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a free gift。 They went on to explain that it was only to be
on my road； on the branch that joins my house with the public
way。
Now I was very much gratified at this compliment； although
（to one used to natives） it seemed rather a hollow one。 It
meant only that I should have to lay out a good deal of money
on tools and food and to give wages under the guise of
presents to some workmen who were most of them old and in
ill…health。 Conceive how much I was surprised and touched
when I heard the whole scheme explained to me。 They were to
return to their provinces； and collect their families； some
of the young men were to live in Apia with a boat； and ply up
and down the coast to A'ana and A'tua （our own Tuamasaga
being quite drained of resources） in order to supply the
working squad with food。 Tools they did ask for； but it was
especially mentioned that I was to make no presents。 In
short； the whole of this little 'presentation' to me had been
planned with a good deal more consideration than goes usually
with a native campaign。
（I sat on the opposite side of the circle to the talking man。
His face was quite calm and high…bred as he went through the
usual Samoan expressions of politeness and compliment； but
when he came on to the object of their visit； on their love
and gratitude to Tusitala； how his name was always in their
prayers； and his goodness to them when they had no other
friend； was their most cherished memory； he warmed up to
real； burning； genuine feeling。 I had never seen the Samoan
mask of reserve laid aside before； and it touched me more
than anything else。 A。M。）
This morning as ever was； bright and early up came the whole
gang of them； a lot of sturdy； common…looking lads they
seemed to be for the most part； and fell to on my new road。
Old Poe was in the highest of good spirits； and looked better
in health than he has done any time in two years； being
positively rejuvenated by the success of his scheme。 He
jested as he served out the new tools； and I am sorry to say
damned the Government up hill and down dale； probably with a
view to show off his position as a friend of the family
before his work…boys。 Now； whether or not their impulse will
last them through the road does not matter to me one hair。
It is the fact that they have attempted it； that they have
volunteered and are now really trying to execute a thing that
was never before heard of in Samoa。 Think of it！ It is
road…making … the most fruitful cause （after taxes） of all
rebellions in Samoa； a thing to which they could not be wiled
with money nor driven by punishment。 It does give me a sense
of having done something in Samoa after all。
Now there's one long story for you about 'my blacks。' … Yours
ever；
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON。
CHAPTER XLIV
VAILIMA； SAMOA；
OCT。 6TH； 1894。
MY DEAR COLVIN； … We have had quite an interesting month and
mostly in consideration of that road which I think I told you
was about to be made。 It was made without a hitch； though I
confess I was considerably surprised。 When they got through；
I wrote a speech to them； sent it down to a Missionary to be
translated； and invited the lot to a feast。 I thought a good
deal of this feast。 The occasion was really interesting。 I
wanted to pitch it in hot。 And I wished to have as many
influential witnesses present as possible。 Well； as it drew
towards the day I had nothing but refusals。 Everybody
supposed it was to be a political occasion； that I had made a
hive of rebels up here； and was going to push for new
hostilities。
The Amanuensis has been ill； and after the above trial
petered out。 I must return to my own； lone Waverley。 The
captain refused； telling me why； and at last I had to beat up
for people almost with prayers。 However； I got a good lot；
as you will see by the accompanying newspaper report。 The
road contained this inscription； drawn up by the chiefs
themselves：
'THE ROAD OF GRATITUDE。'
'Considering the great love of Tusitala in his loving care of
us in our distress in the prison； we have therefore prepared
a splendid gift。 It shall never be muddy； it shall endure
for ever； this road that we have dug。' This the newspaper
reporter could not give； not knowing any Samoan。 The same
reason explains his references to Seumanutafa's speech； which
was not long and WAS important； for it was a speech of
courtesy and forgiveness to his former enemies。 It was very
much applauded。 Secondly； it was not Poe； it was Mataafa
（don't confuse with Mataafa） who spoke for the prisoners。
Otherwise it is extremely correct。
I beg your pardon for so much upon my aboriginals。 Even you
must sympathise with me in this unheard…of compliment； and my
having been able to deliver so severe a sermon with
acceptance。 It remains a nice point of conscience what I
should wish done in the matter。 I think this meeting； its
immediate results； and the terms of what I said to them；
desirable to be known。 It will do a little justice to me；
who have not had too much justice done me。 At the same time；
to send this report to the papers is truly an act of self…
advertisement； and I dislike the thought。 Query； in a man
who has been so much calumniated； is that not justifiable？ I
do not know； be my judge。 Mankind is too complicated for me；
even myself。 Do I wish to advertise？ I think I do； God help
me！ I have had hard times here； as every man must have who
mixes up with public business； and I bemoan myself； knowing
that all I have done has been in the interest of peace and
good government； and having once delivered my mind； I would
like it； I think； to be made public。 But the other part of
me REGIMBS。
I know I am at a climacteric for all men who live by their
wits； so I do not despair。 But the truth is I am pretty
nearly useless at literature； and I will ask you to spare ST。
IVES when it goes to you； it is a sort of COUNT ROBERT OF
PARIS。 But I hope rather a DOMBEY AND SON； to be succeeded
by OUR MUTUAL FRIEND and GREAT EXPECTATIONS and A TALE OF TWO
CITIES。 No toil has been spared over the ungrateful canvas；
and it WILL NOT come together； and I must live； and my
family。 Were it not for my health； which made it impossible；
I could not find it in my heart to forgive myself that I did
not stick to an honest； common…place trade when I was young；
which might have now supported me during these ill years。
But do not suppose me to be down in anything else； only； for
the nonce； my skill deserts me； such as it is； or was。 It
was a very little dose of inspiration； and a pretty little
trick of style； long lost； improved by the most heroic
industry。 So far； I have managed to please the journalists。
But I am a fictitious article and have long known it。 I a