Chapter 2

           "OneeveningasIwaslyingflatonthedeckofmysteamboat,Iheardvoicesapproaching—andtherewerethenephewandtheunclestrollingalongthebank.Ilaidmyheadonmyarmagain,andhadnearlylostmyselfinadoze,whensomebodysaidinmyear,asitwere:‘Iamasharmlessasalittlechild,butIdon’tliketobedictatedto.AmIthemanager—oramInot?Iwasorderedtosendhimthere.It’sincredible.’...Ibecameawarethatthetwowerestandingontheshorealongsidetheforepartofthesteamboat,justbelowmyhead.Ididnotmove;itdidnotoccurtometomove:Iwassleepy.‘ItISunpleasant,’gruntedtheuncle.‘HehasaskedtheAdministrationtobesentthere,’saidtheother,‘withtheideaofshowingwhathecoulddo;andIwasinstructedaccordingly.Lookattheinfluencethatmanmusthave.Isitnotfrightful?’Theybothagreeditwasfrightful,thenmadeseveralbizarreremarks:‘Makerainandfineweather—oneman—theCouncil—bythenose’—bitsofabsurdsentencesthatgotthebetterofmydrowsiness,sothatIhadprettynearthewholeofmywitsaboutmewhentheunclesaid,‘Theclimatemaydoawaywiththisdifficultyforyou.Ishealonethere?’‘Yes,’answeredthemanager;‘hesenthisassistantdowntheriverwithanotetomeintheseterms:"Clearthispoordeviloutofthecountry,anddon’tbothersendingmoreofthatsort.Ihadratherbealonethanhavethekindofmenyoucandisposeofwithme."Itwasmorethanayearago.