pers, and various prudent traders
were figuratively drawing in their horns and preparing for big trouble
across the "Kala Pani."

It was the first week in August and on Wednesday; there had been a
break-neck and exciting paper-chase, with the finish at Government
House. Here a profusion of refreshments was displayed and all the
world, more or less, was present; the men drinking pegs, the ladies
iced coffee, gossiping, discussing the recent performance and various
local matters. All at once a Government _peon_ ran quickly through the
crowd, a telegraph _peon_, then a motor arrived with two men
(officials) who had not taken part in the paper-chase. Sir Horace
Winter, the Lieutenant-Governor, and his military secretary disappeared
abruptly indoors, and there was a sudden pause in the continuous
chatter.

More than one of the guests experienced a curious thrill, as if there
was something electric in the air; then from nowhere in particular the
word "War" was whispered. "Great Britain has declared war on Germany."
This seemed incredible; people stared at one another aghast, and boldly
declared that "it was just a bazaar shave and a mistake," for out in
the Far, Far East there had been no preliminary muttering of the storm
which was about to burst and drown half the world in tears.

Nevertheless, the news was horribly true. "War" had come; war, after
so many years of European peace and prosperity; and newly aroused,
startled countries found themselves face to face with the malignity of
the unknown.

Presently the Lieutenant-Governor reappeared and verified the whisper.
Wires were already active; the 29th Punjaub Infantry had been ordered
from Mandalay; guests pressed round, eagerly snatching at scraps of
information; Germans and British glanced curiously at one another, and
presently the gathering dissolved--to talk, to write, and to cable.

For several days nothing remarkable occurred, save that the outgoing
mail carried a number of British who had booked their passages at the
last moment. Officers on leave were recalled, a few big business
houses were closed and, in the District, many German mills and a large
influx of stalwart young employes, who had been working in them and
could not speak a word of English, suddenly flocked in, prepared to
embark for Europe, to fight for the Fatherland.

Every berth in the _Blankshire_ had been secured, and the night before
she sailed the well-known German Club gave its part