"Pray, don't hurry," said Meekin politely. "You are on an errand of
mercy, you know. Everything must give way to that. I shall find my
portmanteau in my room, you said."

"Yes, yes. Call the servant if you want anything. He sleeps at the
back," and North hurried off.

"An impulsive gentleman," said Meekin to Macklewain, as the sound of Mr.
North's footsteps died away in the distance. Macklewain shook his head
seriously.

"There is something wrong about him, but I can't make out what it is. He
has the strangest fits at times. Unless it's a cancer in the stomach, I
don't know what it can be."

"Cancer in the stomach! dear me, how dreadful!" says Meekin. "Ah!
Doctor, we all have our crosses, have we not? How delightful the grass
smells! This seems a very pleasant place, and I think I shall enjoy
myself very much. Good-night."

"Good-night, sir. I hope you will be comfortable."

"And let us hope poor Mr. North will succeed in his labour of love,"
said Meekin, shutting the little gate, "and save the unfortunate
Kirkland. Good-night, once more."

Captain Burgess was shutting his verandah-window when North hurried up.

"Captain Burgess, Macklewain tells me you are going to flog Kirkland."

"Well, sir, what of that?" said Burgess.

"I have come to beg you not to do so, sir. The lad has been cruelly
punished already. He attempted suicide to-day--unhappy creature."

"Well, that's just what I'm flogging him for. I'll teach my prisoners to
attempt suicide!"

"But he can't stand it, sir. He's too weak."

"That's Macklewain's business."

"Captain Burgess," protested North, "I assure you that he does not
deserve punishment. I have seen him, and his condition of mind is
pitiable."

"Look here, Mr. North, I don't interfere with what you do to the
prisoner's souls; don't you interfere with what I do to their bodies."

"Captain Burgess, you have no right to mock at my office."

"Then don't you interfere with me, sir."

"Do you persist in having this boy flogged?"

"I've given my orders, sir."

"Then, Captain Burgess," cried North, his pale face flushing, "I tell
you the boy's blood will be on your head. I am a minister of God, sir,
and I forbid you to commit this crime."

"Damn your impertinence, sir!" burst out Burgess. "You're a dismissed
officer of the Government, sir. You've no authority here in any way;
and, by God, sir, if you interfere with my discipline, sir, I'll have
you put in irons until you're s