sure of a revolver that he had
been systematically robbing them for some time. Though pleased that they
had discovered so much, Paul and his friend were both discouraged and
disgusted with the diggings and they agreed that the first good strike
they made they would leave it. After that they acted as their own
sorters but with indifferent success. A couple of weeks later, Lord who
had been out to purchase provisions returned with a speculator who was
willing to purchase the claim. A long talk followed. At last they
disposed of it to him with all their outfit for the sum of fifty pounds
which left them not much richer than when they had started for the
diamond fields. A short time after that they were in Cape Town once
more, smelling the fresh, salt air. Here Lord obtained a position on one
of the Union Co.'s line of steamers, while Paul remained in the hope of
finding some ship going to China or Japan. Paul remained in Cape Town
three weeks; but no chance opened to go to the eastward. He embarked
on a French vessel that came in shorthanded, bound for Marseilles. He
went before the mast as there as no other position on her and he had had
enough of South Africa.

After a quick passage along the west coast of Africa they reached the
straits of Gibraltar and stood across the blue Mediterranean to
Marseilles. While there, assisting to discharge a cargo, Paul fell
through a hatch and was badly wounded on the leg by coming in contact
with the ragged edge of a roll of copper. At first he did not think he
was much injured but as his leg kept on swelling, the captain
strongly advised him to go to the marine hospital and conveyed him there
in a cab. The ward in which Paul was placed contained about one
hundred and fifty little iron beds filled with unfortunates like
himself. The hospital authorities ran the institution on the principle
that the less they gave the patient to eat, the sooner he would recover
and get out. Breakfast consisted of a slice of bread and a little cup of
very weak wine; dinner of some very feeble soup, bread and the same
kind of wine. The supper was a repetition of the breakfast. After a
couple of day's sojourn in the hospital, Paul was ravenous with hunger
and would have willingly left if he had been able to do so. In vain he
assured the good sister in his best French that it was his leg and not
his stomach that was ill. In response she would smile sadly as she
place