraidandalmostcalledforGeorge。
’Isay，haveyougotyourmulesready？’Itwasthevoiceofthesubalternoverhisshoulder。
’Myman’slookingafterthem。The——thefactisI’veatouchofophthalmiaandcan’tseeverywell。
’ByJove！that’sbad。Yououghttolieupinhospitalforawhile。I’vehadaturnofitmyself。It’sasbadasbeingblind。’
’SoIfindit。Whendoesthisarmouredtraingo？’
’Atsixo’clock。Ittakesanhourtocoverthesevenmiles。’
’AretheFuzziesontherampage——eh？’
’Aboutthreenightsaweek。FactisI’minactingcommandofthenight—train。ItgenerallyrunsbackemptytoTanaiforthenight。’
’BigcampatTanai，Isuppose？’
’Prettybig。Ithastofeedourdesert—columnsomehow。’
’Isthatfaroff？’
’Betweenthirtyandfortymiles——inaninfernalthirstycountry。’
’IsthecountryquietbetweenTanaiandourmen？’
’Moreorless。Ishouldn’tcaretocrossitalone，orwithasubaltern’scommandforthematterofthat，butthescoutsgetthroughitinsomeextraordinaryfashion。’
’Theyalwaysdid。’
’Haveyoubeenherebefore，then？’
’Iwasthroughmostofthetroublewhenitfirstbrokeout。’
’Intheserviceandcashiered，’wasthesubaltern’sfirstthought，soherefrainedfromputtinganyquestions。
’There’syoumancomingupwiththemules。Itseemsratherqueer————’
’ThatIshouldbemule—leading？’saidDick。
’Ididn’tmeantosayso，butitis。Forgiveme——it’sbeastlyimpertinenceI
know，butyouspeaklikeamanwhohasbeenatapublicschool。There’snomistakingthetone。’
’Iamapublicschoolman。’
’Ithoughtso。Isay，Idon’twanttohurtyourfeelings，butyou’realittledownonyourluck，aren’tyou？Isawyousittingwithyourheadinyourhands，andthat’swhyIspoke。’
’Thanks。Iamaboutasthoroughlyandcompletelybrokeasamanneedbe。’
’Suppose——ImeanI’mapublicschoolmanmyself。Couldn’tI
perhaps——takeitasaloany’knowand————’
’You’remuchtoogood，butonmyhonourI’veasmuchmoneyasIwant……Itellyouwhatyoucoulddoforme，though，andputmeunderaneverlastingobligation。Letmecomeintothebogietruckofthetrain。
Thereisafore—truck，isn’tthere？’
’Yes。Howd’youknow？’
’I’vebeeninanarmouredtrainbefore。Onlyletmesee——hearsomeofthefunImean，andI’llbegrateful。Igoatmyownriskasanon—combatant。’
Theyoungmanthoughtforaminute。’Allright，’hesaid。’We’resupposedtobeanemptytrain，andthere’snoonetoblowmeupattheotherend。’
Georgeandahordeofyellingamateurassistantshadloadedupthemules，andthenarrow—gaugearmouredtrain，platedwiththree—eighthsinchboiler—platetillitlookedlikeonelongcoffin，stoodreadytostart。
Twobogietrucksrunningbeforethelocomotivewerecompletelycoveredinwithplating，exceptthattheleadingonewaspiercedinfrontforthemuzzleofamachine—gun，andthesecondateithersideforlateralfire。
Thetruckstogethermadeonelongiron—vaultedchamberinwhichascoreofartillerymenwererioting。
’Whitechapel——lasttrain！Ah，Iseeyerkissin’inthefirstclassthere！’
somebodyshouted，justasDickwasclamouringintotheforwardtruck。
’Lordy！’Ere’sareallivepassengerfortheKew，Tanai，Acton，andEalin’train。Echo，sir。Speshuledition！Star，sir。’——’ShallIgetyouafoot—warmer？’saidanother。
’Thanks。I’llpaymyfooting，’saidDick，andrelationsofthemostamiablewereestablishederesilencecamewiththearrivalofthesubaltern，andthetrainjoltedoutovertheroughtrack。
’ThisisanimmenseimprovementonshootingtheunimpressionableFuzzyintheopen，’saidDick，fromhisplaceinthecorner。
