This, however, was too heroic a course. He was tired, and wanted a
night's rest in a bed; he was hungry, and wanted a substantial meal; he
was curious, moreover, to see the temple dedicated to himself, and hear
Hanky's sermon; there was also this further difficulty, he should have to
take what he had sold the Professors without returning them their 4
pounds, 10s., for he could not do without his blanket, &c.; and even if
he left a bag of nuggets made fast to the sucker, he must either place it
where it could be seen so easily that it would very likely get stolen, or
hide it so cleverly that the Professors would never find it. He
therefore compromised by concluding that he would sup and sleep in
Sunch'ston, get through the morrow as he best could without attracting
attention, deepen the stain on his face and hair, and rely on the change
so made in his appearance to prevent his being recognised at the
dedication of the temple. He would do nothing to disillusion the
people--to do this would only be making bad worse. As soon as the
service was over, he would set out towards the preserves, and, when it
was well dark, make for the statues. He hoped that on such a great day
the rangers might be many of them in Sunch'ston; if there were any about,
he must trust the moonless night and his own quick eyes and ears to get
him through the preserves safely.
Pages:
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99