"What improvements would you suggest?" Lord Mallow asked urbanely, for
he was set to play his cards carefully to-day.
"More wisdom in the governor," was the cheerful and bright reply.
"Is he lacking in wisdom?"
"In some ways, yes."
"Will you mind specifying some of the things?"
"I think he is careless."
"Careless--as to what?"
Sheila smiled. "He is indifferent to good advice. He has been told of
trouble among the Maroons, that they mean to rise; he has been advised to
make preparations, and he makes none, and he is deceived by a show of
loyalty on the part of the slaves. Lord Mallow, if the free Maroons
rise, why should not the black slaves rise at the same time? Why do you
not act?"
"Is everybody whose good opinion is worth having mad?" answered the
governor. "I have sent my inspectors to Trelawney. I have had reports
from them. I have used every care--what would you have me do?"
"Used every care? Why don't you ensure the Maroons peaceableness by
advancing on them? Why don't you take them prisoners? They are enraged
that two of their herdsmen should be whipped by a negro-slave under the
order of one of your captains.
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