Helightedhislamp，examinedthebelt，unrippedit，andpouredoutthecontentsonhistable。
　　Theyweredazzling。Agreatmanylargepiecesofamethyst，andsomeofwhitetopazandrockcrystal；alargenumberofsmallerstones，carbuncles，chrysolites，andnotafewemeralds。Doddlookedatthemwithpleasure，sparklinginthelamplight。
　　"Whatalot!"saidhe。"Iwonderwhattheyareworth!"Hesentforthefirstmate，who，heknew，didalittleprivatebusinessinpreciousstones。"Masterton，"saidhe，"obligemebycountingthesestoneswithme，andvaluingthem。"
　　Mr。Mastertonstared，andhismouthwatered。However，henamedthevariousstonesandvaluedthem。Hesaidtherewasonestone，alargeemerald，withoutaflaw，thatwasworthaheavysumbyitself；andthepearls，veryfine:andlookingatthegreatnumber，theymustbeworthathousandpounds。
　　CaptainDoddthenenteredthewholebusinesscarefullyintheship'slog:thelivingmanhedescribedthus:"Aboutfivefeetsixinheight，andaboutfiftyyearsofage。"Thenhedescribedthenotesandthestonesveryexactly，andmadeMasterton，thevaluer，signthelog。
　　Stainestookagooddealofegg-flipthatnight，andnextdayatesolidfood；buttheyquestionedhiminvain；hisreasonwasentirelyinabeyance:hehadbecomeaneater，andnothingelse。
　　Whenevertheygavehimfood，heshowedasortoffawninganimalgratitude。Othersentimenthehadnone，nordidwordsenterhismindanymorethanabird's。Andsinceitisnotpleasanttodwellonthewreckofafineunderstanding，IwillonlysaythattheylandedhimatCapeTown，outofbodilydanger，butweak，andhismind，toallappearance，ahopelessblank。
　　Theyburiedtheskeleton，——readtheserviceoftheEnglishChurchoveraMalabarheathen。
　　DoddtookStainestothehospital，andlefttwentypoundswiththegovernorofittocurehim。ButhedepositedStaines'smoneyandjewelswithafriendlybanker，andbeggedthattheprincipalcashiermightseetheman，andbeabletorecognizehim，shouldheapplyforhisown。
　　Thecashiercameandexaminedhim，andalsotherubyringonhisfinger——apartinggiftfromRosa——andremarkedthiswasanewwayofdoingbusiness。
　　"Why，itistheonlyone，sir，"saidDodd。"Howcanwegiveyouhissignature?Heisnotinhisrightmind。"
　　"Norneverwillbe。"
　　"Don'tsaythat，sir。Letushopeforthebest，poorfellow。"
　　Havingmadetheseprovisions，theworthycaptainweighedanchor，withawarmheartandagoodconscience。Yettheimageofthemanhehadsavedpursuedhim，andheresolvedtolookafterhimnexttimeheshouldcoalatCapeTown，homewardbound。
　　Stainesrecoveredhisstrengthinabouttwomonths；buthismindreturnedinfragments，andveryslowly。Foralong，longtimeherememberednothingthathadprecededhisgreatcalamity。Hismindstartedafresh，aidedonlybycertainfixedhabits；forinstance，hecouldreadandwrite:but，strangeasitmayappear，hehadnoideawhohewas；andwhenhismemoryclearedalittleonthathead，hethoughthissurnamewasChristie，buthewasnotsure。
　　Nevertheless，thepresidingphysiciandiscoveredinhimacertainprogressofintelligence，whichgavehimgreathopes。Inthefifthmonth，havingshownamarkedinterestintheothersickpatients，coupledwithadispositiontobecarefulandattentive，theymadehimanurse，orratherasub-nurseunderthespecialordersofaresponsiblenurse。Ireallybelieveitwasdoneatfirsttoavoidthealternativeofsendinghimadrift，ortransferringhimtotheinsanewardofthehospital。Inthiscongenialpursuitheshowedsuchwatchfulnessandskill，thatbyandbytheyfoundtheyhadgotatreasure。Twomonthsafterthathebegantotalkaboutmedicine，andastonishedthemstillmore。Hebecamethepuzzleoftheestablishment。Thedoctorandsurgeonwouldconversewithhim，andtryandleadhimtohispastlife；butwhenitcametothat，heusedtoputhishandstohisheadwithafaceofgreatdistress，anditwasclearsomeimpassablebarrierlaybetweenhisgrowingintelligenceandthepasteventsofhislife。Indeed，ononeoccasion，hesaidtohiskindfriendthedoctor，"Thepast!——ablackwall!ablackwall!"
