." But Macklewain was tired, and wanted to get home.

"I must also be thinking of repose," said Meekin; "the journey--though
most enjoyable--has fatigued me."

"Come on, then," said North. "Our roads lie together, doctor."

"You won't have a nip of brandy before you start?" asked Burgess.

"No? Then I shall send round for you in the morning, Mr. Meekin. Good
night. Macklewain, I want to speak with you a moment."

Before the two clergymen had got half-way down the steep path that led
from the Commandant's house to the flat on which the cottages of the
doctor and chaplain were built, Macklewain rejoined them. "Another
flogging to-morrow," said he grumblingly. "Up at daylight, I suppose,
again."

"Whom is he going to flog now?"

"That young butler-fellow of his." "What, Kirkland?" cried North. "You
don't mean to say he's going to flog Kirkland?"

"Insubordination," says Macklewain. "Fifty lashes."

"Oh, this must be stopped," cried North, in great alarm. "He can't stand
it. I tell you, he'll die, Macklewain."

"Perhaps you'll have the goodness to allow me to be the best judge of
that," returned Macklewain, drawing up his little body to its least
insignificant stature.

"My dear sir," replied North, alive to the importance of conciliating
the surgeon, "you haven't seen him lately. He tried to drown himself
this morning."

Mr. Meekin expressed some alarm; but Dr. Macklewain re-assured him.
"That sort of nonsense must be stopped," said he. "A nice example to
set. I wonder Burgess didn't give him a hundred."

"He was put into the long dormitory," said North; "you know what sort of
a place that is. I declare to Heaven his agony and shame terrified me."

"Well, he'll be put into the hospital for a week or so to-morrow," said
Macklewain, "and that'll give him a spell."

"If Burgess flogs him I'll report it to the Governor," cries North, in
great heat. "The condition of those dormitories is infamous."

"If the boy has anything to complain of, why don't he complain? We can't
do anything without evidence."

"Complain! Would his life be safe if he did? Besides, he's not the sort
of creature to complain. He'd rather kill himself."

"That's all nonsense," says Macklewain. "We can't flog a whole dormitory
on suspicion. I can't help it. The boy's made his bed, and he must lie
on it."

"I'll go back and see Burgess," said North. "Mr. Meekin, here's the
gate, and your room is on the right hand. I'll be back shortly."