nd he never forget `tank you, Johnnie.' Dat what me like. Me work for
man like dat. And massa velly fine young fellow. He brave. He make
friend eberywhere--same's Massa Pepson and de fat Dutchman. Dey his
broders, who lob him same's Johnnie."

It was a clear explanation, and no doubt was perfectly truthful.
Indeed, there is little doubt that a little more thought on the part of
the white man would often result in better relations between himself and
the man of darker complexion. Youth and inexperience are no excuse for
harsh dealing and bitter words, for sneers and open scoffing. The black
man needs special treatment. He can be ruled easily and well. He can
be made a faithful and contented servant, and there are none more fitted
to be his masters than are Englishmen. But whatever the black may be,
he is a fellow human being, and deserves common kindness and courtesy,
till he has proved himself unworthy of either; and a little care in such
matters--more care than is always given--would perhaps lead to better
relations in our Indian dominions.

"Me go wid de first lot, den," said Johnnie. "Time massa reach de
launch she hab steam fit to bust."

"Then off you go to the hut, and bring me along that drum of kerosene
oil we use for the miners' lamps. Wait, though. I'll go with you."

He trudged off to the hut, and there for a quarter of an hour he and the
little black stoker were hard at work, feeling sure that the miners
would meanwhile hold all secure. Indeed, there was little to fear, for
the moon was still up, though it was now close to the summit of the
tree-tops, and would soon fall below the forest and be hidden. Still,
while it was light, movement on their part, or on that of the enemy,
would be madness.

"Now, Johnnie, smartly does it, as the sailors say," cried Dick, as they
entered the hut. "We will have that small lantern alight, and then we
will commence operations. I am going to lay a little supper for Master
James Langdon, expert thief and murderer. I will leave him a little
legacy which will hardly please him. Got the lantern? Then bring all
the picks and spare mining tools. Bring everything, in fact, likely to
be of use in the mines, and now held in our stores. Pile them in the
centre of the floor here close to the drum."

The native looked up in astonishment, but flew at once to carry out the
order. It took very little time, indeed, for the stores held in the hut
were not very l