　　Tenmonthsafterhisadmissionhewaspromotedtobeanattendant，withasalary。
　　Heputbyeveryshillingofit；forhesaid，"Avoicefromthedarkpasttellsmemoneyiseverythinginthisworld。"
　　Adiscussionwasheldbytheauthoritiesastowhetherheshouldbeinformedhehadmoneyandjewelsatthebankornot。
　　Uponthewhole，itwasthoughtadvisabletopostponethisinformation，lestheshouldthrowitaway；buttheytoldhimhehadbeenpickedupatsea，andbothmoneyandjewelsfoundonhim；theywereinsafehands，onlythepersonwasawayforthetime。Still，hewasnottolookuponhimselfaseitherfriendlessormoneyless。
　　Atthiscommunicationheshowedanalmostchildishdelight，thatconfirmedthedoctorinhisopinionhewasactingprudently，andfortherealbenefitofanamiableandafflictedperson，notyettobetrustedwithmoneyandjewels。
　　CHAPTERXVII。
　　Inhisqualityofattendantonthesick，Stainessometimesconductedaweakbutconvalescentpatientintotheopenair；andhewasalwayspleasedtodothis，fortheairoftheCapecarrieshealthandvigoronitswings。Hehadseenitsfinerecreativeproperties，andhedivined，somehow，thatthemindsofconvalescentsoughttobeamused，andsoheoftenbeggedthedoctortolethimtakeaconvalescentabroad。Soonerthannot，hewoulddrawthepatientseveralmilesinaBathchair。Heratherlikedthis；forhewasaHercules，andhadnoegotismorfalsepridewherethesickwereconcerned。
　　Now，theseopen-airwalksexertedabeneficialinfluenceonhisowndarkenedmind。Itisonethingtostrugglefromideatoidea；itisanotherwhenmaterialobjectsminglewiththeretrospect；theyseemtosupplystepping-stonesinthegradualresuscitationofmemoryandreason。
　　Theshipsgoingoutofportweresuchasteppingstonetohim，andavagueconsciousnesscamebacktohimofhavingbeeninaship。
　　Unfortunately，alongwiththisreminiscencecameadesiretogoinoneagain；andthissoweddiscontentinhismind，andthemorethatmindenlarged，themorehebegantodislikethehospitalanditsconfinement。Thefeelinggrew，andbadefairtodisqualifyhimforhishumbleoffice。Theauthoritiescouldnotfailtohearofthis，andtheyhadalittlediscussionaboutpartingwithhim；buttheyhesitatedtoturnhimadrift，andtheystilldoubtedtheproprietyoftrustinghimwithmoneyandjewels。
　　Whilematterswereinthisstatearemarkableeventoccurred。Hedrewasickpatientdowntothequayonemorning，andwatchedthebusinessoftheportwiththekeenestinterest。Ashipatanchorwasunloading，andagreatheavyboatwasstickingtohersidelikeablackleech。Presentlythisboatcameaway，andmovedsluggishlytowardstheshore，ratherbyhelpofthetidethanofthetwomenwhowentthroughtheformofpropellingherwithtwomonstroussweeps，whileathirdsteeredher。ShecontainedEnglishgoods:
　　agriculturalimplements，somecases，fourhorses，andabuxomyoungwomanwithathoroughEnglishface。Thewomanseemedalittleexcited，andasshenearedthelanding-place，shecalledoutinjocundtonestoayoungmanontheshore，"Itisallright，Dick；
　　theyarebeauties，"andshepattedthebeastsaspeopledowhoarefondofthem。
