threw his hands into the air with a comical
expression of disgust, and then flung himself back into a basket chair,
causing it to creak and groan and bend to one side, till Dick thought it
would certainly collapse.

Mr Pepson smiled. "Our friend does not think greatly of this English
possession of ours," he said, "and there I agree with him, for Elmina is
by contrast a charming spot. You have been there, Mr Stapleton--Dick I
think they all call you?"

"No, I have never been to Elmina," Dick was bound to admit.

"Ah, well, it lies some sixteen miles to the west, as you will know, and
the Dutch held it for many years--in fact, till recently, when England
bought the place. It is beautiful in many ways. There is little fever.
The spot is drained and the bush cut back into wide clearings."

"Ah, yes, Meinheer, and led me add, zere is a harbour. Look zere!"

The little Dutchman danced to his feet and tiptoed to the edge of the
steep steps by which he had so recently ascended. Then he pointed a
condemning finger at the white sandy beach, and at the thundering surf
which crashed upon it.

"See id! Ze cruel waves, which so nearly robbed me of a dear, dear
friend, for whose life I struggled till Meinheer Dick plunged do ze
rescue. Zere is none of zat at Elmina. We Dutchmen made a harbour
years ago. You can land at Elmina as you mighd in Holland. There is
nod even a--ah, whad do you call him--ah, I have him, yes, a ribble,
zere is nod even zat, Meinheer."

The comical little fellow threw out his chest, as if that were necessary
considering its huge dimensions, and patted it gracefully, while he
looked round upon his listeners in turn as if seeking for some words of
praise and commendation.

"It is true enough," admitted Mr Pepson, and again Dick thought he
detected a half-suppressed smile. "The country to which our friend
belongs sent excellent colonists to Elmina. They have a harbour, and
why we have not one here passes belief. But there. Why let us compare
the two places and their governments? It is sufficient to say that
Elmina has advanced as the years have passed, while this possession,
which has been in our hands for more than two hundred years, has receded
if anything. A cargo of cement and two months' work would have made a
harbour. An engineer with limited skill and knowledge could have
erected a breakwater which would have enabled small boats to lie snug
and secure, while there would have been