HAT PASSED ON THE NIGHT OF
FEBRUARY 27TH, 1757 105

VI. SUMMARY OF EVENTS DURING THE MASTER'S SECOND
ABSENCE 127

VII. ADVENTURE OF CHEVALIER BURKE IN INDIA: EXTRACTED
FROM HIS MEMOIRS 147

VIII. THE ENEMY IN THE HOUSE 152

IX. MR. MACKELLAR'S JOURNEY WITH THE MASTER 175

X. PASSAGES AT NEW YORK 194

XI. THE JOURNEY IN THE WILDERNESS 213

XII. THE JOURNEY IN THE WILDERNESS (_continued_) 238

THE MASTER OF BALLANTRAE

_TO_

_SIR PERCY FLORENCE AND LADY SHELLEY_

_Here is a tale which extends over many years and travels into many
countries. By a peculiar fitness of circumstance the writer began,
continued it, and concluded it among distant and diverse scenes. Above
all, he was much upon the sea. The character and fortune of the
fraternal enemies, the hall and shrubbery of Durrisdeer, the problem of
Mackellar's homespun and how to shape it for superior flights; these
were his company on deck in many star-reflecting harbours, ran often in
his mind at sea to the tune of slatting canvas, and were dismissed
(something of the suddenest) on the approach of squalls. It is my hope
that these surroundings of its manufacture may to some degree find
favour for my story with seafarers and sea-lovers like yourselves._

_And at least here is a dedication from a great way off: written by the
loud shores of a subtropical island near upon ten thousand miles from
Boscombe Chine and Manor: scenes which rise before me as I write, along
with the faces and voices of my friends._

_Well, I am for the sea once more; no doubt Sir Percy also. Let us make
the signal B. R. D.!_

_R. L. S._

_Waikiki_, _May_ 17_th_, 1889.

PREFACE

Although an old, consistent exile, the editor of the following pages
revisits now and again the city of which he exults to be a native; and
there are few things more strange, more painful, or more salutary, than
such revisitations. Outside, in foreign spots, he comes by surprise and
awakens more attention than he had expected; in his own city, the
relation is reversed, and he stands amazed to be so little recollected.
Elsewhere he is refreshed to see attractive faces, to remark possible
friends; there he scouts the long streets, with a pang at hea