　　Shesteppedlightlyashore，andthencametheslowerworkoflandingherimports。Shebustledabout，likeahenoverherbrood，andwasn'talwaystalking，butputinherwordeverynowandthen，nevercrossly，andalwaystothepoint。
　　Staineslistenedtoher，andexaminedherwithasortofpuzzledlook；butshetooknonoticeofhim；herwholesoulwasinthecattle。
　　Theygotthethingsonboardwellenough；butthehorseswerefrightenedatthegangway，andjibbed。Thenamanwasfordrivingthem，andpokedoneoftheminthequarter；hesnortedandreareddirectly。
　　"Manalive!"criedtheyoungwoman，"thatisnottheway。Theyaredocileenough，butfrightened。Encourage'em，andlet'emlookatit。Give'emtime。Morehastelessspeed，withtimorouscattle。"
　　"Thatisaverypleasantvoice，"saidpoorStaines，rathermoredictatoriallythanbecamethepresentstateofhisintellect。Headdedsoftly，"atruewoman'svoice；"thengloomily，"avoiceofthepast——thedark，darkpast。"
　　Atthisspeechintrudingitselfupontheshortsentencesofbusiness，therewasaroaroflaughter，andPhoebeFalconturnedsharplyroundtolookatthespeaker。Shestaredathim；shecried"Oh!"andclaspedherhands，andcoloredallover。"Why，sure，"
　　saidshe，"Ican'tbemistook。Thoseeyes——'tisyou，doctor，isn'tit?"
　　"Doctor?"saidStaines，withapuzzledlook。"Yes；Ithinktheycalledmedoctoronce。I'manattendantinthehospitalnow。"
　　"Dick!"criedPhoebe，innolittleagitation。"Comeherethisminute。"
　　"What，aforeIgetthehorsesashore?"
　　"Ay，beforeyoudoanotherthing，orsayanotherword。Comehere，now。"Sohecame，andshetoldhimtotakeagoodlookattheman。
　　"Now，"saidshe，"whoisthat?"
　　"BlestifIknow，"saidhe。
　　"What，notknowthemanwhosavedyourownlife!Oh，Dick，whatareyoureyesworth?"
　　Thisdiscoursebroughtthefewpersonswithinhearingintoonebandofexcitedstarers。
　　Dicktookagoodlook，andsaid，"I'mblestifIdon't，though；itisthedoctorthatcutmythroat。"
　　Thisstrangestatementdrewforthquiteashoutofejaculations。
　　"Oh，betterbreathethroughaslitthannotatall，"saidDick。
　　"Savedmylifewiththatcut，hedid，didn'the，Pheeb?"
　　"Thathedid，Dick。Dearheart，IhardlyknowwhetherIaminmysensesornot，seeinghima-lookingsoblank。Youtryhim。"
　　Dickcameforward。"Sureyourememberme，sir。DickDale。Youcutmythroat，andsavedmylife。"
　　"Cutyourthroat!why，thatwouldkillyou。"
　　"Notthewayyoudoneit。Well，sir，youain'tthemanyouwas，thatisclear；butyouwasagoodfriendtome，andthere'smyhand。"
　　"Thankyou，Dick，"saidStaines，andtookhishand。"Idon'trememberYOU。Perhapsyouareoneofthepast。Thepastisdeadwalltome——adarkdeadwall，"andheputhishandstohisheadwithalookofdistress。
　　Everybodytherenowsuspectedthetruth，andsomepointedmysteriouslytotheirownheads。
　　Phoebewhisperedaninquirytothesickperson。
　　Hesaidalittlepettishly，"AllIknowis，heisthekindestattendantintheward，andveryattentive。"
　　"Oh，then，heisinthepublichospital。"
　　"Ofcourseheis。"
　　Theinvalid，withtheselfishnessofhisclass，thenbeggedStainestotakehimoutofallthisbustledowntothebeach。Stainescompliedatonce，withtheutmostmeekness，andsaid，"Good-by，oldfriends；forgivemefornotrememberingyou。Itismygreatafflictionthatthepastisgonefromme——gone，gone。"Andhewentsadlyaway，drawinghissickchargelikeapatientmule。
