ten," said the captain, looking at his watch.

"And I have no one ready to whom I can give up the archives of the
Government."

"I shall be happy to take charge of them," said Sir Ferdinando.

"No doubt,--knowing nothing of the forms of our government, or--"

"They, of course, must all be altered."

"Or of the habits of our people. It is quite impossible. I, too, have
the complicated affairs of my entire life to arrange, and my wife and
son to leave though I would not for a moment be supposed to put these
private matters forward when the public service is concerned. But the
time you name is so unreasonable as to create a feeling of horror at
your tyranny."

"A feeling of horror would be created on the other side of the
water," said Sir Ferdinando, "at the idea of what you may do if
you escape us. I should not consider my head to be safe on my own
shoulders were it to come to pass that while I am on the island an
old man were executed in compliance with your system."

Alas! I could not but feel how little he knew of the sentiment which
prevailed in Britannula; how false was his idea of my power; and how
potent was that love of life which had been evinced in the city when
the hour for deposition had become nigh. All this I could hardly
explain to him, as I should thus be giving to him the strongest
evidence against my own philosophy. And yet it was necessary that
I should say something to make him understand that this sudden
deportation was not necessary. And then during that moment there came
to me suddenly an idea that it might be well that I should take this
journey to England, and there begin again my career,--as Columbus,
after various obstructions, had recommenced his,--and that I should
endeavour to carry with me the people of Great Britain, as I
had already carried the more quickly intelligent inhabitants of
Britannula. And in order that I may do so, I have now prepared these
pages, writing them on board H.M. gunboat, the John Bright.

"Your power is sufficient," I said.

"We are not sure of that," said Sir Ferdinando. "It is always well to
be on the safe side."

"Are you so afraid of what a single old man can do,--you with
your 250-ton swivellers, and your guard of marines, and your
North-north-west Birmingham soldiery?"

"That depends on who and what the old man may be." This was the
first complimentary speech which Sir Ferdinando had made, and I
must confess that it was efficacious. I did not afte