n.

The weather was lovely, there being a succession of brilliant moonlight
nights; while before the moon rose, even the Doctor declared that the
display made by the fire-flies in the darkness was simply glorious.

One evening Sir Charles was dining at the bungalow, and, having got over
his nervous doubts, upon hearing Minnie express a desire to go up the
river and see the fire-flies first, and the rising of the moon after,
the Resident at once proposed to have his smaller boat prepared, with a
couple of his most trusty native servants to pole it a short distance up
the river, and then bring the Doctor and the two ladies back to supper
at the Residency.

Minnie was delighted; but, to the Resident's great satisfaction, her
aunt declared at once that she would not go up the river by night on
account of the crocodiles.

"I don't want to throw a wet blanket over Sir Charles's kindly suggested
trip," she said, "but I certainly will not go."

"Oh, there's no danger to be feared, my dear madam," said Sir Charles.
"The reptiles would never dare to attack a well-manned boat."

"Never," said the Doctor emphatically.

"But they might, my dear," replied Mrs Morley. "You can go, but I
shall certainly stay."

"You talk very glibly," grunted the Doctor, "about my going; but suppose
I am wanted?"

"Well, if you are, it will only be for some trivial ailment amongst the
native people, and I should know what to give them."

"What!" cried the Doctor.--"Why, my dear Dallas, the last time she
meddled with my bottles she nearly poisoned one of my patients."

"For shame, Henry!--Don't you believe him, Sir Charles. I am sure I did
the poor woman a great deal of good."

"It's all very fine," said the Doctor. "I must confess the woman did
get better; and if madam had quite poisoned her, as she was a native it
wouldn't have mattered much."

"Oh uncle, for shame!--He doesn't mean it, Sir Charles," said Minnie.

"But it would have spoilt my credit," continued the Doctor; "and there,
I don't want to see a lot of blow-flies with lights in their tails; so,
once for all, I sha'n't go."

"But you ought to go, my dear," said Mrs Morley, who looked rather
annoyed.

"Why?"

"Why? To take care of Minnie."

"It doesn't take two men as well as a couple of servants to take care of
one little girl. Don't talk stuff, my dear. I'm sure Sir Charles will
take every care of her."

Mrs Morley said no more, and Sir Charles left at last wi