"All right," said I.
"I shall be responsible, Monsieur," said the dragoman, piteously.
"It shall be all right," said I, again. "If that does not satisfy
you, you may remain behind."
"If Monsieur says it is all right, of course it is so;" and then he
completed his strapping. We took blankets with us, of which I had
to borrow two out of the hotel for my friend Smith, a small hamper
of provisions, a sack containing forage for the horses, and a large
empty jar, so that we might supply ourselves with water when leaving
the neighbourhood of wells for any considerable time.
"I ought to have brought these things for myself," said Smith, quite
unhappy at finding that he had thrown on me the necessity of
catering for him. But I laughed at him, saying that it was nothing;
he should do as much for me another time. I am prepared to own that
I do not willingly rush up-stairs and load myself with blankets out
of strange rooms for men whom I do not know; nor, as a rule, do I
make all the Smiths of the world free of my canteen. But, with
reference to this fellow I did feel more than ordinarily good-
natured and unselfish.
Pages:
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32