vy
because he had married a native wife. But I never knew the Admiralty to
court-martial an officer because he did not marry a native wife whom
he OUGHT to have married: but, as I said, the ways of the Admiralty are
past admiration."

I could see Roscoe's hand clinch at his side, and presently he said over
his shoulder at her: "Your memory and your philosophy are as wonderful
as the Admiralty are inscrutable."

She laughed. "You have not lost your old gift of retort," she said. "You
are still amusing."

"Well, come," said Mr. Devlin cheerfully, "let's see if there isn't
something even more amusing than Mr. Roscoe in Viking. I will show you,
Mrs. Falchion, the biggest saw that ever ate the heart out of a Norfolk
pine."

At the mill Mrs. Falchion was interested. She asked questions concerning
the machinery which mightily pleased Mr. Devlin, they were so apt and
intelligent; and herself assisted in giving an immense log to the teeth
of the largest saw, which, with its six upright blades, ate, and was
never satisfied. She stooped and ran her ungloved hand into the sawdust,
as sweet before the sun has dried it as the scent of a rose. The rich
smell of the fresh-cut lumber filled the air, and suggested all kinds of
remote and pleasant things. The industry itself is one of the first that
comes with the invasion of new territory, and makes one think of man's
first work in the world: to fell the tree and till the soil. It is
impossible to describe that fierce, jubilant song of the saw, which
even when we were near was never shrill or shrieking: never drowning our
voices, but vibrant and delightful. To Mrs. Falchion it was new; she was
impressed.

"I have seen," she said to Mr. Devlin, "all sorts of enterprises,
but never anything like this. It all has a kind of rough music. It is
enjoyable."

Mr. Devlin beamed. "I have just added something to the mill that will
please you," he said.

She looked interested. We all gathered round. I stood between Mrs.
Falchion and Ruth Devlin, and Roscoe beside Justine Caron.

"It is the greatest mill-whistle in the country," he continued. "It will
be heard from twelve to twenty-five miles, according to the condition of
the atmosphere. I want big things all round, and this is a masterpiece,
I guess. Now, I'll let you hear it if you like. I didn't expect to use
it until to-night at nine o'clock, when, also for the first time, I am
to light the mills by electricity; a thing that's not bee