　　PhoebeFalconlookedafterhim，andbegantocry。
　　"Nay，nay，Phoebe，"saidDick；"don'tyetakeonaboutit。"
　　"Iwonderatyou，"sobbedPhoebe。"Goodpeople，I'mfonderofmybrotherthanheisofhimself，itseems；forIcan'ttakeitsoeasy。Well，theworldisfulloftrouble。Letusdowhatweareherefor。ButIshallprayforthepoorsouleverynight，thathismindmaybegivenbacktohim。"
　　Sothenshebustled，andgaveherselftogettingthecattleonshore，andthethingsputonboardherwagon。
　　Butwhenthiswasdone，shesaidtoherbrother，"Dick，Ididnotthinkanythingonearthcouldtakemyheartoffthecattleandthethingswehavegotfromhome；butIcan'tleavethiswithoutgoingtothehospitalaboutourpoordeardoctor:anditislateformakingastart，anyway——andyoumustn'tforgetthenewspapersforReginald——heissofondofthem——andyoumustcontrivetohaveonesentoutregularafterthis，andI'llgotothehospital。"
　　Shewent，andsawtheheaddoctor，andtoldhimhehadgotanattendantthereshehadknowninEnglandinaverydifferentcondition，andshehadcometoseeiftherewasanythingshecoulddoforhim——forshefeltverygratefultohim，andgrievedtoseehimso。
　　Thedoctorwaspleasedandsurprised，andputseveralquestions。
　　ThenshegavehimaclearstatementofwhathehaddoneforDickinEngland。
　　"Well，"saidthedoctor，"Ibelieveitisthesameman；for，nowyoutellmethis——yes，oneofthenursestoldmeheknewmoreaboutmedicinethanshedid。Hisname，ifyouplease。"
　　"Hisname，sir?"
　　"Yes，hisname。Ofcourseyouknowhisname。IsitChristie?"
　　"Doctor，"saidPhoebe，blushing，"Idon'tknowwhatyouwillthinkofme，butIdon'tknowhisname。Lawsforgiveme，Ineverhadthesensetoaskit。"
　　Ashadeofsuspicioncrossedthedoctor'sface。
　　Phoebesawit，andcoloredtothetemples。"Oh，sir，"shecriedpiteously，"don'tgofortothinkIhavetoldyoualie!whyshouldI?andindeedIamnotofthatsort，norDickneither。Sir，I'llbringhimtoyou，andhewillsaythesame。Well，wewereallinterrorandconfusion，andImethimaccidentallyinthestreet。Hewasonlyacustomertillthen，andpaidreadymoney，sothatishowIneverknewhisname，butifIhadn'tbeenthegreatestfoolinEngland，Ishouldhaveaskedhiswife。"
　　"What!hehasawife?"
　　"Ay，sir，theloveliestladyyoueverclappedeyeson，andheisalmostashandsome；haseyesinhisheadlikejewels；'twasbythemIknewhimonthequay，andIthinkheknewmyvoiceagain，saidasgoodashehadhearditinpasttimes。"
　　"Didhe?Thenwehavegothim，"criedthedoctorenergetically。
　　"La，Sir。"
　　"Yes；ifheknowsyourvoice，youwillbeableintimetoleadhismemoryback；atleast，Ithinkso。DoyouliveinCapeTown?"
　　"Dearheart，no。Iliveatmyownfarm，ahundredandeightymilesfromthis。"
　　"Whatapity!"
　　"Why，sir?"
　　"Well——hum!"
　　"Oh，ifyouthinkIcoulddothepoordoctorgoodbyhavinghimwithme，youhaveonlytosaytheword，andouthegoeswithDickandmeto-morrowmorning。Weshouldhavestartedforhometo-
　　night，butforthis。"
　　"Areyouinearnest，madam?"saidthedoctor，openinghiseyes。
　　"Wouldyoureallyencumberyourselfwithapersonwhosereasonisinsuspense，andmayneverreturn?"
