we have done the greater
part of India."

"I think that would be good for us," the man said philosophically.
"It would not matter much to us to whom we paid our taxes--and you
would not tax us more heavily than we are now--for as we came down
you saw many villages deserted, and the land uncultivated, because
the people could not pay the heavy exactions. It is not the
king--he does not get much of it--but he gives a province, or a
district, or a dozen villages to someone at court; and says, 'you
must pay me so much, and all that you can get out of it, besides,
is for yourself;' so they heap on the taxes, and the people are
always in great poverty and, when they find that they cannot pay
what is demanded and live, then they all go away to some other
place, where the lord is not so harsh."

"I am sure that it would be a good thing for them, Meinik. The
people of India are a great deal better off, under us, than they
were under their native rulers. There is a fixed tax, and no one is
allowed to charge more, or to oppress the people in any way.

"But now we must be going. I said that I would be back at the place
we started from, in half an hour."

Chapter 7: On The Staff.

Captain Cooke had done his best, previous to the beginning of the
auction, to disarm opposition; by going about among the officers
who dropped in, with the intention of bidding, telling them
something of Stanley's capture, adventures, and escape; and saying
that the general had, himself, advised him to obtain an outfit by
buying a considerable portion of the young officer's kit.

"I have no doubt that he will put him on his staff," he said. "From
his knowledge of the country, and the fact that he speaks the
language well, he would be very useful and, as he has gone through
all this from serving as a volunteer, without pay, I hope you
fellows won't run up the prices, except for things that you really
want."

His story had the desired effect; and when Captain Cooke met
Stanley, he was able to tell him that he had bought for him the
greater portion of the kit, including everything that was
absolutely necessary.

"Are there any plain clothes?" Stanley asked, after thanking him
warmly for the trouble he had taken.

"No. Of course, he left everything of that sort at Calcutta. No one
in his senses would think of bringing mufti out with him,
especially to such a country as this."

"Then I shall have to go in uniform to the general's," Stanley