his thoughts. "I suppose our friend
Hemmings would call me foolish; he's above the little weaknesses of
imagination, eh? Yes; it's silent here. Sometimes in the evening I would
give my head for somebody to talk to--Hemmings would never give his head
for anything, I think. But all the same, I couldn't face them at home.
Spoiled!" And slyly he murmured: "What would the Board say if they could
hear that?"

Scorrier blurted out: "To tell you the truth, they complain a little of
not hearing from you."

Pippin put out a hand, as if to push something away. "Let them try the
life here!" he broke out; "it's like sitting on a live volcano--what
with our friends, 'the enemy,' over there; the men; the American
competition. I keep it going, Scorrier, but at what a cost--at what a
cost!"

"But surely--letters?"

Pippin only answered: "I try--I try!"

Scorrier felt with remorse and wonder that he had spoken the truth. The
following day he left for his inspection, and while in the camp of "the
enemy" much was the talk he heard of Pippin.

"Why!" said his host, the superintendent, a little man with a face
somewhat like an owl's, "d'you know the name they've given him down in
the capital--'the King'--good, eh? He's made them 'sit up' all along
this coast. I like him well enough--good--hearted man, shocking nervous;
but my people down there can't stand him at any price. Sir, he runs this
colony. You'd think butter wouldn't melt in that mouth of his; but he
always gets his way; that's what riles 'em so; that and the success he's
making of his mine. It puzzles me; you'd think he'd only be too glad
of a quiet life, a man with his nerves. But no, he's never happy unless
he's fighting, something where he's got a chance to score a victory.
I won't say he likes it, but, by Jove, it seems he's got to do it.
Now that's funny! I'll tell you one thing, though shouldn't be a bit
surprised if he broke down some day; and I'll tell you another,"
he added darkly, "he's sailing very near the wind, with those large
contracts that he makes. I wouldn't care to take his risks. Just let
them have a strike, or something that shuts them down for a spell--and
mark my words, sir--it'll be all up with them. But," he concluded
confidentially, "I wish I had his hold on the men; it's a great thing
in this country. Not like home, where you can go round a corner and get
another gang. You have to make the best you can out of the lot you have;
you won't, get anoth