69] But it is Symon throughout in
that blessed little volume my father bought for me in Inverness in the
year of grace '81, I believe--the trial of James Stewart, with the
Jacobite pamphlet and the dying speech appended--out of which the whole
of _Davie_ has already been begotten, and which I felt it a kind of
loyalty to follow. I really ought to have it bound in velvet and gold,
if I had any gratitude! and the best of the lark is, that the name of
David Balfour is not anywhere within the bounds of it. A pretty curious
instance of the genesis of a book. I am delighted at your good word for
_David_; I believe the two together make up much the best of my work and
perhaps of what is in me. I am not ashamed of them, at least. There is
one hitch; instead of three hours between the two parts, I fear there
have passed three years over Davie's character; but do not tell anybody;
see if they can find it out for themselves; and no doubt his experiences
in _Kidnapped_ would go far to form him. I would like a copy to go to G.
Meredith.

_Wednesday._--Well, here is a new move. It is likely I may start with
Graham next week and go to Honolulu to meet the other steamer and
return: I do believe a fortnight at sea would do me good; yet I am not
yet certain. The crowded _up_-steamer sticks in my throat.

_Tuesday, 12th Sept._--Yesterday was perhaps the brightest in the annals
of Vailima. I got leave from Captain Bickford to have the band of the
_Katoomba_ come up, and they came, fourteen of 'em, with drum, fife,
cymbals and bugles, blue jackets, white caps, and smiling faces. The
house was all decorated with scented greenery above and below. We had
not only our own nine out-door workers, but a contract party that we
took on in charity to pay their war-fine; the band besides, as it came
up the mountain, had collected a following of children by the way, and
we had a picking of Samoan ladies to receive them. Chicken, ham, cake
and fruits were served out with coffee and lemonade, and all the
afternoon we had rounds of claret negus flavoured with rum and limes.
They played to us, they danced, they sang, they tumbled. Our boys came
in the end of the verandah and gave _them_ a dance for a while. It was
anxious work getting this stopped once it had begun, but I knew the band
was going on a programme. Finally they gave three cheers for Mr. and
Mrs. Stevens, shook hands, formed up and marched off playing--till a
kicking horse in the paddock put t