I thought it disgraceful," said Phyllis, "and I came to Ella
to talk it all over. The article accuses you of atrocities, and said
that a question would shortly be put to the Minister of the Annexation
Department in the House of Commons. Now, I know that there is nothing
my father enjoys more than snubbing those detestable men who endeavor to
get up a reputation for philanthropy, and temperance, and bimetallism,
and other virtues, by putting questions on the paper; and he could,
I think, ask some counter question in this particular case that would
ridicule the original busybody."

"It was very good of you to think so, Miss Ayrton," said he. "I can't
say that, personally, I mind all the attacks that all the missionaries
who earn precarious salaries in South Seas may make upon me; but I must
confess that I have a weakness for seeing busybodies put to shame."

"You may depend upon Mr. Ayrton's satire," said Ella. "It never misses
the point in the harness. The barb of the dart is, I believe, Mr.
Ayrton's, the feather at the other end is Phyllis'."

"Only once that happened," said Phyllis. "Oh, no! papa manufactures his
own darts, from feather to tip."

"But supposing that the charges brought against me are true?" suggested
Mr. Courtland.

"Why, then, can't you see there is all the greater need for ingenuity in
your defense?" said Ella.

"It is impossible to think of the charges as true," said Phyllis
stoutly.

"For example?" said he.

"Well, the article said that you had made slaves of some of the natives
of New Guinea, purchasing them by a promise to help a native chief
against his enemies."

"There wasn't much harm in that: I did it," said he.

"And then it went on to say that you kept your promise," said Phyllis.

"What! They accused me of keeping my promise?" said he. "Well, I'm
afraid I can't deny that charge either."

"Did you really slaughter the natives?" cried Phyllis.

The interest which she felt appeared in her eyes.

"I did my best for the savages who had purchased my services," he
replied. "The campaign was not a protracted one. Two days after the
outbreak of hostilities brought things to a climax. We fought
our decisive battle--the Sedan of King Mubamayo. You see, I had a
trustworthy Winchester. I believe that about seventy of the enemy bit
the dust."

"Only seventy? That was unworthy of you, Mr. Courtland," cried Ella.
"Nothing short of thousands counts as a civilized battle. Seventy! Oh,