He rode on to Christianstadt.  There the evidences of the hurricane were less appalling, for the houses, standing close together, had protected each other, and only two were unroofed; but everywhere the trees looked like twisted poles, the streets and gardens were full of rubbish, and down by the bay the shore was strewn with the wreckage of ships; the Park behind the Fort was thick with decaying fish, which the blacks were but just now sweeping out to the water.

After Alexander had ascertained that Mr. Mitchell’s house was quite unharmed, although a neighbour had lost half a roof and been deluged in consequence, he walked out Company Street to see how it had fared with Hugh Knox.  That worthy gentleman was treating his battered nerves with weak whiskey and water when he caught sight of Alexander through the library window.  He gave a shout that drew an exasperated groan through the ceiling, flung open the door, and clasped his beloved pupil in his arms.

“I knew you were safe, because you are you, although I’ve been afraid to ask if you were dead or alive.  Cruger sent out three others to warn the planters, and they’ve all been brought home, one dead, one maimed, one with chills and fever and as mad as a March hare.  Good God! what a visitation!  I’d rather have been on a moving bog in Ireland.  You wouldn’t have ridden out in that hurricane if I’d got you, not if I’d been forced to tie you up.  Fancy your being here alive, and not even a cold in your head!  But you’ve a grand destiny to work out, and the hurricane—­which I believe was the Almighty in a temper—­knew what it was about.  Now tell me your experience.  I’m panting to tell you mine.  I’ve not had a soul to talk to since the hour it started.  The Missis behaved like a Trojan while it lasted, then went to bed, and hasn’t spoken to me since; and as for everyone else in Christianstadt—­well, they’ve retired to calm their nerves in the only way,—­prayer first and whiskey after.”

Alexander took possession of his own easy-chair and looked gratefully around the room.  The storm had not disturbed it, neither had a wench’s duster.  Since his mother’s death he had loved this room with a more grateful affection than any mortal had inspired, well as he loved his aunt, Hugh Knox, and Neddy.  But the room did not talk, and the men who had written the great books which made him indifferent to his island prison for days and weeks at a time, were dead, and their selfishness was buried with them.

Meanwhile Knox, forgetting his desire to hear the experience of his guest, was telling his own.  It was sufficiently thrilling, but not to be compared with that of the planter’s; and when he had finished, Alexander began with some pride to relate his impressions of the storm.  He, too, had not talked for three days; his heart felt warm again; and in the familiar comfortable room, the terrible picture of the hurricane seemed to spring sharp and vivid from his memory;