第2章

Norwhenhewasmovedonanddowntomakewayforsomene’er—do—wellwithinfluence，withabrother—in—lawintheSenate，withacousinowninganewspaper，withrichrelativeswhodesiredhimtodrinkhimselftodeathattheexpenseofthegovernmentratherthanattheirown，didoldmanMarshallpointtohisrecordasaclaimformorejusttreatment。 Andithadbeenanexcellentrecord。Hisofficialreports，inaquaint，statelyhand，weremodelsofEnglish；fullofinformation，intelligent，valuable，wellobserved。Andthosefewofhiscountrymen，whostumbleduponhimintheout—of—the—worldplacestowhichoflatehehadbeenbanished，wroteofhimtothedepartmentintermsofadmirationandawe。Neverhadheorhisfriendspetitionedforpromotion，untilitwasatlastapparentthat，saveforhisrecordandthememoryofhisdeadpatron，hehadnofriends。But，stillinthedepartmentthetraditionheldand，thoughhewasnotadvanced，hewasnotdismissed。 \"Ifthatoldman’sbeenfeedingfromthepublictrougheversincetheCivilWar，\"protesteda\"practical\"politician，\"itseemstome，Mr。Secretary，thathe’sabouthadhisshare。Ain’tittimehegivesomeoneelseabite？Someofusthathas，donethework，thathasbornethebrunt————\" \"Thisplacehenowholds，\"interruptedtheSecretaryofStatesuavely，\"isonehardlycommensuratewithserviceslikeyours。I can’tpronouncethenameofit，andI’mnotsurejustwhereitis，butIseethat，ofthelastsixconsulswesentthere，threeresignedwithinamonthandtheotherthreediedofyellow—fever。 Still，ifyou。insist————\" Thepracticalpoliticianreconsideredhastily。\"I’mnotthesort，\" heprotested，\"toturnoutamanappointedbyourmartyredPresident。Besides，he’ssooldnow，ifthefeverdon’tcatchhim，he’lldieofoldage，anyway。\" TheSecretarycougheduncomfortably。\"Andtheysay，\"hemurmured，\"republicsareungrateful。\" \"Idon’tquitegetthat，\"saidthepracticalpolitician。 OfPortoBanos，oftheRepublicofColombia，whereasconsulMr。 MarshallwasupholdingthedignityoftheUnitedStates，littlecouldbesaidexceptthatitpossessedasureharbor。WhendrivenfromtheCaribbeanSeabystressofweather，thelargestofoceantramps，andevenbattle—ships，couldfindinitsprotectingarmsofcoralasafeshelter。But，asyoungMr。Aiken，thewirelessoperator，pointedout，unlessdrivenbyahurricaneandthefearofdeath，nooneevervisitedit。Backoftheancientwharfs，thatdatedfromthedayswhenPortoBanoswasareceiverofstolengoodsforbuccaneersandpirates，wererowsofthatchedhuts，streets，accordingtotheseason，ofdustormud，afewiron—barred，jail—likebarracks，customhouses，municipalbuildings，andthewhitewashedadobehousesoftheconsuls。Thebackyardofthetownwasaswamp。Throughthisatfiveeachmorningarustyenginepulledatrainofflatcarstothebaseofthemountains，and，ifmeanwhiletherailshadnotdisappearedintotheswamp，atfiveintheeveningbroughtbacktheflatcarsladenwithodorouscoffeesacks。 InthedailylifeofPortoBanos，waitingforthereturnofthetrain，andbettingifitwouldreturn，wasthechiefinterest。Eachnighttheconsuls，theforeignresidents，thewirelessoperator，themanageroftherustyrailroadmetfordinner。Thereattheheadofthelongtable，byvirtueofhisyears，ofhiscourtesyanddistinguishedmanner，ofhisoffice，Mr。Marshallpresided。Ofthelittlebandofexileshewasthechosenruler。Hisrulewasgentle。 ByforceofexamplehehadmadeexistenceinPortoBanosmorepossible。ForwomenandchildrenPortoBanoswasadeath—trap，andbefore\"oldmanMarshall\"cametherehadbeennoinfluencetoremindtheenforcedbachelorsofotherdays。 Theyhadlostinterest，hadgrownlax，irritable，morose。Theirwhiteduckwasseldomwhite。Theircheekswereunshaven。WhenthesunsankintotheswampandtheheatstillturnedPortoBanosintoaTurkishbath，theythrewdiceonthegreasytablesoftheCafeBolivarfordrinks。Thepettygamblingledtopettyquarrels；thedrinkstofever。ThecomingofMr。Marshallchangedthat。Hisstandardoflife，histact，hisworldlywisdom，hischeerfulcourtesy，hisfastidiouspersonalneatnessshamedtheyoungermen； thedesiretopleasehim，to，standwellinhisgoodopinion，broughtbackprideandself—esteem。 ThelieutenantofherMajesty’sgun—boatPLOVERnotedthechange。 \"Usedtobe，\"heexclaimed，\"youcouldn’tgetoutoftheCafeBolivarwithoutsomeonestickingaknifeinyou；nowit’sadebatingclub。Theyallsitroundatableandlistentoanoldgentlemantalkworldpolitics。\" IfHenryMarshallbroughtcontenttotheexilesofPortoBanos，therewaslittleinreturnthatPortoBanoscouldgivetohim。 Magazinesandcorrespondentsinsixlanguageskepthimintouchwiththoseforeignlandsinwhichhehadrepresentedhiscountry，butofthecountryhehadrepresented，newspapersandperiodicalsshowedhimonlytooclearlythatinfortyyearsithadgrownawayfromhim，hadchangedbeyondrecognition。 