Page:Following the Equator (Mark Twain).djvu/651

Rh dians of the relic had ever stirred England before, and protests came flowing in–and money, too, to stop the outrage. Offers of re-purchase were made–offers of double the money that Mr. Barnum had paid for the house. He handed the house back, but took only the sum which it had cost him—but on the condition that an endowment sufficient for the future safeguarding and maintenance of the sacred relic should be raised. This condition was fulfilled.

That was Barnum's account of the episode; and to the end of his days he claimed with pride and satisfaction that not England, but America–represented by him–saved the birthplace of Shakespeare from destruction.

At 3, May 6th, the ship slowed down, off the land, and thoughtfully and cautiously picked her way into the snug harbor of Durban, South Africa.