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   the rail in concert with the drum and the slipper of Madame."

Leyden paused and stared into the viscid water beneath. The land breeze was fanning steadily now; the regular pulses of sound had swelled in volume, but the interval was unchanged.

He continued, without looking up. "'Derrière mornes, gagner mornes,' as the Haytian proverb has it," he sighed. "But I did not guess what was behind their solicitude for my comfort. Fouchère politely denied any wish to retire, and Madame said that she would wait a little longer before asking to be excused.

" 'Come, we will smoke a fresh cigar,' said Fouchère, presently. He clapped his hands, but no servant appeared.

" 'The rascals are all out,' he said, apologetically. 'If you will pardon me, I will go myself.'

"I turned to Madame. 'Do you not find some of these customs rather terrifying?' I [ 260 ]