WhenlasthehadcalledattheStateDepartment，hehadbeenmadetofeelhewasamanwithoutacountry，andwhenhevisitedhishometowninVermont，hewaslookeduponasaRipVanWinkle。Thoseofhisboyhoodfriendswhowerenotdeadhadlongthoughtofhimasdead。Andthesleepy，prettyvillagehadbecomeabustlingcommercialcentre。Inthelaneswhere，asayoungman，hehadwalkedamongwheatfields，trolley—carswhirledbetweenrowsofmillsandfactories。Thechildrenhadgrowntomanhood，withchildrenoftheirown。 Likeaghost，hesearchedforhouseafterhouse，whereoncehehadbeenmadewelcome，onlytofindinitsplaceatoweringofficebuilding。\"Allhadgone，theoldfamiliarfaces。\"Invainhescannedeventheshopfrontsforafriendly，homelikename。Whetherthefaultwashis，whetherhewouldbetterhaveservedhisownintereststhanthoseofhisgovernment，itnowwastoolatetodetermine。Inhisownhome，hewasastrangeramongstrangers。Intheservicehehadsofaithfullyfollowed，rankbyrank，hehadbeendropped，untilnowhe，whotwicehadbeenaconsul—general，wasanexile，banishedtoafeverswamp。ThegreatShipofStatehaddroppedhimoverside，had\"marooned\"him，andsailedaway。 TwiceadayhewalkedalongtheshellroadtotheCafeBolivar，andbackagaintotheconsulate。There，asheenteredtheouteroffice，Jose\"theColombianclerk，wouldriseandbowprofoundly。 \"Anypapersformetosign，Jose？\"theconsulwouldask。 \"Notto—day，Excellency，\"theclerkwouldreply。ThenJosewouldreturntowritingalettertohislady—love；notthattherewasany—thingtotellher，butbecausewritingontheofficialpaperoftheconsulategavehimimportanceinhiseyes，andinhers。Andintheinnerofficetheconsulwouldcontinuetogazeattheemptyharbor，theemptycoralreefs，theempty，burningsky。 ThelittlebandofexileswereatsecondbreakfastwhenthewirelessmancameinlatetoannouncethataRedD。boatandtheislandofCuracaohadbothreportedahurricanecomingnorth。Also，thatmuchconcernwasfeltforthesafetyoftheyachtSERAPIS。 Threedaysbefore，inadvanceofhercoming，shehadsentawirelesstoWilhelmstad，askingthecaptainoftheporttoreserveaberthforher。Sheexpectedtoarrivethefollowingmorning。Butforforty—eighthoursnothinghadbeenheardfromher，anditwasbelievedshehadbeenoverhauledbythehurricane。OwingtothepresenceonboardofSenatorHanley，theclosestfriendofthenewPresident，themanwhohadmadehimpresident，muchconcernwasfeltatWashington。Totrytopickherupbywireless，thegun—boatNEWARKhadbeenorderedfromCulebra，thecruiserRALEIGH，withAdmiralHardyonboard，fromColon。ItwaspossibleshewouldseekshelteratPortoBanos。Theconsulwasorderedtoreport。 AsMarshallwroteouthisanswer，theFrenchconsulexclaimedwithinterest： \"Heisofimportance，then，thissenator？\"heasked。\"Isitthatinyourcountryshipsofwarareattheserviceofasenator？\" Aiken，thewirelessoperator，grinnedderisively。 \"AttheserviceofTHISsenator，theyare！\"heanswered。\"Theycallhimthe’king—maker，’themanbehindthethrone。\" \"Butinyourcountry，\"protestedtheFrenchman，\"thereisnothrone。Ithoughtyourpresidentwaselectedbythepeople？\" \"That’swhatthepeoplethink，\"answeredAiken。\"InGod’scountry，\" heexplained，\"thetrustswantarichmanintheSenate，withthesameinterestsastheirown，torepresentthem。TheychoseHanley。 Hepickedoutofthecandidatesforthepresidencythemanhethoughtwouldhelptheinterests。Henominatedhim，andthepeoplevotedforhim。Hanleyiswhatwecalla’boss。’\" TheFrenchmanlookedinquiringlyatMarshall。 \"Thepositionofthebossisthemoredangerous，\"saidMarshallgravely，\"becauseitisunofficial，becausetherearenolawstocurtailhispowers。MenlikeSenatorHanleyareamenacetogoodgovernment。Theyseeinpublicofficeonlyarewardforpartyworkers。\" \"That’sright，\"assentedAiken。\"Yourfortyyears’service，Mr。 Consul，wouldn’tcountwithHanley。Ifhewantedyourjob，he’dthrowyououtasquickashewouldadrunkencook。\" Mr。Marshallflushedpainfully，andtheFrenchconsulhastenedtointerrupt。 \"Then，letuspray，\"heexclaimed，withfervor，\"thatthehurricanehassunktheSERAPIS，andallonboard。\" Twohourslater，theSERAPIS，showingshehadmetthehurricaneandhadcomeoutsecondbest，steamedintotheharbor。 HerownerwasyoungHerbertLivingstone，ofWashington。Heoncehadbeeninthediplomaticservice，and，asministertoTheHague，wishedtoreturntoit。Inordertobringthisabouthehadsubscribedliberallytothepartycampaignfund。 Withhim，amongotherdistinguishedpersons，wastheall—powerfulHanley。ThekidnappingofHanleyforthecruise，initself，demonstratedtheabilityofLivingstoneasadiplomat。