m below. Then Boldrick hoisted a flag on his hut, which he
used on gala occasions, to celebrate the event, and, not content with
this, fired a 'feu de joie', managed in this way: He took two anvils
used by the muleteers and expressmen to shoe their animals, and placed
one on the other, putting powder between. Then Mrs. Falchion thrust
a red-hot iron into the powder, and an explosion ensued. I was for
a moment uneasy, but Mr. Devlin reassured me, and instantly a shrill
whistle from the little mills answered the salute.
Just before they got into the cage, Mrs. Falchion turned to Boldrick,
and said: "You have not been trying to remember where you heard my name
before? Well, can you not recall it now?"
Boldrick shook his head. "Perhaps you will recall it before I see you
again," she said.
They started. As they did so, Mrs. Falchion said suddenly, looking at
Boldrick keenly: "Were you ever in the South Seas?"
Boldrick stood for an instant open-mouthed, and then exclaimed loudly,
as the cage swung down the incline: "By Jingo! No, ma'am, I was never
there, but I had a pal who come from Samoa."
She called back at him: "Tell me of him when we meet again. What was his
name?"
They were too far down the cable now for Boldrick's reply to reach them
distinctly. The descent seemed even more adventurous than the ascent,
and, in spite of myself, I could not help a thrill of keen excitement.
But they were both smiling when the cage reached us, and both had a very
fine colour.
"A delightful journey, a remarkable reception, and a very singular man
is your Mr. Boldrick," said Mrs. Falchion.
"Yes," replied Mr. Devlin, "you'll know Boldrick a long time before you
find his limits. He is about the most curious character I ever knew,
and does the most curious things. But straight--straight as a die, Mrs.
Falchion!"
"I fancy that Mr. Boldrick and I would be very good friends indeed,"
said Mrs. Falchion; "and I purpose visiting him again. It is quite
probable that we shall find we have had mutual acquaintances." She
looked at Roscoe meaningly as she said this, but he was occupied with
Ruth.
"You were not afraid?" Roscoe said to Ruth. "Was it not a strange
sensation?"
"Frankly, at first I was a little afraid, because the cage swings on the
cable, and it makes you uncomfortable. But I enjoyed it before we got to
the end."
Mrs. Falchion turned to Mr. Devlin. "I find plenty here to amuse me,"
she said, "and I am glad I cam
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