r so of miles
out in the country, and you will find the people, save that firearms are
common, just about as they were a thousand years ago."

"Bless my heart!" exclaimed Mr Burne.

"It is a fact, sir; and I should advise great care, not only as to whom
you trust among the people, but as to your health. The country is in a
horrible state of neglect; the government does nothing."

"But I do not see how that is to affect us," said the professor,
"especially as we have that firman."

"It will not affect you in the more settled districts, but you may run
risks in those which are more remote. I have been warning Mr and Mrs
Chumley about the risks, but the lady laughed and said that she always
carried a revolver."

"Bless me!" exclaimed Mr Burne, "a lady with a revolver! She would not
dare to fire it."

"I don't know about that," said the professor.

"Of course," continued the consul, "I am at your service, Mr Preston.
If you are in need of aid, and are anywhere within reach of the
telegraph wires, pray send to me and I will do my best. Can I do
anything more for you?"

This was a plain hint to go, for it was evident that others were waiting
for an interview with the representative of England; so a friendly
farewell was taken and the little party returned to the hotel.

"I'm glad you decided to go a different way to those people, Preston,"
said Mr Burne.

"The decision was made on the instant, my dear sir; for I did mean to
start from here."

"Ah, you thought those people would be a nuisance?"

"Indeed I did."

The professor had hardly spoken when Lawrence touched his arm; for the
parties alluded to approached, and the lady checked her lord, who was
going to speak, by saying:

"I thought I would give you a hint about going pretty well-armed. You
will not have to use your weapons if you let the people see that you
have them."

"Arms, ma'am! Stuff! rubbish!" cried Mr Burne. "The proper arms of an
Englishman are the statutes at large, bound in law calf, with red labels
on their back."

"Statutes at large!" said the lady wonderingly.

"Yes, ma'am--the laws of his country, or the laws of the country where
he is; and the proper arms of a lady, madam, are her eyes."

"And her tongue," said the professor to himself, but not in so low a
voice that it was not heard by Lawrence, who gave him a sharp look full
of amusement.

Mrs Chumley smiled and bowed.

"Very pretty, sir!" she said; "but you forget th