Кінець рабства
IV
Thethengovernorhadgivenhimnoendofencouragement.NoExcellencyhe—thisMr.Denham—thisgovernorwithhisjacketoff;amanwhotendednightandday,sotospeak,thegrowingprosperityofthesettlementwiththeself-forgetfuldevotionofanurseforachildsheloves;alonebachelorwholivedasinacampwiththefewservantsandhisthreedogsinwhatwascalledthentheGovernmentBungalow:alow-roofedstructureonthehalf-clearedslopeofahill,withanewflagstaffinfrontandapoliceorderlyontheveranda.Herememberedtoilingupthathillunderaheavysunforhisaudience;theunfurnishedaspectofthecoolshadedroom;thelongtablecoveredatoneendwithpilesofpapers,andwithtwoguns,abrasstelescope,asmallbottleofoilwithafeatherstuckintheneckattheother—andtheflatteringattentiongiventohimbythemaninpower.Itwasanundertakingfullofriskhehadcometoexpound,butatwentyminutes’talkintheGovernmentBungalowonthehillhadmadeitgosmoothlyfromthestart.AndashewasretiringMr.Denham,alreadyseatedbeforethepapers,calledoutafterhim,“NextmonththeDidostartsforacruisethatway,andIshallrequesthercaptainofficiallytogiveyoualookinandseehowyougeton.”TheDidowasoneofthesmartfrigatesontheChinastation—andfive-and-thirtyyearsmakeabigsliceoftime.Five-and-thirtyyearsagoanenterpriselikehishadforthecolonyenoughimportancetobelookedafterbyaQueen’sship.Abigsliceoftime.Individualswereofsomeaccountthen.