　　"Butthatisnothisfault，sir。Why，ifadoghadsavedmybrother'slife，I'dtakeithome，andkeepitallitsdays；andthisisaman，andaworthyman。Oh，sir，whenIsawhimbroughtdownso，andhisbeautifuleyescloudedlike，myverybosomyearnedoverthepoorsoul；akindactdoneindearoldEngland，whocanseethemanintroublehere，andnotrepayit——ay，ifitcostone'sblood。Butindeedheisstrongandhealthy，andhandsarealwaysscarceourway，andtheoddsarehewillearnhismeatonewayort'other；andifhedoesn't，why，allthebetterforme；Ishallhavethepleasureofservinghimfornoughtthatonceservedmeforneithermoneynorreward。"
　　"Youareagoodwoman，"saidthedoctorwarmly。
　　"There'sbetter，andthere'sworse，"saidPhoebequietly，andevenalittlecoldly。
　　"Moreofthelatter，"saidthedoctordryly。"Well，Mrs——?"
　　"Falcon，sir。"
　　"Weshallhandhimovertoyourcare:butfirst——justforform——ifyouareamarriedwoman，weshouldliketoseeDickhere:heisyourhusband，Ipresume。"
　　Ploebelaughedmerrily。"Dickismybrother；andhecan'tbesparedtocomehere。Dick!he'dsayblackwaswhiteifItoldhimto。"
　　"Thenletusseeyourhusbandaboutit——justforform。"
　　"Myhusbandisatthefarm。Icouldnotventuresofaraway，andnotleavehimincharge。"Ifshehadsaid，"Iwillnotbringhimintotemptation，"thatwouldhavebeennearerthetruth。"Letthatflystickonthewall，sir。WhatIdo，myhusbandwillapprove。"
　　"Iseehowitis。Youruletheroost。"
　　Phoebedidnotreplypoint-blanktothat；shemerelysaid，"Allmychickensarehappy，greatandsmall，"andanexpressionoflofty，womanly，innocentprideilluminatedherfaceandmadeitsuperbforamoment。
　　Inshort，itwassettledthatStainesshouldaccompanyhernextmorningtoDale'sKloofFarm，ifhechose。Oninquiry，itappearedthathehadjustreturnedtothehospitalwithhispatient。Hewassentfor，andPhoebeaskedhimsweetlyifhewouldgowithhertoherhouse，onehundredandeightymilesaway，andshewouldbekindtohim。
　　"Onthewater?"
　　"Nay，byland；but'tisafinecountry，andyouwillseebeautifuldeerandthingsrunningacrosstheplains，and"——
　　"ShallIfindthepastagain，thepastagain?"
　　"Ay，poorsoul，thatweshall，Godwilling。YouandI，wewillhuntittogether。"
　　Helookedather，andgaveherhishand。"Iwillgowithyou。
　　Yourfacebelongstothepast，sodoesyourvoice。"
　　Hetheninquired，ratherabruptly，hadsheanychildren。Shesmiled。
　　"Ay，thatIhave，theloveliestlittleboyyoueversaw。Whenyouareasyouusedtobe，youwillbehisdoctor，won'tyou?"
　　"Yes，Iwillnursehim，andyouwillhelpmefindthepast。"
　　PhoebethenbeggedStainestobereadytostartatsixinthemorning。SheandDickwouldtakehimupontheirway。
　　Whileshewastalkingtohimthedoctorslippedout，andtotellthetruthhewenttoconsultwithanotherauthority，whetherheshouldtakethisopportunityoftellingStainesthathehadmoneyandjewelsatthebank:hehimselfwashalfinclinedtodoso；buttheother，whohadnotseenPhoebe'sface，advisedhimtodonothingofthekind。"Theyarealwaysshortofmoney，thesecolonialfarmers，"saidhe；"shewouldgeteveryshillingoutofhim。"
　　"Mostwould；butthisissuchanhonestface。"
　　"Well，butsheisamother，yousay。"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Well，whatmothercouldbejusttoalunatic，withherownsweetangelbabestoprovidefor?"
