Robinson.  “Well, I consent!”

Stevens. “’May dogs defile the graves of your enemies! ’”

Robinson.  “With all my heart! provided I am not dancing over them at the time.”

Stevens.  “When satiated with earthly felicity, may you be received in paradise by seventy dark-eyed houris—­’”

Robinson.  “Oh! my eye!”

Stevens.  “Click!  ’Each bearing in her hand the wine of the faithful; and may the applause of the good at your departure resemble the waves of the ocean beating musically upon rocky caverns.  Thy servant, inexperienced in oratory, retires abashed at the greatness of his subject, and the insignificance of his expressions.’  So then he cut his stick!”

Robinson.  “A very sensible speech!  Well, boys, I’m not greedy; I take the half of that offer, and give you the rest—­bring in the other gentleman!”

No. 2 advanced with reverences and misgivings.  Robinson placed the gold on the table and assigned it to him.  A sacred joy illumined him, and he was about to retire with deep obeisances.

“Where is his speech?” cried the judge ruefuly.

Stevens explained to him that the other had returned thanks.  On this No. 2 smiled assentingly, and advancing delivered the following sentences: 

“Your slave lay writhing in adversity, despoiled by the unprincipled.  He was a gourd withered by the noonday sun, until your virtues descended like the dew, and refreshed him with your justice and benignity.

“Wherefore hear now the benediction of him whom your clemency has raised from despair.

“May your shadow increase and cover many lands.  May your offspring be a nation dwelling in palaces with golden roofs and walls of ivory, and on the terraces may peacocks be as plentiful as sparrows are to the undeserving.  May you live many centuries shining as you now shine; and at your setting may rivulets of ink dug by the pens of poets flow through meadows of paper in praise of the virtues that embellish you here on earth.  Sing-tu-Che, a person of small note but devoted to your service, wishes these frivolous advantages to the Pearl of the West, on whom be honor.”

Chorus of diggers.  “My eye!”

Robinson rose with much gravity and delivered himself thus: 

“Sing-tu-Che, you are a trump, an orator, and a humbug.  All the better for you.  May felicity attend you.  Heichster guchster—­honi soit qui mal y pense—­donner und blitzen—­tempora mutantur—­O mia cara and pax vobiscum.  The court is dissolved.”

It was, and I regret to add that Judge Robinson’s concluding sentences raised him greatly in the opinion of the miners.

“Captain knows a thing or two.”

“If ever we send one to parliament that is the man.”

“Halo! you fellows, come here! come here!”

A rush was made toward Jem, who was roaring and gesticulating at Mr. Levi’s table.  When they came up they found Jem black and white with rage, and Mr. Levi seated in calm indifference.