Itwastheopinionofmanythatitwouldsurelyleadtohisappointmentasaministerplenipotentiary。Livingstonewasofthesameopinion。Hehadnotlivedlonginthenation’scapitalwithoutobservingthevalueofpropinquity。Howmanymenheknewwerenowpaymasters，andsecretariesoflegation，solelybecausethosehighinthegovernmentmetthemdailyattheMetropolitanClub，andpreferredtheminalmostanyotherplace。Andif，afterthreeweeksashisguestonboardwhatthenewspaperscalledhisfloatingpalace，thesenatorcouldrefusehimeventheprize，legationofEurope，therewasnovalueinmodestmerit。Asyet，Livingstonehadnothintedathisambition。Therewasnoneed。ToastatesmanofHanley’sastuteness，thelargenessofLivingstone’scontributiontothecampaignfundwasself—explanatory。 Afterherwrestling—matchwiththehurricane，allthoseonboardtheSERAPISseemedtofindinland，evenintheswamplandofPortoBanos，acompellingattraction。Beforetheanchorshitthewater，theywereinthelaunch。Onreachingshore，theymadeatoncefortheconsulate。Thereweremanycablestheywishedtostartontheirwaybywireless；cablestofriends，tonewspapers，tothegovernment。 Jose，theColombianclerk，appalledbytheunprecedentedinvasionofvisitors，ofvisitorssodistinguished，andMarshall，gratefulforachancetoservehisfellow—countrymen，andespeciallyhiscountrywomen，wereubiquitous，eager，indispensable。AtJose’sdeskthegreatsenator，rollinghiscigarbetweenhisteeth，wasusing，toJose’secstasy，Jose’sownpentowriteareassuringmessagetotheWhiteHouse。Attheconsul’sdeskabeautifulcreature，allinlaceandpearls，wasstrugglingtocompresstheverylowopinionsheheldofahurricaneintotenwords。Onhisknee，HenryCairns，thebanker，wasinditinginstructionstohisWallStreetoffice，anduponhimselfLivingstonehadtakentheresponsibilityofreplyingtotheinquiriesheapeduponMarshall’sdesk，frommanynewspapers。 Itwasjustbeforesunset，andMarshallproducedhisteathings，andtheyoungpersoninpearlsandlace，whowasMissCairns，madeteaforthewomen，andthemenmixedginandlimeswithtepidwater。Theconsulapologizedforproposingatoastinwhichtheycouldnotjoin。Hebeggedtodrinktothosewhohadescapedtheperilsofthesea。Hadtheybeenhisoldestandnearestfriends，hislittlespeechcouldnothavebeenmoreheart—feltandsincere。 Tohisdistress，itmovedoneoftheladiestotears，andinembarrassmentheturnedtothemen。 \"Iregretthereisnoice，\"hesaid，\"butyouknowtheruleofthetropics；assoonasashipentersport，theice—machinebursts。\" \"I’lltellthestewardtosendyousome，sir，\"saidLivingstone，\"andaslongaswe’rehere。\" Thesenatorshowedhisconcern。 \"Aslongaswe’rehere？\"hegasped。 \"Notovertwodays，\"answeredtheownernervously。\"Thechiefsaysitwilltakeallofthattogetherinshape。Asyououghttoknow，Senator，shewasprettybadlymauled。\" Thesenatorgazedblanklyoutofthewindow。Beyonditlaythenakedcoralreefs，theemptysky，andtheraggedpalmsofPortoBanos。 Livingstonefeltthathislegationwasslippingfromhim。 \"Thatwirelessoperator，\"hecontinuedhastily，\"tellsmethereisamostamusingplaceafewmilesdownthecoast，LasBocas，asortofConeyIsland，wherethegovernmentpeoplegoforthesummer。 There’ssurfbathingandrouletteandcafeschantants。Hesaysthere’ssomeSpanishdancers————\" TheguestsoftheSERAPISexclaimedwithinterest；thesenatorsmiled。ToMarshallthegeneralenthusiasmoverthethoughtofarideonamerry—go—roundsuggestedthatthefriendsofMr。 Livingstonehadfoundtheirownsocietyfarfromsatisfying。 Greatlyencouraged，Livingstonecontinued，withenthusiasm： \"Andthatwirelessmansaid，\"headded，\"thatwiththelaunchwecangetthereinhalfanhour。Wemightrundownafterdinner。\"HeturnedtoMarshall。 \"Willyoujoinus，Mr。Consul？\"heasked，\"anddinewithus，first？\" Marshallacceptedwithgenuinepleasure。Ithadbeenmanymonthssincehehadsatattablewithhisownpeople。Butheshookhisheaddoubtfully。 \"IwaswonderingaboutLasBocas，\"heexplained，\"ifyourgoingtheremightnotgetyouintroubleatthenextport。Withayacht，Ithinkitisdifferent，butLasBocasisunderquarantine\" Therewasachorusofexclamations。 \"It’snotserious，\"Marshallexplained。\"Therewasbubonicplaguethere，orsomethinglikeit。Youwouldbeinnodangerfromthat。 Itisonlythatyoumightbeheldupbytheregulations。Passengersteamerscan’tlandanyonewhohasbeenthereatanyotherportoftheWestIndies。TheEnglishareespeciallystrict。TheRoyalMailwon’tevenreceiveanyoneonboardherewithoutacertificatefromtheEnglishconsulsayinghehasnotvisitedLasBocas。ForanAmericantheywouldrequirethesameguaranteefromme。ButIdon’tthinktheregulationsextendtoyachts。Iwillinquire。