　　"Thatistrue，"saidDr。"Maternalloveisapttomodifytheconscience。"
　　"WhatIwoulddo，——Iwouldtakeheraddress，andmakeherpromisetowriteifhegetswell，andifhedoesgetwellthenwritetoHIM，andtellhimallaboutit。"
　　Dr——actedonthisshrewdadvice，andorderedabundletobemadeupforthetravelleroutofthehospitalstores:itcontainedanicelightsummersuitandtwochangesoflinen。
　　CHAPTERXVIII。
　　Nextmorning，StainesandDickDalewalkedthroughthestreetsofCapeTownsidebyside。Dickfelttheuneasinessofasaneman，notfamiliarwiththementallyafflicted，whosuddenlyfindshimselfalonewithone。Insanityturnsmenoftenestintosheepandhares；butitdoesnowandthenmakethemwolvesandtigers；andthathassaddledtheinsaneingeneralwithacharacterforferocity。YoungDale，then，castmanyasuspiciousglanceathiscomrade，ashetookhimalong。Theseglanceswerereassuring:
　　Christopher'sfacehadnolongerthemobility，theexpressivechanges，thatmarkthesuperiormind；hiscountenancewasmonotonous:buttheoneexpressionwasengaging；therewasasweet，patient，lamb-likelook:thegloriouseyealittletroubledandperplexed，butwonderfullymild。DickDalelookedandlooked，andhisuneasinessvanished。Andthemorehelooked，themoredidacertainwondercreepoverhim，andmakehimscarcebelievethethingheknew；viz。，thatalearneddoctorhadsavedhimfromthejawsofdeathbyrareknowledge，sagacity，courage，andskillcombined:andthatmightymanofwisdomwasbroughtdowntothislamb，andwouldgonorth，south，east，orwest，withsweetandperfectsubmission，evenashe，DickDale，shouldappoint。WiththesereflectionshonestDickfelthiseyesgetalittlemisty，and，tousethosewordsofScripture，whichnothingcansurpassorequal，hisbowelsyearnedovertheman。
　　AsforChristopher，helookedstraightforward，andsaidnotawordtilltheyclearedthetown；butwhenhesawthevastfloweryvale，andthefar-offviolethills，likeScotlandglorified，heturnedtoDickwithanineffableexpressionofsweetnessandgoodfellowship，andsaid，"Oh，beautiful!We'llhuntthepasttogether。"
　　"We——will——SO，"saidDick，withasturdyandindeedalmostasternresolution。
　　Now，thishesaid，notthathecaredforthepast，norintendedtowastethepresentbygoinguponitspredecessor'strail；buthehadcometoaresolution——fullthreeminutesago——tohumorhiscompaniontothetopofhisbent，andsay"Yes"withhypocriticalvigortoeverythingnotdirectlyandimmediatelydestructivetohimandhis。
　　Thenextmomenttheyturnedacornerandcameupontherestoftheirparty，hithertohiddenbytheapricothedgeandaturningintheroad。Ablue-blackKafir，withtwoyellowHottentotdrivers，manandboy，washarnessing，inthemostprimitivemode，fourhorsesontothesixoxenattachedtothewagon；andthehorseswereflatteningtheirears，andotherwiseresentingtheincongruity。Meantimeafourthfigure，acolossalyoungKafirwoman，lookedonsuperiorwithfoldedarms，likeasableJunolookingdownwiththatabsolutecomposureuponthestrugglesofmanandotheranimals，whichLucretiusandhismasterEpicurusassignedtotheDivinenature。Withoutjesting，thegrandeur，majesty，andreposeofthisfigurewereunsurpassableinnature，andsuchashavevanishedfromsculpturetwothousandyearsandmore。
　　DickDalejoinedthegroupimmediately，andsoonarrangedthematter。Meantime，Phoebedescendedfromthewagon，andwelcomedChristopherverykindly，andaskedhimifhewouldliketositbesideher，ortowalk。
　　Heglancedintothewagon；itwascoveredandcurtained，anddarkasacupboard。"Ithink，"saidhe，timidly，"Ishallseemoreofthepastouthere。"
　　"Soyouwill，poorsoul，"saidPhoebekindly，"andbetterforyourhealth:butyoumustnotgofarfromthewagon，forI'mafidget；
　　andIhavegotthecareofyounow，youknow，forwantofabetter。
　　Come，Ucatella；youmustridewithme，andhelpmesortthethings；
　　theyareallhiggledy-piggledy。"Sothosetwogotintothewagonthroughthebackcurtains。ThentheKafirdriverflourishedhiskambok，orlongwhip，intheair，andmadeitcracklikeapistol，andthehorsesreared，andtheoxenstartedandslowlyboredinbetweenthem，fortheywhinnied，andkicked，andspreadoutlikeafanallovertheroad；butaflickortwofromtheterriblekamboksoonsentthembleedingandtremblingandrubbingshoulders，andtheoxen，mildlybutpersistentlygoringtheirrecalcitratinghaunches，theintelligentanimalswentahead，andrevengedthemselvesbybreakingtheharness。ButthatgoesforlittleinCapetravel。
