It was a portrait of Dr.
James Barry, a military surgeon who came out to the Cape fifty years ago with his regiment.

He was a wild young fellow, and was guilty of various kinds of misbehavior.

He was several times reported to headquarters in England, and it was in each case expected that orders would come out to deal with him promptly and severely, but for some mysterious reason no orders of any kind ever came back--nothing came but just an impressive silence.

This made him an imposing and uncanny wonder to the town.
Next, he was promoted-away up.

He was made Medical Superintendent General, and transferred to India.