Rewards and Fairies - Penn State University

Rudyard Kipling
‘“Madeira,” says he. “Not so good as some I have drunk.” order to the Prize Court at Le Havre to restore my friend here
‘“You mountebank!” Boney roars. “Turn that out.” (He his ship.”
didn’t even say “man,” but Talleyrand, being gentle born, just ‘“Nonsense!” says Boney. “Give away an oak-built brig of
went on.)
two hundred and seven tons for sentiment? Certainly not!
‘“Pheasant is not so good as pork,” he says. “You will find She must be armed into my Navy with ten—no, fourteen
some at that table if you will do me the honour to sit down. twelve-pounders and two long fours. Is she strong enough to
Pass him a clean plate, General.” And, as true as I’m here, bear a long twelve forward?”
Boney slid a plate along just like a sulky child. He was a lanky- ‘Now I could ha’ sworn he’d paid no heed to my talk, but
haired, yellow-skinned little man, as nervous as a cat—and as that wonderful head-piece of his seemingly skimmed off ev-
dangerous. I could feel that.
ery word of it that was useful to him.
‘“And now,” said Talleyrand, crossing his game leg over his ‘“Ah, General!” says Talleyrand. “You are a magician—a ma-
sound one, “will you tell me your story?” ‘I was in a fluster, gician without morals. But the brig is undoubtedly Ameri-
but I told him nearly everything from the time he left me the can, and we don’t want to offend them more than we have. “
five hundred dollars in Philadelphia, up to my losing ship ‘“Need anybody talk about the affair?” he says. He didn’t
and cargo at Le Havre. Boney began by listening, but after a look at me, but I knew what was in his mind—just cold
bit he dropped into his own thoughts and looked at the crowd murder because I worried him; and he’d order it as easy as
sideways through the front-room curtains. Talleyrand called ordering his carriage.
to him when I’d done.
‘“You can’t stop ‘em,” I said. “There’s twenty-two other men
‘“Eh? What we need now,” says Boney, “is peace for the besides me.” I felt a little more ‘ud set me screaming like a
next three or four years.”
wired hare.
‘“Quite so,” says Talleyrand. “Meantime I want the Consul’s ‘“Undoubtedly American,” Talleyrand goes on. “You would
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