Part 39 (2/2)

”Rrruksa!” [Ruksa, you have leave to go]

The poor wretch turned and went, staggering rather than walking, to the door and disappearing into outer darkness without a backward glance

”Now for sos and a round of drinks!” Schubert shouted

But Fred was no longer in mood to make music, or even to be civil He shut the concertina up, and asked the Jewithout music, and while aited for the Jew to reckon up Fred's score Schubert came over to us, sat down between me and Fred, and proceeded to deal with the new situation in proper German lish criticize!” he began ”Can you never travel without applying your cursed standards to everything you behold? I tell you, we Germans kno to rule these black people! We understand! We eive orders--they obey, or else suffer terribly and swiftly! In thatwhere we are!”

”Are you well loved by the people?” Fred asked him politely

”Bah! Sie wollen wohl beliebt werden! Not I! Not we! Of what value is the love of such people? Their fear is e cultivate! Having made them afraid of us, we successfully make them work our will! But why should I trouble to explain? In a few years there will only be one governlish are not fit to govern colonies! You are s of a black ress--advances a realthe aihts!

None whatever! You know, I suppose, that it is the policy of the Gere the spread of Muhaiven in the Koran woood! That is as it should be! No women have souls!”

------------ You want to be popular, don't you!

”How about your own ood Prussian! She was a super-woman! Not to be mentioned in the saood Prussian mother--could not hold a candle to a man! Her business was to raise sons for Prussia, and she did it! I have eight brothers, all in the army, and only one sister; she has four sons already!”

”Strange that your nation should breed like that!” said Fred

”Not strange at all!” answered Schubert ”We are needed to conquer the world! Think, for instance, e have conquered the Congo Free State, and taken away East and South Africa froypt and India!--how eant-majors we shall want! Donnerwetter! Do you think we Ger be satisfied with this lish left to us on this coast? We use this for a foothold, that is all! We use this to gain tiet ready! You think perhaps I do not know, eh? I am only feldwebel--non-coood I tell you our officers talk all the ti else!

And they don't care who hears theave Fred his bill, scrawled on a piece of wrapping paper

Schubert snatched it away and cruuests to-night! I invited you!”

”Thanks” Fred answered, ”but we don't care to be your guests Here,”

he said, turning to the Jew, ”take your , but eyed the Jeith a perfectly blank face, as if he watched to see whether the man would damn himself or not

”Take your money!” repeated Fred But the Jew turned his back and busied himself with bottles at the side-table

”He knows better!” Schubert laughed ”He understands by this tiht,” answered Fred ”We'll go out without paying!”

”Not at all,” retorted Schubert ”The mess shall pay bill in full!

You stay here until I have said what I have to say to you! The rest of your party o, but you stay! You can explain to the others afterward”

He leaned forward, reached a bottle of beer off the table, knocked off the neck, and eht

Behind his back we exchanged glances