d the Californian mostly a
nodding listener? Was Hugh--whose big eyes and stone visage so drolly
fitted each other yet seemed so sadly unfitted to this big
emergency--was he insisting that it would be idle for him to go to
Basile without the twins, as was only too true? Or that John the Baptist
and his two disciples must first be disposed of? Or was it his word that
the most pressing need was for the actor, long trained to perceive just
what would capture an audience in such a stress, to step between
footlights and curtain, tell the people that honest facts had never been
more crazily twisted into falsehood and slander, and explain the true
situation in a brief, apt speech, dignified and amusing? Certainly
something had to be done and done this instant. But not that, ah, no!
Or if that, not done by him, the actor. She could never imagine such
a manoeuvre attempted on a boat of her father's, whose sole way of
mastery was by pure lordship and main force. Yet here, with these
Courteneys, who, he had always said, outmastered him by their clever
graciousness, and dealing here not with subordinates but with
passengers--a living nerve of the river's whole public--talk treatment
might be the cleverest, wisest kind to give, if only Hugh--oh, if only
Hugh!--could give it. But of course he could not, with that face, that
visage, so much _too_ lordly and forceful--and hard--and glum--for a
clever task.

Julian ceased. His high head went a shade higher; the Californian was
advancing straight upon him. With a pang Ramsey remembered that she had
failed to charge the gold hunter not to let the twins know that their
brother's summons included Hugh, lest that should keep them away. But
surely he would see that necessity; and in fact he did. Hugh stood
still, looking in the opposite, her, Ramsey's, direction, where the
actor was coming toward her. The old nurse had stolen to her side. The
player went by without a glance at her. It was so much like asking why
she stood there doing nothing that she granted the old woman's whispered
prayer and sat down. Behind her he spoke busily for a second to the cub
pilot and passed out by a side exit. The pilot's cub came by, had a word
or two with the exhorter, and stayed there as if on guard.

Now, for all these small things to happen in the one moment and to
happen in the midst of a waiting audience made its show of suspense more
vivid than ever; excitement was in all eyes; every chin was lifted. Th