A Galahad of the Creeks; The Widow LamportLevett Yeats, S. (Sidney)
General
A Galahad of the Creeks; The Widow Lamport
Levett Yeats, S. (Sidney)
Burma -- Fiction; India -- Fiction
The two men shook hands and looked each other straight in the face.
Each saw the other's strength. It was later on they noticed the loose
rivets in each other's mail. After a few moments spent in desultory
conversation, during which Jackson heard and replied to the usual
question of how he liked the country, the two prepared to leave the
ship, and Peregrine sought the skipper to say adieu.
"Good-bye, captain."
"Good-bye. The next time you come with me I'll have the _nga-pe_ all
ready for you."
They were over the bridge, the guard of honour had presented arms, and
the Reverend Doctor Habakkuk Smalley, American missionary, was
introduced. Dr. Smalley performed the feat of shaking hands, of
mopping his face with a red handkerchief, and of asking Jackson if he
had "got it" all at once.
"Got it!" was the reply; "I should think we all did--got it nearly a
mile up. It was most horrible!"
Dr. Smalley groaned aloud, and stretched forth both hands in protest.
"Sir," he began, but Hawkshawe interposed.
"Excuse me for a moment, doctor, but I must introduce these people to
the new king," and he led up the portly native treasury officer to the
bewildered Jackson, who found himself compelled to make and to answer
civil speeches, while he was wondering how he could have given
offence. The presentations were rapidly brought to an end, and
Hawkshawe urged a move toward breakfast, turning to include Dr.
Smalley in the invitation; but the reverend gentleman was nowhere to
be seen. He had stalked off in high dudgeon.
"I've done something to offend Dr. Smalley; let me go after him and
explain, if I can, though what it can be I can't guess," said Jackson.
"I should think you have!" was the answer. "Fancy Smalley asking you
his usual question about your certainty of your salvation, and only
think of your reply!"
"But I meant that fearful-smelling compound!"
Hawkshawe's laugh pealed out loudly. "Well, if a man will speak of
religion like the measles, he must expect to be misunderstood. But
there is no use in saying anything now. I will square matters for you.
Smalley is a very good fellow really, and you will get to like him
and---- But you must be very hungry. My men will take your traps over
to your own place, and you have to breakfast with me, and can then go
on, if you like. Here is the trap. Jump in."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account