’Oh，buthe’sstillunimpressed。Therehegoes！’saidthesubaltern，asabulletstrucktheoutsideofthetruck。’Wealwayshaveatleastonedemonstrationagainstthenight—train。Generallytheyattacktherear—truck，wheremyjuniorcommands。Hegetsallthefunofthefair。’
’Notto—nightthough！Listen！’saidDick。Aflightofheavy—handedbulletswassucceededbyyellingandshouts。Thechildrenofthedesertvaluedtheirnightlyamusement，andthetrainwasanexcellentmark。
’Isitworthgivingthemhalfahopperfull？’thesubalternaskedoftheengine，whichwasdrivenbyaLieutenantofSappers。
’Ishouldthinkso！Thisismysectionoftheline。They’llbeplayingoldHarrywithmypermanentwayifwedon’tstop’em。’
’RightO！’
’Hrrmph！’saidthemachinegunthroughallitsfivenosesasthesubalterndrewtheleverhome。Theemptycartridgesclashedonthefloorandthesmokeblewbackthroughthetruck。Therewasindiscriminatefiringattherearofthetrain，andreturnfirefromthedarknesswithoutandunlimitedhowling。Dickstretchedhimselfonthefloor，wildwithdelightatthesoundsandthesmells。
’Godisverygood——IneverthoughtI’dhearthisagain。Give’emhell，men。Oh，give’emhell！’hecried。
Thetrainstoppedforsomeobstructiononthelineaheadandapartywentouttoreconnoitre，butcameback，cursing，forspades。Thechildrenofthedeserthadpiledsandandgravelontherails，andtwentyminuteswerelostinclearingitaway。Thentheslowprogressrecommenced，tobevariedwithmoreshots，moreshoutings，thesteadyclackandkickofthemachineguns，andafinaldifficultywithahalf—liftedrailerethetraincameundertheprotectionoftheroaringcampatTanai—el—Hassan。
’Now，youseewhyittakesanhourandahalftofetchherthrough，’saidthesubaltern，unshippingthecartridge—hopperabovehispetgun。
’Itwasalark，though。Ionlywishithadlastedtwiceaslong。Howsuperbitmusthavelookedfromoutside！’saidDick，sighingregretfully。
’Itpallsafterthefirstfewnights。Bytheway，whenyou’vesettledaboutyourmules，comeandseewhatwecanfindtoeatinmytent。I’mBenniloftheGunners——intheartillerylines——andmindyoudon’tfallovermytent—ropesinthedark。’
ButitwasalldarktoDick。Hecouldonlysmellthecamels，thehay—bales，thecooking，thesmokyfires，andthetannedcanvasofthetentsashestood，wherehehaddroppedfromthetrain，shoutingforGeorge。Therewasasoundoflight—heartedkickingontheironskinofthereartrucks，withsquealingandgrunting。Georgewasunloadingthemules。
TheenginewasblowingoffsteamnearlyinDick’sear；acoldwindofthedesertdancedbetweenhislegs；hewashungry，andfelttiredanddirty——sodirtythathetriedtobrushhiscoatwithhishands。Thatwasahopelessjob；hethrusthishandsintohispocketsandbegantocountoverthemanytimesthathehadwaitedinstrangeorremoteplacesfortrainsorcamels，mulesorhorses，tocarryhimtohisbusiness。Inthosedayshecouldsee——fewmenmoreclearly——andthespectacleofanarmedcampatdinnerunderthestarewasaneverfreshpleasuretotheeye。Therewascolour，light，andmotion，withoutwhichnomanhasmuchpleasureinliving。Thisnightthereremainedforhimonlyonemorejourneythroughthedarknessthatneverliftstotellamanhowfarhehastravelled。ThenhewouldgripTorpenhow’shandagain——Torpenhow，whowasaliveandstrong，andlivedinthemidstoftheactionthathadoncemadethereputationofamancalledDickHeldar：notintheleasttobeconfusedwiththeblind，bewilderedvagabondwhoseemedtoanswertothesamename。Yes，hewouldfindTorpenhow，andcomeasneartotheoldlifeasmightbe。Afterwardshewouldforgeteverything：Bessie，whohadwreckedtheMelancoliaandsonearlywreckedhislife；Beeton，wholivedinastrangeunrealcityfulloftin—tacksandgas—plugsandmattersthatnomenneeded；thatirrationalbeingwhohadofferedhimloveandloyaltyfornothing，buthadnotsignedhername；andmostofallMaisie，who，fromherownpointofview，wasundeniablyrightinallshedid，butoh，atthisdistance，sotantalisinglyfair。
