MAIFONI 255 



to the Pagans. I had a grand entertainment from the 

 gramophone two nights ago ; for some time the instrument 

 had been laid up." 



THE GRAVE OF CAPTAIX CLAUD ALEXANDER 



On the following night, November 12, while we were all 

 watching round his bed, the silence was suddenly broken by 

 the sound of a shot quite near. Parsons and Talbot went out 

 and found an excited crowd of soldiers gathered by the guard- 

 room, though at a safe distance, with the corner of the building 

 between them and the door. They said that the shot must 

 have been fired by a soldier who had been detected stealing 

 and was placed under arrest. They could not explain how 

 he had got hold of a rifle and ammunition, and did not like 

 to enter as they feared he had gone mad and would shoot 

 any one who appeared at the door. Parsons and Talbot 