Idon’twishtodepriveyouofanyofthemanypleasuresofPortoBanos，\" headded，smiling，\"butifyouwererefusedalandingatyournextportIwouldblamemyself。\" \"It’sallright，\"declaredLivingstonedecidedly。\"It’sjustasyousay；yachtsandwarshipsareexempt。Besides，Icarrymyowndoctor，andifhewon’tgiveusacleanbillofhealth，I’llmakehimwalktheplank。Ateight，then，atdinner。I’llsendthecutterforyou。Ican’tgiveyouasalute，Mr。Consul，butyoushallhaveallthesideboysIcanmuster。\" Thosefromtheyachtpartedfromtheirconsulinthemostfriendlyspirit。 \"Ithinkhe’scharming！\"exclaimedMissCairns。\"Anddidyounoticehisnovels？Theywereineverylanguage。Itmustbeterriblylonelydownhere，foramanlikethat。\" \"He’sthefirstofourconsulswe’vemetonthistrip，\"growledherfather，\"thatwe’vecaughtsober。\" \"Sober！\"exclaimedhiswifeindignantly。 \"He’soneoftheMarshallsofVermont。Iaskedhim。\" \"Iwonder，\"musedHanley，\"howmuchtheplaceisworth？Hamilton，oneofthenewsenators，hasbeendevilingthelifeoutofmetosendhissonsomewhere。SaysifhestaysinWashingtonhe’lldisgracethefamily。Ishouldthinkthisplacewoulddriveanymantodrinkhimselftodeathinthreemonths，andyoungHamilton，fromwhatI’veseenofhim，oughttobeabletodoitinaweek。Thatwouldleavetheplaceopenforthenextman。\" \"There’sapostmasterinmyStatethinkshecarriedit。\"Thesenatorsmiledgrimly。\"Hehasconsumption，andwantsustogivehimaconsulshipinthetropics。I’lltellhimI’veseenPortoBanos，andthatit’sjusttheplaceforhim。\" Thesenator’spleasantrywasnotwellreceived。ButMissCairnsalonehadthetemeritytospeakofwhattheotherswerethinking。 \"WhatwouldbecomeofMr。Marshall？\"sheasked。Thesenatorsmiledtolerantly。 \"Idon’tknowthatIwasthinkingofMr。Marshall，\"hesaid。\"I can’trecallanythinghehasdoneforthisadministration。Yousee，MissCairns，\"heexplained，inthetoneofoneaddressingasmallchild，\"Marshallhasbeenabroadnowforfortyyears，attheexpenseofthetaxpayers。Someofusthinkmenwhohavelivedthatlongontheirfellow—countrymenhadbettercomehomeandgettowork。\" Livingstonenoddedsolemnlyinassent。Hedidnotwishapostabroadattheexpenseofthetaxpayers。Hewaswillingtopayforit。Andthen，with\"ex—Minister\"onhisvisitingcards，andasenseofdutywellperformed，fortherestofhislifehecouldjointheotherexpatriatesinParis。 Justbeforedinner，thecruiserRALEIGHhavingdiscoveredthewhereaboutsoftheSERAPISbywireless，enteredtheharbor，andAdmiralHardycametotheyachttocalluponthesenator，inwhosebehalfhehadbeenscouringtheCaribbeanSeas。Havingpaidhisrespectstothatpersonage，theadmiralfellboisterouslyuponMarshall。 Thetwooldgentlemenwerefriendsofmanyyears。Theyhadmet，officiallyandunofficially，inmanystrangepartsoftheworld。Toeachthechancereunionwasapieceoftremendousgoodfortune。AndthroughoutdinnertheguestsofLivingstone，alreadyboredwitheachother，foundinthemandtheirtalkofformerdaysnewanddelightfulentertainment。Somuchsothatwhen，Marshallhavingassuredthemthatthelocalquarantineregulationsdidnotextendtoayacht，themendepartedforLasBocas，thewomeninsistedthatheandadmiralremainbehind。 ItwasforMarshallawondrousevening。ToforegatherwithhisoldfriendwhomhehadknownsinceHardywasamadmidshipman，tositatthefeetofhisowncharmingcountrywomen，tolistentotheirsoft，modulatedlaughter，tonotehowquicklytheysawthattohimtheeveningwasagreatevent，andwithwhattacteachcontributedtomakeitthemorememorable；allservedtowipeoutthemonthsofbitterloneliness，thestigmaoffailure，thesenseofundeservedneglect。Inthemoonlight，onthecoolquarter—deck，theysat，inahalf—circle，eachofthetwofriendstellingtalesoutofschool，talesofwhichtheotherwastheheroorthevictim，\"inside\" storiesofgreatoccasions，ceremonies，bombardments，unrecorded\"shirt—sleeve\"diplomacy。 HardyhadhelpedtoopentheSuezCanal。MarshallhadassistedtheQueenofMadagascartoescapefromtheFrenchinvaders。OntheBarbaryCoastHardyhadchasedpirates。InEdinburghMarshallhadplayedchesswithCarlyle。HehadseenParisinmourninginthedaysofthesiege，ParisinterrorinthedaysoftheCommune；hehadknownGaribaldi，Gambetta，theyoungerDumas，thecreatorofPickwick。 \"DoyourememberthattimeinTangier，\"theadmiralurged，whenI wasamidshipman，andgotintothebashaw’sharem？\" \"DoyourememberhowIgotyouout？Marshallrepliedgrimly。 \"And，\"demandedHardy，\"doyourememberwhenAdelinaPattipaidavisittotheKEARSARGEatMarseillesin’65——GeorgeDeweywasoursecondofficer——andyouwerebowingandbackingawayfromher，andyoubackedintoanopenhatch，andshesaid’myFrenchisn’tuptoit’whatwasitshesaid？