He was disturbed by a tap on the outer door—­the door that faced the sea.

“Who’s there?” he shouted, as he held in one hand a revolver, and in the other a bowie-knife of the usual fashion.

“Are you ready?”

It was a gruff voice, and yet there was something feminine about it.  CHARLEY had never feared to meet a woman yet, and he did not now shrink from the encounter.  However his training had made him cautious.  It might be a trap of the bloodthirsty Indians—­those Children of Nature who were known to indulge in any cruel subterfuge to secure the white men as their prey.

“Are you ready?” was repeated in the same gruff voice, but now the tone was one of entreaty.  The speaker seemed to be imploring for a reply.

CHARLEY hesitated no longer.  He put down the bowie-knife, and still holding the revolver, opened the door.

He started back!  Yes, it was a woman who confronted him.  But such a woman!  Her face was weather-beaten and sunburnt.  Her hair was grey, and there were pieces of sea-weed in the shapeless mass that once may have been called a bonnet.  She was wearing a heavy serge dress that was dripping with the sea.  On her huge feet were old boots sodden with sand and wet.  She might have been of any age, from fifty upwards.

She gazed at CHARLEY with an uncanny smile, and extended her arms towards him.  Then she spoke in the same gruff tone,

“Come to your MARTHA!”

And CHARLEY knew he had met a chum!

* * * * *

There, something like the above might do.  The woods in the neighbourhood of Herne Bay are just the places for adventure, and, with thought, a good deal might be managed with the Reculvers.

And now, Mr. Punch, I have done.

Yours respectfully, A WILD WELSH RAREBIT.

* * * * *

COMMERCE A L’AMERICAINE.

(PAGE FROM A DIARY ON THE POINT OF BEING WRITTEN.)

Monday.—­Miners of the Great Hagglenaggle Fields ask for increase of wages, emphasising their demand by firing off revolvers and brandishing bowie-knives.

Tuesday.—­Masters of the Great Hagglenaggle Fields refuse to treat with Miners, and entrench themselves behind ironclad back gardens.  They also send for a force of PATTERSON’s Mercenary Chuckers-out.  Fighting imminent.

Wednesday.—­Appearance of PATTERSON’s Mercenary Chuckers out.  They are met by Miners with discharges of Gattling guns and land torpedoes.

Thursday.—­The two armies face to face.  Both sides fire away, using up all their ammunition.  End of the day’s contest, no balance on either side.  Great success of the new General Interment Company.  Shares at thirty premium.

Friday.—­Reinforcements for both sides.  A general engagement considered imminent.  In the meanwhile, pour passer le temps, skirmishes and slaughter of thousands.