and, this time, he brought his families with him. There were sixteen of
them in all.

"What was I to do? I had brought these people step by step to the verge
of starvation. I had laid waste alike their happiness and their
prospects in life. The least amends I could make was to see that at all
events they did not want for the necessities of existence.

"That was seventeen years ago. I am still seeing that they do not want
for the necessities of existence; and my conscience is growing easier by
noticing that they seem contented with their lot. There are twenty-two
of them now, and we have hopes of another in the spring.

"That is my story," he said. "Perhaps you will now understand my sudden
emotion when you asked for my advice. As a matter of fact, I do not give
advice now on any subject."

* * * * *

I told this tale to MacShaughnassy. He agreed with me that it was
instructive, and said he should remember it. He said he should remember
it so as to tell it to some fellows that he knew, to whom he thought the
lesson should prove useful.




CHAPTER II