\" \"Ididn’thearit，\"saidMarshall；\"Iwastoofardownthehatch。\" \"DoyoumeantheoldKEARSARGE？\"askedMrs。Cairns。\"Wereyouintheservicethen，Mr。Marshall？\" Withloyalprideinhisfriend，theadmiralansweredforhim： \"Hewasourconsul—generalatMarseilles！\" Therewasanuncomfortablemoment。Eventhosedeniedimaginationcouldnotescapethecontrast，couldseeintheirmind’seyethegreatharborofMarseilles，crowdedwiththeshippingoftheworld，surroundingitthebeautifulcity，therivalofParistothenorth，andonthebattleshiptheyoungconsul—generalmakinghisbowtotheyoungEmpressofSong。Andnow，beforetheiractualeyes，theysawthevillageofPortoBanos，ablackstreakinthenight，arowofmudshacks，attheendofthewharfasinglelanternyellowintheclearmoonlight。 LaterintheeveningMissCairnsledtheadmiraltooneside。 \"Admiral，\"shebeganeagerly，\"tellmeaboutyourfriend。Whyishehere？Whydon’ttheygivehimaplaceworthyofhim？I’veseenmanyofourrepresentativesabroad，andIknowwecannotaffordtowastemenlikethat。\"Thegirlexclaimedindignantly：\"He’soneofthemostinterestingmenI’veevermet！He’slivedeverywhere，knowneveryone。He’sadistinguishedman，acultivatedman；evenIcanseeheknowshiswork，thathe’sadiplomat，born，trained，thathe’s————\"Theadmiralinterruptedwithagrowl。 \"Youdon’thavetotellMEaboutHenry，\"heprotested。\"I’veknownHenrytwenty—fiveyears。IfHenrygothisdeserts，\"heexclaimedhotly，\"hewouldn’tbeaconsulonthiscoralreef；he’dbeaministerinEurope。Lookatme！We’rethesameage。Westartedtogether。WhenLincolnsenthimtoMoroccoasconsul，hesignedmycommissionasamidshipman。NowI’manadmiral。Henryhastwicemybrainsandhe’sbeenaconsul—general，andhe’sHERE，backatthefootoftheladder！\" \"Why？\"demandedthegirl。 \"Becausethenavyisaserviceandtheconsularserviceisn’taservice。MenlikeSenatorHanleyuseittopaytheirdebts。WhileHenry’sbeenservinghiscountryabroad，he’slosthisfriends，losthis’pull。’ThosepoliticiansupatWashingtonhavenouseforhim。Theydon’tconsiderthataconsullikeHenrycanmakeamilliondollarsforhiscountrymen。Hecankeepthemfromshippinggoodswherethere’snomarket，showthemwherethereisamarket。\" Theadmiralsnortedcontemptuously。\"Youdon’thavetotellMEthevalueofagoodconsul。Butthosepoliticiansdon’tconsiderthat。 Theyonlyseethathehasajobworthafewhundreddollars，andtheywantit，andifhehasn’totherpoliticianstoprotecthim，they’lltakeit。\"Thegirlraisedherhead。 \"Whydon’tyouspeaktothesenator？\"sheasked。\"Tellhimyou’veknownhimforyears，that————\" \"Gladtodoit！\"exclaimedtheadmiralheartily。\"Itwon’tbethefirsttime。ButHenrymustn’tknow。He’stooconfoundedlytouchy。 HehatestheIDEAofinfluence，hatesmenlikeHanley，whoabuseit。Ifhethoughtanythingwasgiventohimexceptonhismerits，hewouldn’ttakeit。\" \"Thenwewon’ttellhim，\"saidthegirl。Foramomentshehesitated。 \"IfIspoketoMr。Hanley，\"sheasked，\"toldhimwhatIlearnedto—nightofMr。Marshall，\"wouldithaveanyeffect？\" \"Don’tknowhowitwillaffectHanley，saidthesailor，\"butifyouaskedmetomakeanybodyaconsul—general，I’dmakehimanambassador。\" LaterintheeveningHanleyandLivingstonewereseatedaloneondeck。ThevisittoLasBocashadnotprovedamusing，but，muchtoLivingstone’srelief，hishonoredguestwasnowingood—humor。Hetookhiscigarfromhislips，onlytosipatalongcooldrink。Hewasinamoodflatteringlyconfidentialandcommunicative。 \"PeoplehavethestrangestideaofwhatIcandoforthem，\"helaughed。Itwashisposetopretendhewaswithoutauthority。\"TheybelieveI’veonlytowaveawand，andgetthemanythingtheywant。 IthoughtI’dbesafefromthemonboardayacht。\" Livingstone，inignoranceofwhatwascoming，squirmedapprehensively。 \"Butitseems，\"thesenatorwenton，\"I’matthemercyofaconspiracy。ThewomenfolkwantmetodosomethingforthisfellowMarshall。Iftheyhadtheirway，they’dsendhimtotheCourtofSt。James。AndoldHardy，too，tackledmeabouthim。SodidMissCairns。 AndthenMarshallhimselfgotmebehindthewheel—house，andI thoughthewasgoingtotellmehowgoodhewas，tooIButhedidn’t。\" Asthoughthejokewereonhimself，thesenatorlaughedappreciatively。 \"Toldme，instead，thatHardyoughttobeavice—admiral。\" Livingstone，also，laughed，withthesatisfiedairofonewhocannotbetricked。 \"Theyfixeditupbetweenthem，\"heexplained，\"eachwastoputinagoodwordfortheother。\"Henoddedeagerly。\"That’swhatI think。\" ThereweremomentsduringthecruisewhenSenatorHanleywouldhavefoundreliefindroppinghishostoverboard。Withmockdeference，theoldermaninclinedhishead。 \"That’swhatyouthink，isit？\"heasked。\"Livingstone，\"headded，\"youcertainlyareagreatjudgeofmen！