George’shandonhisarmpulledhimbacktothesituation。
’Andwhatnow？’saidGeorge。
’Ohyesofcourse。Whatnow？Takemetothecamel—men。Takemetowherethescoutssitwhentheycomeinfromthedesert。Theysitbytheircamels，andthecamelseatgrainoutofablackblanketheldupatthecorners，andthemeneatbytheirsidejustlikecamels。Takemethere！’
Thecampwasroughandrutty，andDickstumbledmanytimesoverthestumpsofscrub。Thescoutsweresittingbytheirbeasts，asDickknewtheywould。Thelightofthedung—firesflickeredontheirbeardedfaces，andthecamelsbubbledandmumbledbesidethematrest。ItwasnopartofDick’spolicytogointothedesertwithaconvoyofsupplies。Thatwouldleadtoimpertinentquestions，andsinceablindnon—combatantisnotneededatthefront，hewouldprobablybeforcedtoreturntoSuakin。
Hemustgoupalone，andgoimmediately。
’Nowforonelastbluff——thebiggestofall，’hesaid。’Peacebewithyou，brethren！’ThewatchfulGeorgesteeredhimtothecircleofthenearestfire。Theheadsofthecamel—sheiksbowedgravely，andthecamels，scentingaEuropean，lookedsidewayscuriouslylikebroodinghens，halfreadytogettotheirfeet。
’Abeastandadrivertogotothefightinglineto—night，’saidDick。
’AMulaid？’saidavoice，scornfullynamingthebestbaggage—breedthatheknew。
’ABisharin，’returnedDick，withperfectgravity。’ABisharinwithoutsaddle—galls。Thereforenochargeofthine，shock—head。’
Twoorthreeminutespassed。Then——
’Webeknee—halteredforthenight。Thereisnogoingoutfromthecamp。’
’Notformoney？’
’H’m！Ah！Englishmoney？’
Anotherdepressingintervalofsilence。
’Howmuch？’
’Twenty—fivepoundsEnglishpaidintothehandofthedriveratmyjourney’send，andasmuchmoreintothehandofthecamel—sheikhere，tobepaidwhenthedriverreturns。’
Thiswasroyalpayment，andthesheik，whoknewthathewouldgethiscommissiononthisdeposit，stirredinDick’sbehalf。
’Forscarcelyonenight’sjourney——fiftypounds。Landandwellsandgoodtreesandwivestomakeamancontentfortherestofhisdays。Whospeaks？’saidDick。
’I，’saidavoice。’Iwillgo——butthereisnogoingfromthecamp。’
’Fool！Iknowthatacamelcanbreakhisknee—halter，andthesentriesdonotfireifonegoesinchase。Twenty—fivepoundsandanothertwenty—fivepounds。ButthebeastmustbeagoodBisharin；Iwilltakenobaggage—camel。’
Thenthebargainingbegan，andattheendofhalfanhourthefirstdepositwaspaidovertothesheik，whotalkedinlowtonestothedriver。
Dickheardthelattersay：’Alittlewayoutonly。Anybaggage—beastwillserve。AmIafooltowastemycattleforablindman？’
’AndthoughIcannotsee’——Dickliftedhisvoicealittle——’yetIcarrythatwhichhassixeyes，andthedriverwillsitbeforeme。IfwedonotreachtheEnglishtroopsinthedawnhewillbedead。’
’Butwhere，inGod’sname，arethetroops？’
’Unlessthouknowestletanothermanride。Dostthouknow？Rememberitwillbelifeordeathtothee。’
’Iknow，’saidthedriver，sullenly。’Standbackfrommybeast。Iamgoingtosliphim。’
