第4章

WhereuponhewhirledhimselfinAthens。AnditwastotheconsiderableastonishmentofsomeAthenians。HediscoveredandinstantlysubsidisedayoungEnglishmanwho，duringhisabsenceatthefront，wouldactascorrespondentfortheEclipseatthecapital。Hetookuntohimselfadragomanandthenboughtthreehorsesandhiredagroomataspeedthatcausedalittlecrowdatthehorsedealer"splacetocomeoutuponthepavementandwatchthissurprisingyoungmanridebacktowardhishotel。HehadalreadydrivenhisdragomanintoacuriousstateofOrientalbewildermentandpanicinwhichhecouldonlylumberhastilyandhelplesslyhereandthere，withhisfaceinthemeantimemarkedwithagony。Coleman"sownfieldequipmenthadbeenorderedbycablefromNewYorktoLondon，butitwasnecessarytobuymuchtinnedmeats，chocolate，coffee，candles，patentfood，brandy，tobaccos，medicineandotherthings。

Hewenttobedthatnightfeelingmoreplacid。ThetrainbacktoPatraswastostartintheearlymorning，andhefeltthesatisfactionofamanwhoisatlastabouttostartonhisowngreatquest。Beforehedroppedofftoslumber，heheardcrowdscheeringexultantlyinthestreets，andthecheeringmovedhimasithaddoneinthemorning。Hefeltthatthecelebrationofthepeoplewasreallyanaccompanimenttohisprimalreason，areasonofloveandambitiontoconquerinlove-evenasinthetheatre，themusicaccompaniestheheroinhisprogress。HearoseonceduringthenighttostudyamapoftheBalkanpeninsulaandgetnailedintohismindtheexactpositionofNikopolis。Itwasimportant。

CHAPTERIX。

COLEMAN"Sdragomanarousedhiminthebluebeforedawn。

Thecorrespondentarrayedhimselfinoneofhisnewkhakisuits-

ridingbreechesandatunicwellmarkedwithbuttonedpockets-

andaccompaniedbysomeofhisbeautifulbrownluggage，theydepartedforthestation。

TheridetoPatrasisaterrorunderordinarycircumstances。Itbeginsintheearlymorningandendsinthetwilight。ToColeman，havingjustcomefromPatrastoAthens，thisjourneyfromAthenstoPatrashadalltheexasperatingelementsofaforcedrecantation。Moreover，hehadnotcomepreparedtoviewwithawetheancientcityofCorinthnortoviewwithadmirationthelimpidbeautiesofthegulfofthatnamewithitsolivegroveshore。HewasnotstirredbyParnassus，afar-awaysnow-fieldhighontheblackshouldersofthemountainsacrossthegulf。No；hewishedtogotoNikopolis。Hepassedoverthegravesofanancientracethegleamofwhosemightymindsshot，hardlydimmed，throughthecloudingages。No；hewishedtogotoNikopolis。Thetrainwentatasnail"space，andifColemanbadaninterestitwasinthepeoplewholinedtherouteandcheeredthesoldiersonthetrain。InColemanscompartmenttherewasagreasypersonwhospokealittleEnglish。Heexplainedthathewasapoet，apoetwhonowwroteofnothingbutwar。Whenamanisinpursuitofhisloveandsuccessisknowntobeatleastremote，itoftenrelieveshisstrainifheisdeeplyboredfromtimetotime。

ThetrainwasreallyobligedtoarrivefinallyatPatrasevenifitwasatortoise，andwhenthishappened，ahotelrunnerappeared，wholiedforthebenefitofthehotelinsayingthattherewasnoboatovertoMesalonghithatnight。When，alltoolate，Colemandiscoveredthetruthofthematterhiswretcheddragomancameinforaperiodofinfamyandsuffering。

However，whilestrollingintheplazaatPatras，amidnewsboysfromeveryside，byrumourandtruth，Colemanlearnedthingstohisadvantage。AGreekfleetwasbombardingPrevasa。PrevasawasnearNikopolis。TheopposingarmiesatArtawereengaged，principallyinanartilleryduel。ArtawasontheroadfromNikopolisintoGreece。Hearingthisnewsinthesunlitsquaremadehimbetraynoweakness，butinthedarknessofhisroomatthehotel，heseemedtobeholdMarjoryencircledbyinsurmountablewallsofflame。Hecouldlookoutofhiswindowintotheblacknightofthenorthandfeeleveryounceofahideouscircumstance。Itappalledhim；herewasnopowerofcallingupascoreofreportersandsendingthemscamperingtoaccomplisheverything。Heevenmightaswellhavebeenwithoutatongueasfarasitcouldservehimingoodlyspeech。Hewasalone，confrontingtheblackominousTurkishnorthbehindwhichwerethedeadlyflames；behindtheflameswasMarjory。Itworkeduponhimuntilhefeltobligedtocallinhisdragoman，andthen，seatedupontheedgeofhisbedandwavinghispipeeloquently，hedescribedtheplightofsomeverydearfriendswhowerecutoffatNikopolisinEpirus。Someofhistalkwasalmostwistfulinitswishforsympathyfromhisservant，butattheendhebadethedragomanunderstandthatbe，Coleman，wasgoingtotheirrescue，andhedefiantlyaskedthehirelingifhewaspreparedtogowithhim。