\" Thenextmorning，oldmanMarshallwokewithalightnessathisheartthathadbeenlongabsent。Foramoment，consciousonlythathewashappy，helaybetweensleepandwaking，frowningupathiscanopyofmosquitonet，tryingtorealizewhatchangehadcometohim。Thenheremembered。Hisoldfriendhadreturned。Newfriendshadcomeintohislifeandwelcomedhimkindly。Hewasnolongerlonely。Aseagerasaboy，herantothewindow。Hehadnotbeendreaming。Intheharborlaytheprettyyacht，thestately，white—hulledwar—ship。Theflagthatdroopedfromthesternofeachcausedhisthroattotighten，broughtwarmtearstohiseyes，freshresolvetohisdiscouraged，troubledspirit。Whenhekneltbesidehisbed，hisheartpouredouthisthanksingratitudeandgladness。 Whilehewasdressing，ablue—jacketbroughtanotefromtheadmiral。Itinvitedhimtoteaonboardthewar—ship，withtheguestsoftheSERAPIS。Hisoldfriendaddedthathewascomingtolunchwithhisconsul，andwantedtimereservedforalongtalk。 Theconsulagreedgladly。Hewasinholidayhumor。Thedaypromisedtorepeatthegoodmomentsofthenightprevious。 Atnineo’clock，throughtheopendooroftheconsulate，MarshallsawAiken，thewirelessoperator，signalingfromthewharfexcitedlytotheyacht，andaboatleavetheshipandreturn。 Almostimmediatelythelaunch，carryingseveralpassengers，againmadethetripshoreward。 Halfanhourlater，SenatorHanley，MissCairns，andLivingstonecameupthewaterfront，andenteringtheconsulate，seatedthemselvesaroundMarshall’sdesk。Livingstonewassunkinmelancholy。Thesenator，on。thecontrary，wassmilingbroadly。Hismannerwasoneofdistinctrelief。Hegreetedtheconsulwithheartygood—humor。 \"I’morderedhome！\"heannouncedgleefully。Then，rememberingthepresenceofLivingstone，hehastenedtoadd：\"Ineedn’tsayhowsorryIamtogiveupmyyachtingtrip，butordersareorders。ThePresident，\"heexplainedtoMarshall，\"cablesmethismorningtocomebackandtakemycoatoff。\"Theprospect，asachangefromplayingbridgeonapleasureboat，seemedfarfromdepressinghim。 \"ThosefilibustersintheSenate，\"hecontinuedgenially，\"aremakingtroubleagain。Theythinkthey’vegotmeoutofthewayforanothermonth，butthey’llfindthey’rewrong。Whenthatbillcomesup，they’llfindmeattheoldstandandreadyforbusiness！\" Marshalldidnotattempttoconcealhispersonaldisappointment。 \"Iamsosorryyouareleaving，\"hesaid；\"selfishlysorry，Imean。 I’dhopedyouallwouldbehereforseveraldays。\"HelookedinquiringlytowardLivingstone。 \"IunderstoodtheSERAPISwasdisabled，\"heexplained。 \"Sheis，\"answeredHanley。\"So’stheRALEIGH。Atapinch，theadmiralmighthavestretchedtheregulationsandcarriedmetoJamaica，buttheRALEIGH’senginesareknockedabouttoo。I’veGOT toreachKingstonThursday。TheGermanboatleavesthereThursdayforNewYork。AtfirstitlookedasthoughIcouldn’tdoit，butwefindthattheRoyalMailisdueto—day，andshecangettoKingstonWednesdaynight。It’sagreatpieceofluck。Iwouldn’tbotheryouwithmytroubles，\"thesenatorexplainedpleasantly，\"buttheagentoftheRoyalMailherewon’tsellmeaticketuntilyou’veputyoursealtothis。\"Heextendedapieceofprintedpaper。 AsHanleyhadbeentalking，thefaceoftheconsulhadgrowngrave。 Heacceptedthepaper，butdidnotlookatit。Instead，heregardedthesenatorwithtroubledeyes。Whenhespoke，histonewasoneofgenuineconcern。 \"Itismostunfortunate，\"hesaid。\"ButIamafraidtheROYALMAIL willnottakeyouonboard。BecauseofLasBocas，\"heexplained。 \"Ifwehadonlyknown！\"headdedremorsefully。\"ItisMOST unfortunate。\" \"BecauseofLasBocas？\"echoedHanley。 \"Youdon’tmeanthey’llrefusetotakemetoJamaicabecauseI spenthalfanhourattheendofawharflisteningtoasqueakygramophone？\" \"Thetrouble，\"explainedMarshall，\"isthis：iftheycarriedyou，alltheotherpassengerswouldbeheldinquarantinefortendays，andtherearefinestopay，andtherewouldbedifficultiesoverthemails。But，\"headdedhopefully，\"maybetheregulationshavebeenaltered。Iwillseehercaptain，andtellhim————\" \"Seehercaptain！\"objectedHanley。\"Whyseethecaptain？Hedoesn’tknowI’vebeentothatplace。Whytellhim？AllIneedisacleanbillofhealthfromyou。That’sallHEwants。Youhaveonlytosignthatpaper。\"Marshallregardedthesenatorwithsurprise。 \"ButIcan’t，\"hesaid。 \"Youcan’t？Whynot？\" \"BecauseitcertifiestothefactthatyouhavenotvisitedLasBocas。Unfortunately，youhavevisitedLasBocas。\" Thesenatorhadbeenwalkingupanddowntheroom。Nowheseatedhimself，andstaredatMarshallcuriously。 \"It’slikethis，Mr。Marshall，\"hebeganquietly。\"ThePresidentdesiresmypresenceinWashington，thinksIcanbeofsomeusetohimthereinhelpingcarryoutcertainpartymeasures——measurestowhichhepledgedhimselfbeforehiselection。