There was never any man had so many irons in the fire, except
Jim Pinkerton. I forgot to mention I have the most gallant
suggestion from Lang, with an offer of MS. authorities, which
turns my brain. It's all about the throne of Poland and
buried treasure in the Mackay country, and Alan Breck can
figure there in glory.

Yesterday, J. and I set off to Blacklock's (American Consul)
who lives not far from that little village I have so often
mentioned as lying between us and Apia. I had some questions
to ask him for my History; thence we must proceed to Vailele,
where I had also to cross-examine the plantation manager
about the battle there. We went by a track I had never
before followed down the hill to Vaisigano, which flows here
in a deep valley, and was unusually full, so that the horses
trembled in the ford. The whole bottom of the valley is full
of various streams posting between strips of forest with a
brave sound of waters. In one place we had a glimpse of a
fall some way higher up, and then sparkling in sunlight in
the midst of the green valley. Then up by a winding path
scarce accessible to a horse for steepness, to the other
side, and the open cocoanut glades of the plantation. Here
we rode fast, did a mighty satisfactory afternoon's work at
the plantation house, and still faster back. On the return
Jack fell with me, but got up again; when I felt him
recovering I gave him his head, and he shoved his foot
through the rein; I got him by the bit however, and all was
well; he had mud over all his face, but his knees were not
broken. We were scarce home when the rain began again; that