The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-03-21
OVER THU BORDER.
By WALTER BESANT.


that the world contained so much treas
ure Yet this rajah is but petty prince
and his wealth is as nothing compared
with that of many others There were
diamonds in bags, uncut. whose worth |
knew not, and diamonds in rings. sword
han,ses and womens gauds. there were
rubes. emeralds, sapphires. turquoises.
opals and all kinds of precious stones
strung rudely on common string as if they
were but pebbles There were also GOLD
and silver vessels of all kinds. and there
were casks full of gold coins AS took
out handful saw that many of them
were ancient. with Greek characters. per
haps left in this country by that great
soldier Alexander When had SURVEYED
these wonders thanked him and said
that | should not presume to take so
much as a single gold coin from his treas
ure but that if it should please his high
ness to offer me present should accept
it with gratitude, provided it was not too
costly He laughed at these words. and
when we came away | was so loaded with
gold that fancied myself already rich
man
Since this event it hath pleased Lord
Give to issue an order which prohibits
officers from accepting henceforth any
presents at all from the native princes
cannot but feel grateful that the order
was not issued before my own good for
tune Doubtless his excellency hath good
reasons for this order. which places the
mil q af 1xyo, ,forrr
pared with the writer's who have great
opportunities of making fortunes; and |
cannot but think that it is more noble
thing to win a fortune at the point of the
sword than by such arts as are dagy prac-
ticed by the writer's and civil servants of
the company There are many English
men, and many Frenchmen as well-but
we are driving them out of the country
who have become rich in the military
service of the Indian princess yet | shall
not exchange my present masters so long
as the merchants-who think nothing of
glory or of this country, yet a great deal
of their dividends-perceive that it is for
their safety. as well as for their credit. to
extend their power. and | have reason.
able hope that the good fortune which
hath hitherto attended me may continue,
so that | may return to my native coun
try. if only in my old age. amply pro
vded AS regards the climate | have as
yet experienced no great Inconvenience
from the heat The natives have learned
to fear an Englishman. rather than to
love him. which is. methinks, the thing we
should most desire when we have to rule
over people as ignorant of the Christian
virtues. although not barbarous. like the
naked blacks. but most ingenious. dex-
ferrous and skillful people, and of subtle
intellect. yet slothful of body lovers of
rest, deceivers regardless of truth for
ever schemng plots and cOntriving sub
tleties. and more cruel to prisoners than
the Spanish lnquisition The best among
them are followers of Mohammed, who
make faithful servants and good soldiers
1t is a country where the ambition and
jealousy of princes are continually causing
fresh wars to be undertaken. and where
European may lead life Of adventure to
his heart content
was reading as have said, this letter
aloud in presence of my two faithful
O. friends Now when | spoke of the drill
on board. and the sergeants rattan, and
the regimental supplejack. the fugleman
drew himself upright and shouldered the
garden spade. because there was no pike
At hand and when | read of the bo'sn's
ropes end and the ships cato nine tails.
Sailor Nan cooked her hat and stood with
feet apart and hands upon her hips and
began, but in whisper, to murmur
strange sea oaths. and when read the
account of the fight in which Ralph's
courage saved this grateful rajah-it was
most dreadful battle. IN which hundreds
of brave fellows and treacherous Hindoos
were killed. so that to read it made ones
heart cease to beat-the fugleman. car
ried beyond himseS. executed capers with