　　Thebodyofthewagonwaslongandlowandverystout。Thetiltstrongandtight-made。Theroofinside，andmostofthesides，linedwithgreenbaize。Curtainsofthesametothelittlewindowandtheback。Therewasasortofholdliterallybuiltfullofpurchases；asmallfireproofsafe；hugeblocksofsalt；saws，axes，pickaxes，adzes，flails，toolsinnumerable，balesofwoolandlinenstuff，hams，andtwohundredemptysacksstrewnoverall。Inlargepigeon-holesfixedtothesideswerelightgoods，groceries，collars，glaringcottonhandkerchiefsforPhoebe'saboriginaldomestics，sincenoteveryyeardidshegotoCapeTown，atwentydays'journeybywagon:thingsdangledfromtheveryroof；butnohardgoodsthere，ifyouplease，tobatterone'sheadinaspill。
　　Outsidewerelatticedgrooveswithtent，tent-poles，andrifles。
　　Greatpiecesofcork，andbagsofhayandcorn，hungdanglingfrommightyhooks——thelattertofeedthecattle，shouldtheybecompelledtocampoutonsomesterilespotontheVeldt，andmethinkstoactasbuffers，shouldthewholeconcernrolldownanullahorlittleprecipice，noveryuncommonincidentintheblessedregiontheymustpasstoreachDale'sKloof。
　　Harnessmended；freshstart。TheHottentotsandKafirvociferatedandyelled，andmadetheunearthlyrowofadozenwildbeastswrangling:thehorsesdrewthebullocks，theythewagon；itcrawledandcreaked，anditsappendageswobbledfinely。
　　Slowlytheycreakedandwobbledpastapricothedgesanddetachedhousesandhuts，andgotintoanopencountrywithoutatree，buthereandthereastuntedcamel-thorn。
　　Thesoilwasarid，andgrewlittlefoodformanorbeast；yet，byasingularfreakofnature，itputforthabundantlythingsthathereathomewefindithardertoraisethanhomelygrassandoats；thegroundwasthicklycladwithflowersofdelightfulhues；pyramidsofsnoworrose-colorborderedthetrack；yellowandcrimsonstarsbejewelledtheground，andathousandbulbousplantsburstintoallimaginablecolors，andspreadarainbowcarpettothefootoftheviolethills；andallthisglowed，andgleamed，andglitteredinasunshiningwithincrediblebrightnessandpurityoflight，but，somehow，withoutgivingaheadacheormakingtheairsultry。
　　Christopherfelltogatheringflowers，andinterrogatingthepastbymeansofthem；forhehadstudiedbotany:thepastgavehimbacksomepitiablyvagueideas。Hesighed。"Nevermind，"saidhetoDick，andtappedhisforehead:"itishere:itisonlylockedup。"
　　"Allright，"saidDick；"nothingislostwhenyouknowwhere'tis。"
　　"Thisisabeautifulcountry，"suggestedChristopher。"Itisallflowers。Itislikethegardenof——thegardenof——lockedup。"
　　"Itisde——light——ful，"repliedtheself-compelledoptimiststurdily。Butherenaturegaveway；hewasobligedtorelievehisagriculturalbilebygettingintothecartandcomplainingtohissister。"'Twilltakeusallourtimetocurehim。Hehavebeenbepraisingthisheresoil，whichitisonlyfittocleanthewomen'skettles。'Twouldn'tfeedthreelarkstoanacre，Iknow；
　　no，NORHALFSOMANY。"
　　"Poorsoul!mayhaptheflowershavetookhiseye。Sithereabit，Dick。Iwanttotalktoyouaboutamanythings。"
　　Whilethesetwowereconversing，Ucatella，whowasveryfondofPhoebe，butabhorredwagons，steppedoutandstalkedbytheside，likeanostrich，acamelopard，oraTaglioni；nordidtheeffortwithwhichshesubduedherstridetothepaceoftheprocessionappear:itwasthepoetryofwalking。Christopheradmireditamoment；butthenobleexpansetemptedhim，andhestrodeforthlikeagiant，hislungsinflatinginthegloriousair，andsoonleftthewagonfarbehind。
　　Theconsequencewasthatwhentheycametoahalt，andDickandPhoebegotouttoreleaseandwaterthecattle，therewasChristopher'sfigureretiringintospace。
　　"HancremaegretulitPhoebe，"asmyoldfriendLivywouldsay。
　　"Ohdear!ohdear!ifhestrayssofarfromus，hewillbeeatenupatnightfallbyjackals，orlions，orsomething。Oneofyoumustgoafterhim。"
　　"Mego，missy，"saidUcatellazealously，pleasedwithanexcuseforstretchinghermagnificentlimbs。
　　"Ay，butmayhaphewillnotcomebackwithYOU:willhe，Dick?"
