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Doctor Ledyard, I must tell you something! Now that Dick's semi-exile and mine are to end in the common highway, he and you must know why I have done many things will you listen?" From under Ledyard's shaggy brows his keen eyes flashed.
Springing forward to meet him, North told his story in as few words as possible. Ledyard's dark face paled with passion. "By heaven, they shall get a bloody welcome! Now, come, sir; follow me. You must need rest badly." As they passed through the village square, now lit up by many fires and filled with alarmed natives, Ledyard called out in his deep tones "Gather ye together, my friends.
The country had not recovered sufficiently from the throes of the Revolution to think of expanding territory. Individually and collectively, the nation was desperately poor. As for private sailing masters, they smiled at Ledyard's enthusiasm. An unclaimed world? What did they care? Where was the money in a venture to the Pacific?
"Let me send Margaret to you," pleaded the father at his wits' end. "Huntter is away. Will not be back until to-morrow. Perhaps you can move her. You brought her into the world; you ought to try and keep her here." At four Margaret entered Ledyard's office. She was very white, very self-possessed, but gently smiling.
Behind her were some terrified native women, one of whom carried Ledyard's youngest child in her arms. "'Rita, my girl," said Ledyard, placing his hand on his wife's shoulder and speaking in English, "these are friends. They have come to warn us. That young hell-pup, Charlik, is attacking us tomorrow. But quick, girl, get something for these gentlemen to eat and drink."
And yet he knew that up to the last ditch he must hold to what he had secured for himself the trust and friendship of these simple people. Hard and distasteful as the effort was he dared not turn himself from it. Full well he knew that Ledyard's magnifying glass was, unseen, being used against him even now.
Nathless, I was worn and weary when I arrived at Hanover, and was told there would be an hour before the Telegraph went forward. Again I hurried to the strand. This time I found a boat. A poor craft it was, but probably as good as Ledyard's. Leaky, but could be caulked. Destitute of row-locks, but they could be made. I found the owner. Yes, he would sell her to me.
"There is something sadly wrong with this broken engagement of Margaret's, but I imagine no one will ever know. Girls are so so different from what they used to be." "Yes," but a tone of doubt was in Ledyard's voice. Presently he said: "Since Dick has left, or may leave, the profession, I suppose he'll take to writing.
Ledyard was always challenging his undignified tendencies. "Unless doctors and nurses can leave their sex outside their profession," was a pet epigram of Ledyard's, "they had better choose another." But Travers had never been able to fulfil his partner's ideal. "It was a wonderful operation," he said. "I hope it did not overtire you. You will get hardened after a while." "I am not at all tired.
"You heard Doctor Hapgood say that?" "I did." "In your presence?" "No." Then she described the little scene graphically. "But Ledyard " Then he paused. Ledyard's confidence must be sacred to him. "And Huntter Huntter knows that you know; does he know that you are Margaret's friend?" "Yes." "And he trusts you?" "He thinks I do not count, but I do with Margaret."
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