’Notsoswiftly。George，holdthecamel’sheadamoment。Iwanttofeelhischeek。’Thehandswanderedoverthehidetilltheyfoundthebrandedhalf—circlethatisthemarkoftheBiharin，thelight—builtriding—camel。
’Thatiswell。Cutthisoneloose。RemembernoblessingofGodcomesonthosewhotrytocheattheblind。’
Themenchuckledbythefiresatthecamel—driver’sdiscomfiture。Hehadintendedtosubstituteaslow，saddle—galledbaggage—colt。
’Standback！’oneshouted，lashingtheBiharinunderthebellywithaquirt。Dickobeyedassoonashefeltthenose—stringtighteninhishand，——andacrywentup，’Illaha！Aho！Heisloose。’
WitharoarandagrunttheBiharinrosetohisfeetandplungedforwardtowardthedesert，hisdriverfollowingwithshoutsandlamentation。
GeorgecaughtDick’sarmandhurriedhimstumblingandtrippingpastadisgustedsentrywhowasusedtostampedingcamels。
’What’stherownow？’hecried。
’Everystitchofmykitonthatblasteddromedary，’Dickanswered，afterthemannerofacommonsoldier。
’Goon，andtakecareyourthroat’snotcutoutside——youandyourdromedary’s。’
Theoutcriesceasedwhenthecamelhaddisappearedbehindahillock，andhisdriverhadcalledhimbackandmadehimkneeldown。
’Mountfirst，’saidDick。Thenclimbingintothesecondseatandgentlyscrewingthepistolmuzzleintothesmallofhiscompanion’sback，’GooninGod’sname，andswiftly。Good—bye，George。RemembermetoMadame，andhaveagoodtimewithyourgirl。Getforward，childofthePit！’
Afewminuteslaterhewasshutupinagreatsilence，hardlybrokenbythecreakingofthesaddleandthesoftpadofthetirelessfeet。Dickadjustedhimselfcomfortablytotherockandpitchofthepace，girthedhisbelttighter，andfeltthedarknessslidepast。Foranhourhewasconsciousonlyofthesenseofrapidprogress。
’Agoodcamel，’hesaidatlast。
’Hewasneverunderfed。Heismyownandcleanbred，’thedriverreplied。
’Goon。’
Hisheaddroppedonhischestandhetriedtothink，butthetenorofhisthoughtswasbrokenbecausehewasverysleepy。InthehalfdozeinseemedthathewaslearningapunishmenthymnatMrs。Jennett’s。HehadcommittedsomecrimeasbadasSabbath—breaking，andshehadlockedhimupinhisbedroom。Buthecouldneverrepeatmorethanthefirsttwolinesofthehymn——
WhenIsraeloftheLordbelievedOutofthelandofbondagecame。
Hesaidthemoverandoverthousandsoftimes。Thedriverturnedinthesaddletoseeiftherewereanychanceofcapturingtherevolverandendingtheride。Dickroused，struckhimovertheheadwiththebutt，andstormedhimselfwideawake。Somebodyhiddeninaclumpofcamel—thornshoutedasthecameltoileduprisingground。Ashotwasfired，andthesilenceshutdownagain，bringingthedesiretosleep。Dickcouldthinknolonger。Hewastootiredandstiffandcrampedtodomorethannoduneasilyfromtimetotime，wakingwithastartandpunchingthedriverwiththepistol。
’Isthereamoon？’heaskeddrowsily。
’Sheisnearhersetting。’
’IwishthatIcouldseeher。Haltthecamel。Atleastletmehearthedeserttalk。’
Themanobeyed。Outoftheutterstillnesscameonebreathofwind。Itrattledthedeadleavesofashrubsomedistanceawayandceased。A
handfulofdryearthdetacheditselffromtheedgeofarailtrenchandcrumbledsoftlytothebottom。
’Goon。Thenightisverycold。’
