of port were such a steppingstone to him, and a
vague consciousness came back to him of having been in a ship.

Unfortunately, along with this reminiscence came a desire to go in one
again; and this sowed discontent in his mind, and the more that mind
enlarged, the more he began to dislike the hospital and its confinement.
The feeling grew, and bade fair to disqualify him for his humble office.
The authorities could not fail to hear of this, and they had a little
discussion about parting with him; but they hesitated to turn him
adrift, and they still doubted the propriety of trusting him with money
and jewels.

While matters were in this state a remarkable event occurred. He drew a
sick patient down to the quay one morning, and watched the business of
the port with the keenest interest. A ship at anchor was unloading,
and a great heavy boat was sticking to her side like a black leech.
Presently this boat came away, and moved sluggishly towards the shore,
rather by help of the tide than of the two men who went through the form
of propelling her with two monstrous sweeps, while a third steered her.
She contained English goods: agricultural implements, some cases, four
horses, and a buxom young woman with a thorough English face. The woman
seemed a little excited, and as she neared the landing-place, she called
out in jocund tones to a young man on the shore, "It is all right, Dick;
they are beauties," and she patted the beasts as people do who are fond
of them.

She stepped lightly ashore, and then came the slower work of landing her
imports. She bustled about, like a hen over her brood, and wasn't always
talking, but put in her word every now and then, never crossly, and
always to the point.

Staines listened to her, and examined her with a sort of puzzled look;
but she took no notice of him; her whole soul was in the cattle.

They got the things on board well enough; but the horses were frightened
at the gangway, and jibbed. Then a man was for driving them, and poked
one of them in the quarter; he snorted and reared directly.

"Man alive!" cried the young woman, "that is not the way. They are
docile enough, but frightened. Encourage 'em, and let 'em look at it.
Give 'em time. More haste less speed, with timorous cattle."

"That is a very pleasant voice," said poor Staines, rather more
dictatorially than became the present state of his intellect. He added
softly, "a true woman's voice;" then gloomily, "a voice of