Downhere，aBritishsteamshiplinehaslaiddownlocalruleswhich，inmycaseanyway，areridiculous。Thequestionis，areyougoingtobeboundbytheredtapeofaha’pennyBritishcolony，orbyyouroathtothePresidentoftheUnitedStates？\" ThesophistryamusedMarshall。Hesmiledgood—naturedlyandshookhishead。 \"I’mafraid，Senator，\"hesaid，\"thatwayofputtingitishardlyfair。Unfortunately，thequestionisoneoffact。Iwillexplaintothecaptain————\" \"Youwillexplainnothingtothecaptain！\"interruptedHanley。 \"Thisisamatterwhichconcernsnoonebutourtwoselves。Iamnotaskingfavorsofsteamboatcaptains。IamaskinganAmericanconsultoassistanAmericancitizenintrouble，and，\"headded，withheavysarcasm，\"incidentally，tocarryoutthewishesofhisPresident。\" Marshallregardedthesenatorwithanexpressionofbothsurpriseanddisbelief。 \"Areyouaskingmetoputmynametowhatisnotso？\"hesaid。\"Areyouserious？\" \"Thatpaper，Mr。Marshall，\"returnedHanleysteadily，\"isamereform，apieceofredtape。There’snomoredangerofmycarryingtheplaguetoJamaicathanofmycarryingadynamitebomb。YouKNOW that。\" \"IDOknowthat，\"assentedMarshallheartily。\"Iappreciateyourposition，andIregretitexceedingly。Youaretheinnocentvictimofaregulationwhichisawiseregulation，butwhichismostunfairtoyou。Myownposition，\"headded，\"isnotimportant，butyoucanbelieveme，itisnoteasy。Itiscertainlynopleasureformetobeunabletohelpyou。\" Hanleywasleaningforward，hishandsonhisknees，hiseyeswatchingMarshallclosely。\"Thenyourefuse？\"hesaid。\"Why？\" Marshallregardedthesenatorsteadily。Hismannerwasuntroubled。 ThelookheturneduponHanleywasoneofgravedisapproval。 \"Youknowwhy，\"heansweredquietly。\"Itisimpossible。\" InsuddenangerHanleyrose。Marshall，whohadbeenseatedbehindhisdesk，alsorose。Foramoment，insilence，thetwomenconfrontedeachother。ThenHanleyspoke；histonewasharshandthreatening。 \"ThenIamtounderstand，\"heexclaimed，\"thatyourefusetocarryoutthewishesofaUnitedStatesSenatorandofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates？\" InfrontofMarshall，onhisdesk，wasthelittleironstampoftheconsulate。Protectingly，almostcaressingly，helaidhishanduponit。 \"Irefuse，\"hecorrected，\"toplacethesealofthisconsulateonalie。\" Therewasamoment’spause。MissCairns，unwillingtoremain，andunabletowithdraw，claspedherhandsunhappilyandstaredatthefloor。Livingstoneexclaimedinindignantprotest。Hanleymovedastepnearerand，toemphasizewhathesaid，tappedhisknucklesonthedesk。Withtheairofoneconfidentofhisadvantage，hespokeslowlyandsoftly。 \"Doyouappreciate，\"heasked，\"that，whileyoumaybeofsomeimportancedownhereinthisfeverswamp，inWashingtonIamsupposedtocarrysomeweight？DoyouappreciatethatIamasenatorfromaStatethatnumbersfourmillionsofpeople，andthatyouarepreventingmefromservingthosepeople？\" Marshallinclinedhisheadgravelyandpolitely。 \"AndIwantyoutoappreciate，\"hesaid，\"thatwhileIhavenoweightatWashington，inthisfeverswampIhavethehonortorepresenteightymillionsofpeople，andaslongasthatconsularsignisovermydoorIdon’tintendtoprostituteitforYOU，orthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，oranyoneofthoseeightymillions。\" Ofthetwomen，thefirsttolowerhiseyeswasHanley。Helaughedshortly，andwalkedtothedoor。Thereheturned，andindifferently，asthoughtheincidentnolongerinterestedhim，drewouthiswatch。 \"Mr。Marshall，\"hesaid，\"ifthecableisworking，I’lltakeyourtinsignawayfromyoubysunset。\" ForoneofMarshall’straditions，tosuchaspeechtherewasnoanswersavesilence。Hebowed，and，apparentlysereneandundismayed，resumedhisseat。Fromthecontest，judgingfromthemannerofeach，itwasMarshall，notHanley，whohademergedvictorious。 ButMissCairnswasnotdeceived。Undertheunexpectedblow，Marshallhadturnedolder。Hisclearblueeyeshadgrownlessalert，hisbroadshouldersseemedtostoop。Insympathy，herowneyesfilledwithsuddentears。 \"Whatwillyoudo？\"shewhispered。 \"Idon’tknowwhatIshalldo，\"saidMarshallsimply。\"Ishouldhavelikedtohaveresigned。It’saprettierfinish。Afterfortyyears——tobedismissedbycableis——it’sapoorwayofendingit。\" MissCairnsroseandwalkedtothedoor。Theresheturnedandlookedback。 \"Iamsorry，\"shesaid。Andbothunderstoodthatinsayingnomorethanthatshehadbestshownhersympathy。 AnhourlaterthesympathyofAdmiralHardywasexpressedmoredirectly。 \"Ifhecomesonboardmyship，\"roaredthatgentleman，\"I’llpushhimdownanammunitionhoistandbreakhisdamnedneck！\" Marshalllaugheddelightedly。