I   cannot  tmderstand  his  willingness  to  go^  to

Queensland.     It  is  a  deep  puzzle  to  me.     Here  is

the  explanation,  from  the  planter's  point  of  view;

at  least  I  gather  from  the  missionary's  pamphlet  that

-  it  is  the.planter's :

When'he  comes  from  his  home  he  is  a  savage,  piire  and  simple.
•He  feels  no  shame  at  his  nakedness  and  want  of  adortmient.
;4  When  he  returns  home  he  does  so  well  dressed,  sporting  a  Water-

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FOLLOWING    THE    EQUATOR

bury  watch,  odlars,  cuffs,  boots,  and  jewelry.  He  takes  with
him  one  or  more  boxes '  well  filled  with  clothing,  a  musical  in^
stnuhent  or  two,  and  perfumery  and  other  articles  of  luxuiy
he  has  learned  to  appreciate.
For  just  one  moment  we  have  a  seeming  flash  of
comprehension  of  the  Kanalca's  reascm  for  exiling  •
himself:  he  goes  aw^y  toi acquire  civilization.  Yes,
he  was  naked  and  not  ashamed,  now  he  is  clothed
and  knows  how  to  be  ashamed;  he  was  tmenlight-
ened,  now  he  has  a  Waterbtiry  Watch;  he  was  tmre-
fined,  now  he  has  jewelry,  and  something  to  make
him  smell  good ;  he  was  a  nobody,  a  provincial,  now
he  has  been  to  far  countries  and  can  show  off.
It  all  looks  plausible — ^for  a  moment.  Then  the
missionary  takes  hold  of  this  explanation  and  pulls  it
to  pieces,  and  dances  an  it,  and  damages  it  beyond
recognition..
