V 
TO THE CAVES 
55 
more. They all turned up in the evening, papers, 
magazines, and all. 
Was ever there a man more thoughtful ? — the pages 
were even cut for me, and I especially noted the chapter 
on “ dutiful wives,” and will take great care, as you 
always say, of “ your wife for you,” and the fat port- 
folios that I shall send home from time to time will 
compensate for the months without her. 
I had visitors all the afternoon, all doing their 
utmost to persuade me not to attempt the rough 
journey to the Caves. But how could I turn back 
after coming so far, notwithstanding that I have met 
with a great disappointment, as I had a half-promise 
that a lady companion would go on with me from 
here, and I found that the idea of the journey had 
frightened her. The prospect does not look promising ; 
a coach drive to-morrow (for I have determined to go 
on at once) from five in the morning until half-past 
eleven at night, when we ought to reach Muldiva, and 
then a rather indefinite Beyond. How I am to get to 
the Caves from there I have yet to find out, but I am 
armed with three or four letters which will help me on 
the way. 
Muldiva. 
I am gradually nearing the Caves, but what a 
journey it has been ! In spite of the many warnings I 
received I was determined to come, and here I am, 
sitting now, as I write, in a corrugated iron house in 
the principal street of this newly-found mining town 
of Muldiva. I am only too glad to have been lent 
this retreat to come to for the day, away from the 
noise of the hotel, which is only a few doors off. 
Opposite me is the police station, which fact is painted 