　　"Thathewill，likealamb。"Dickwantedtolookafterthecattle。
　　"Yuke，mygirl，"saidPhoebe，"listen。Hehasbeenagoodfriendofoursintrouble；andnowheisnotquiterightHERE。Sobeverykindtohim，butbesureandbringhimback，orkeephimtillwecome。"
　　"Mebringhimbackalive，certainsure，"saidUcatella，smilingfromeartoear。Shestartedwithasuddenglide，likeaboattakingthewater，andappearedalmosttosaunteraway，soeasywasthemotion；butwhenyoulookedatthegroundshewascovering，thestride，orglide，orwhateveritwas，wasamazing。
　　"Sheseem'dinwalkingtodevourtheway。"
　　Christopherwalkedfast，butnothinglikethis；andashestoppedattimestobotanizeandgazeattheviolethills，andinterrogatethepast，shecameupwithhimaboutfivemilesfromthehalting-
　　place。
　　Shelaidherhandquietlyonhisshoulder，andsaid，withabroadgenialsmile，andamusicalchuckle，"Ucatellacomeforyou。Missywanttospeakyou。"
　　"Oh!verywell；"andheturnedbackwithher，directly；butshetookhimbythehandtomakesure；andtheymarchedbackpeaceably，insilence，andhandinhand。Buthelookedandlookedather，andatlasthestoppeddeadshort，andsaid，alittlearrogantly，"Come，IknowYOU。YOUarenotlockedup；"andheinspectedherpoint-blank。Shestoodlikeanantiquestatue，andfacedtheexamination。"Youare'thenoblesavage，'"saidhe，havingconcludedhisinspection。
　　"Nay，"saidshe。"Ibethehousemaid。"
　　"Thehousemaid?"
　　"Iss，thehousemaid，Ucatella。Socomeon。"Andshedrewhimalong，soreperplexed。
　　Theymetthecavalcadeamilefromthehalting-place，andPhoebeapologizedalittletoChristopher。"Ihopeyou'llexcuseme，sir，"saidshe，"butIamjustforalltheworldlikeahenwithherchickens；ifbutonestrays，I'mallinafluttertillIgethimback。"
　　"Madam，"saidChristopher，"Iamveryunhappyatthewaythingsarelockedup。Pleasetellmetruly，isthis'thehousemaid，'or'thenoblesavage'?"
　　"Well，sheisboth，ifyougotothat，andthebestcreatureeverbreathed。"
　　"ThensheIS'thenoblesavage'?"
　　"Ay，sotheycallher，becausesheisblack。"
　　"Then，thankHeaven，"saidChristopher，"thepastisnotalllockedup。"
　　Thatafternoontheystoppedataninn。ButDicksleptinthecart。
　　Atthreeinthemorningtheytooktheroadagain，andcreakedalongsupernaturallyloudunderapurplefirmamentstuddedwithhugestars，allbrightasmoons，thatlitthewayquiteclear，andshowedblackthingsinnumerableflittingtoandfro；thesemadePhoebeshudder，butwerenodoubtharmless；stillDickcarriedhisdoublerifle，andarevolverinhisbelt。