by the
natives. The only quadrupeds are rats, and some huge land tortoises,
similar to those of the Galapagos Islands. They are most hideous-looking
creatures, and, being of nocturnal habits, like the great robber crab,
are apt to produce a most terrifying impression upon the beholder, if
met with in the loneliness of the night. The present human occupants of
Christmas Island are, however, well supplied with pigs and poultry; and
though this far-away dot of Britain's empire beyond the seas is scarcely
known to the world, and visited but twice a year by a trading vessel
from Sydney, they are happy and contented in their home in this lonely
isle of the mid-Pacific.

BILGER, OF SYDNEY

A death in the family brought about my fatal acquaintance with Bilger.
A few days after the funeral, as my sister and I sat talking on the
verandah of our cottage (which overlooked the waters of Sydney Harbour)
and listened to the pouring rain upon the shingled roof, we saw a man
open the garden gate and come slowly up to the house. He carried an
ancient umbrella, the tack lashings of which on one side had given way
entirely, showing six bare ribs. As he walked up the path, his large,
sodden boots made a nasty, squelching sound, and my sister, who has a
large heart, at once said, 'Poor creature; I wonder who he is. I hope it
isn't the coal man come for his money.'

He went round to the back door and, after letting himself drain off a
bit, knocked gently and with exceeding diffidence.

I asked him his business. He said he wanted to see my wife.

'Not here. Gone away for a month.'

'Dear, dear, how sad! Broken down, no doubt, with a mother's grief. Is
there any other lady in the family whom I could see?'

'What the deuce do you want?' I began angrily; then, as he raised his
weak, watery eyes to mine, and I saw that his grey hairs were as wet as
his boots, I relented. Perhaps he was someone who knew my wife or her
people, and wanted to condole with her over the death of her baby. He
looked sober enough, so, as he seemed much agitated, I asked him to sit
down, and said I would send my sister to him. Then I went back to my
pipe and chair. Ten minutes later my sister Kate came to me with her
handkerchief to her eyes.

'_Do_ go and see the old fellow. He has _such_ a sympathetic nature.
I'm sure I should have cried aloud had I stayed any longer. Anyone would
think he had known poor little Teddie ever since he was born. I've asked
Ma