Thosewhohavewatchedtillthemorningknowhowthelasthourbeforethelightlengthensitselfintomanyeternities。ItseemedtoDickthathehadneversincethebeginningoforiginaldarknessdoneanythingatallsavejoltthroughtheair。Onceinathousandyearshewouldfingerthenailheadsonthesaddle—frontandcountthemallcarefully。Centurieslaterhewouldshifthisrevolverfromhisrighthandtohisleftandallowtheeasedarmtodropdownathisside。FromthesafedistanceofLondonhewaswatchinghimselfthusemployed，——watchingcritically。Yetwheneverheputouthishandtothecanvasthathemightpaintthetawnyyellowdesertundertheglareofthesinkingmoon，theblackshadowofacamelandthetwobowedfiguresatop，thathandheldarevolverandthearmwasnumbedfromwristtocollar—bone。Moreover，hewasinthedark，andcouldseenocanvasofanykindwhatever。
Thedrivergrunted，andDickwasconsciousofachangeintheair。
’Ismellthedawn，’hewhispered。
’Itishere，andyonderarethetroops。HaveIdonewell？’
Thecamelstretchedoutitsneckandroaredastherecamedownwindthepungentreekofcamelsinthesquare。
’Goon。Wemustgetthereswiftly。Goon。’
’Theyaremovingintheircamp。ThereissomuchdustthatIcannotseewhattheydo。’
’AmIinbettercase？Goforward。’
Theycouldhearthehumofvoicesahead，thehowlingandthebubblingofthebeastsandthehoarsecriesofthesoldiersgirthingupfortheday。
Twoorthreeshotswerefired。
’Isthatatus？SurelytheycanseethatIamEnglish，’Dickspokeangrily。
’Nay，itisfromthedesert，’thedriveranswered，coweringinhissaddle。
’Goforward，mychild！Wellitisthatthedawndidnotuncoverusanhourago。’
Thecamelheadedstraightforthecolumnandtheshotsbehindmultiplied。Thechildrenofthedeserthadarrangedthatmostuncomfortableofsurprises，adawnattackfortheEnglishtroops，andweregettingtheirdistancebysnap—shotsattheonlymovingobjectwithoutthesquare。
’Whatluck！Whatstupendousandimperialluck！’saidDick。’It’s\"justbeforethebattle，mother。\"Oh，Godhasbeenmostgoodtome！？
Only’——theagonyofthethoughtmadehimscrewuphiseyesforaninstant——’Maisie……’
’Allahu！Wearein，’saidtheman，ashedroveintotherearguardandthecamelknelt。
’Whothedeuceareyou？Despatchesorwhat？What’sthestrengthoftheenemybehindthatridge？Howdidyougetthrough？’askedadozenvoices。ForallanswerDicktookalongbreath，unbuckledhisbelt，andshoutedfromthesaddleatthetopofaweariedanddustyvoice，’Torpenhow！Ohe，Torp！Coo—ee，Tor—pen—how。’
Abeardedmanrakingintheashesofafireforalighttohispipemovedveryswiftlytowardsthatcry，astherearguard，facingabout，begantofireatthepuffsofsmokefromthehillocksaround。Graduallythescatteredwhitecloudletsdrewoutintothelonglinesofbankedwhitethathungheavilyinthestillnessofthedawnbeforetheyturnedoverwave—likeandglidedintothevalleys。Thesoldiersinthesquarewerecoughingandswearingastheirownsmokeobstructedtheirview，andtheyedgedforwardtogetbeyondit。Awoundedcamelleapedtoitsfeetandroaredaloud，thecryendinginabubblinggrunt。Someonehadcutitsthroattopreventconfusion。Thencamethethicksobofamanreceivinghisdeath—woundfromabullet；thenayellofagonyandredoubledfiring。
Therewasnotimetoaskanyquestions。
’Getdown，man！Getdownbehindthecamel！’
’No。Putme，Ipray，intheforefrontofthebattle。’DickturnedhisfacetoTorpenhowandraisedhishandtosethishelmetstraight，but，miscalculatingthedistance，knockeditoff。Torpenhowsawthathishairwasgrayonthetemples，andthathisfacewasthefaceofanoldman。
’Comedown，youdamnedfool！Dickie，comeoff！’
AndDickcameobediently，butasatreefalls，pitchingsidewaysfromtheBisharin’ssaddleatTorpenhow’sfeet。Hisluckhadheldtothelast，eventothecrowningmercyofakindlybulletthroughhishead。
Torpenhowkneltundertheleeofthecamel，withDick’sbodyinhisarms。