d ride ahead. We were mighty glad
to do so, for we were cold. Presently, I said I should ride back for my
mother, but it thundered again; Belle is afraid of thunder, and I
decided to see her through the forest before I returned for my other
hen--I may say, my other wet hen. About the middle of the wood, where it
is roughest and steepest, we met three pack-horses with barrels of
lime-juice. I piloted Belle past these--it is not very easy in such a
road--and then passed them again myself, to pilot my mother. This
effected, it began to thunder again, so I rode on hard after Belle. When
I caught up with her, she was singing Samoan hymns to support her
terrors! We were all back, changed, and at table by lunch time, 11 A.M.
Nor have any of us been the worse for it sin-syne. That is pretty good
for a woman of my mother's age and an invalid of my standing; above all,
as Tauilo was laid up with a bad cold, probably increased by rage.

_Friday, 3rd June._--On Wednesday the club could not be held, and I must
ride down town and to and fro all afternoon delivering messages, then
dined and rode up by the young moon. I had plenty news when I got back;
there is great talk in town of my deportation: it is thought they have
written home to Downing Street requesting my removal, which leaves me
not much alarmed; what I do rather expect is that H. J. Moors and I may
be haled up before the C. J. to stand a trial for _lese_-majesty. Well,
we'll try and live it through.

The rest of my history since Monday has been unadulterated _David
Balfour_. In season and out of season, night and day, David and his
innocent harem--let me be just, he never has more than the two--are on
my mind. Think of David Balfour with a pair of fair ladies--very nice
ones too--hanging round him. I really believe David is as good a
character as anybody has a right to ask for in a novel. I have finished
drafting Chapter XX. to-day, and feel it all ready to froth when the
spigot is turned.

O, I forgot--and do forget. What did I mean? A waft of cloud has fallen
on my mind, and I will write no more.

_Wednesday, I believe, 8th June._--Lots of David, and lots of David, and
the devil any other news. Yesterday we were startled by great guns
firing a salute, and to-day Whitmee (missionary) rode up to lunch, and
we learned it was the _Curacoa_ come in, the ship (according to rumour)
in which I was to be deported. I went down to meet my fate, and the
captain is to dine with m