WITH CASTE AGAINST HIM
his countrymen, but corral a few scudi on the side.
"Every one did a high hurdle to accept the unexpected offer, and we set forth on the Kalanke, one of Lord Blam's boats, running to Adelaide. Once we were well under way on the fifty-four-hundred-mile scamper, Tib began to evidence the last streak of indomitable assurance I was ever privileged to observe. He began by making a slim, teary woman, who played Little Eva, believe she wasn't sea-sick. 'Why, child,' he cried, the first afternoon out, and drawing up his dear, rotund old form and looking more enthusiastic than any real-estate dealer you ever kenned, 'don't linger over the present physical inconvenience of our flight. Don't even hesitate. Imagine you feel like emulating the lark because of this chance to reap in the savory salads of Australian greens. Try and picture, if you please—and kindly throw away that devilish lemon—Opportunity, clean-shaven and bald-headed, gliding by your door in a seventy-eight horse-power romp-cart, in the last speed and at the mirk hour of midnight, with you chloroformed and locked in your gilded cage. Picture me with a jiu-jitsu strangle-hold on Mr. Oppo, detaining him until you can come to, slip on your Horse-Show gown, and scuttle down and relieve me by macing him into captivity. Then you will be feasting your magnetic orbs on a tinge of truth.
313