Theloyaltyofhisoldfriendwasneversowelcome。 \"You’lltreathimwitheverycourtesy，\"hesaid。\"Theonlysatisfactionhegetsoutofthisistoseethathehashurtme。Wewillnotgivehimthatsatisfaction。\" ButMarshallfoundthattoconcealhiswoundwasmoredifficultthanhehadanticipated。When，atteatime，onthedeckofthewar—ship，heagainmetSenatorHanleyandtheguestsoftheSERAPIS，hecouldnotforgetthathiscareerhadcometoanend。 Therewasmuchtoremindhimthatthiswasso。Hewasmadeawareofitbythesad，sympatheticglancesofthewomen；bytheirtactfulcourtesies；bythefactthatLivingstone，anxioustopropitiateHanley，treatedhimrudely；bythesightoftheyoungofficers，eachjuststartinguponacareerofhonor，andpossibleglory，ashiscareerendedinhumiliation；andbythebigwar—shipherself，thatrecalledcertaincriseswhenhehadonlytopressabuttonandwar—shipshadcomeathisbidding。 Atfiveo’clocktherewasanawkwardmoment。TheRoyalMailboat，havingtakenonhercargo，passedoutoftheharboronherwaytoJamaica，anddippedhercolors。SenatorHanley，abandonedtohisfate，observedherdepartureinsilence。 Livingstone，hoveringathisside，askedsympathetically：\"Havetheyansweredyourcable，sir？\"\"Theyhave，\"saidHanleygruffly。 \"Wasit——wasitsatisfactory？\"pursuedthediplomat。\"ItWAS，\"saidthesenator，withemphasis。 Farfromdiscouraged，Livingstonecontinuedhisinquiries。 \"Andwhen，\"heaskedeagerly，\"areyougoingtotellhim？\" \"Now！\"saidthesenator。 Theguestswereleavingtheship。Whenallwereseatedintheadmiral’ssteamlaunch，theadmiraldescendedtheaccommodationladderandhimselfpickedupthetillerropes。 \"Mr。Marshall，\"hecalled，\"whenIbringthelaunchbroadsidetotheshipandstopher，youwillstandreadytoreceivetheconsul’ssalute。\" Involuntarily，Marshallutteredanexclamationofprotest。Hehadforgottenthatonleavingthewar—ship，asconsul，hewasentitledtosevenguns。Hadheremembered，hewouldhaveinsistedthattheceremonybeomitted。Heknewthattheadmiralwishedtoshowhisloyalty，knewthathisoldfriendwasnowpayinghimthishonoronlyasarebuketoHanley。Buttheceremonywasnolongeranhonor。Hanleyhadmadeofitamockery。Itservedonlytoemphasizewhathadbeentakenfromhim。But，withoutascene，itnowwastoolatetoavoidit。Thefirstofthesevengunshadroaredfromthebow，and，asoftenhehadstoodbefore，asneverhewouldsostandagain，Marshalltookhisplaceatthegangwayofthelaunch。Hiseyeswerefixedontheflag，hisgrayheadwasuncovered，hishatwaspressedabovehisheart。 ForthefirsttimesinceHanleyhadlefttheconsulate，hefellintosuddenterrorlesthemightgivewaytohisemotions。 Indignantatthethought，heheldhimselferect。Hisfacewassetlikeamask，hiseyeswereuntroubled。Hewasdeterminedtheyshouldnotseethathewassuffering。 Anothergunspatoutaburstofwhitesmoke，astabofflame。Therewasanechoingroar。Anotherandanotherfollowed。Marshallcountedseven，andthen，withabowtotheadmiral，backedfromthegangway。 Andthenanothergunshatteredthehot，heavysilence。Marshall，confused，embarrassed，assuminghehadcountedwrong，hastilyreturnedtohisplace。Butagainbeforehecouldleaveit，insavagehasteaninthgunroaredoutitsgreeting。Hecouldnotstillbemistaken。Heturnedappealinglytohisfriend。Theeyesoftheadmiralwerefixeduponthewar—ship。Againagunshatteredthesilence。Wasitajest？Weretheylaughingathim？Marshallflushedmiserably。Hegaveaswiftglancetowardtheothers。Theyweresmiling。Thenitwasajest。Behindhisback，somethingofwhichtheyallwerecognizantwasgoingforward。ThefaceofLivingstonealonebetrayedalikebewildermenttohisown。Buttheothers，whoknew，weremockinghim。 ForthethirteenthtimeagunshookthebroodingswamplandofPortoBanos。Andthen，andnotuntilthen，didtheflagcrawlslowlyfromthemast—head。MaryCairnsbrokethetensenessbyburstingintotears。ButMarshallsawthateveryoneelse，savesheandLivingstone，werestillsmiling。Eventhebluejacketsinchargeofthelaunchweregrinningathim。Hewasbesetbysmilingfaces。 Andthenfromthewar—ship，unchecked，came，againstallregulations，threelong，splendidcheers。 Marshallfelthislipsquivering，thewarmtearsforcingtheirwaytohiseyes。Heturnedbeseechinglytohisfriend。Hisvoicetrembled。 \"Charles，\"hebegged，\"aretheylaughingatme？\" Eagerly，beforetheotherwouldanswer，SenatorHanleytossedhiscigarintothewaterand，scramblingforward，seizedMarshallbythehand。 \"Mr。Marshall，\"hecried，\"ourPresidenthasgreatfaithinAbrahamLincoln’sjudgmentofmen。AndthissalutemeansthatthismorningheappointedyouournewministertoTheHague。I’moneofthosepoliticianswhokeepshisword。ITOLDYOUI’dtakeyourtinsignawayfromyoubysunset。I’vedoneit！\"