ButhedidnotknowtheGreeknature。Intwominutesthedragomanwasweepingtearsofenthusiasm，and，forthesetears，Colemanwasover-grateful，becausehehadnotbeentoldthatanyofthemorecrudeformsofsentimentarousethecommonGreektothehighestpitch，butsometimes，whenitcomestowhattheAmericanscalla"showdown，"whenhegetsbackedtowardhislastcornerwithasolitaryprivilegeofdyingforthesesentiments，perhapshedoesnotalwaysexhibitthosetalentswhicharesupposedtobepossessedbythebulldog。Heoftenthen，goesintothecafesandtake"sitoutinoration，likeanycommonParisian。

InthemorningAsteamercarriedthemacrossthestraitandlandedthemnearMesalonghiatthefootoftherailroadthatleadstoAgrinion。AtAgrinionColemanatlastbegantofeelthathewasnearinghisgoal。Therewereplentyofsoldiersinthetown，whoreceivedwithdelightandapplausethisgentlemaninthedistinguished-lookingkhakiclotheswithhisrevolverandhisfieldglassesandhiscanteenand；hisdragoman。Thedragomanlied，ofcourse，andvocifcratedthatthegentlemaninthedistinguished-lookingkhakiclotheswasanEnglishsoldierofreputation，whohad，naturally，cometohelpthecrossinitsfightagainst，thecrescent。HealsosaidthathismasterhadthreesuperbhorsescomingfromAthensinchargeofagroom，andwasundoubtedlygoingtojointhecavalry。Whereuponthesoldierswishedtoembraceandkissthegentlemaninthedistinguished-lookingkhakiclothes。

Therewasmoreorlessofascuffle。Colemanwouldhavetakentokickingandpunching，buthefoundthatbya-seriesofelusivemovementshecoulddodgethedemonstrationsofaffectionwithoutlosinghispopularity。Escortedbythesoldiers，citizens，childrenanddogs，hewenttothediligencewhichwastotakehimandothersthenextstageofthejourney。

Asthediligenceproceeded，Coleman"smindsufferedanotherlittleinroadofill-fateastothesuccessofhisexpedition。Inthefirstplaceitappearedfoolishtoexpectthatthisdiligencewouldeverarriveanywhere。Moreover，theaccommodationswereaboutequaltowhatonewouldendureifoneundertooktosleepforanightinatree。Thentherewasadevil-dog，alittleblack-and-tanterrierinablanketgorgeousandbelled，whosedutyitwastostandonthetopofthecoachandbarkincessantlytokeepthedriverfullyarousedtotheenormityofhisoccupation。Tohavethiscursilencedeitherbystrangulationorordinaryclubbing，ColemanstruggledwithhisdragomanasJacobstruggledwiththeangel，butinthefirstplace，thedragomanwasaGreekwhosetonguecouldgoquitedrunk，aGreekwhobecameaslavetotheheraldingandestablishmentofonecertainfact，orlie，andnowhewasengagedindescribingtoeveryvillageandtoallthecountrysidetheprowessofthegentlemaninthedistinguished-lookingkhakiclothes。Itwasthegeneralabsurdityofthisadvancetothefrontierandthefighting，tothecrucialplacewherehewasresolvedtomakeanattempttorescuehissweetheart；itwasthisridiculousaspectthatcausedtocometoColemanapremonitionoffailure。Noknighteverwentouttorecoveralostloveinsuchadiligenceandwithsuchadevil-dog，tinklinghislittlebellsandyelpinginsanelytokeepthedriverawake。

Afternight-falltheyarrivedatatownonthesoutherncoastoftheGulfofArtaandthegoadeddragomanwas-thrustforthfromthelittleinnintothestreettofindthefirstpossiblemeansofgettingontoArta。HereturnedatlasttotremulouslysaythattherewasnosinglechanceofstartingforArtathatnight。Whereuponhewasagainthrustintothestreetwithorders，strictorders。

Induetime，Colemanspreadhisrugsuponthefloorofhislittleroomandthoughthimselfalmostasleep，。whenthedragomanenteredwithareallyintelligentmanwho，forsomereason，hadagreedtoconsortwithhiminthebusinessofgettingthestrangerofftoArta。TheyannouncedthattherewasabrigantineabouttosailwithaloadofsoldiersforalittleportnearArta，andifColemanhurriedhecouldcatchit，permissionfromanofficerhavingalreadybeenobtained。Hewasupatonce，andthedragomanandtheunaccountablyintelligentpersonhastilygatheredhischattels。Steppingoutintoablackstreetandmovingtotheedgeofblackwaterandembarkinginablackboatfilledwithsoldierswhoseriflesdimlyshone，wasasimpressivetoColemanasif，really，ithadbeenthefirststart。Hehadenduredmanystarts，itwastrue，butthelatestonealwaystouchedhimasbeingconclusive。

Therewerenolightsonthebrigantineandthemenswungprecariouslyuphersidestothedeckwhichwasalreadyoccupiedbyababblingmultitude。Thedragomanjudiciouslyfoundaplaceforhismasterwhereduringthenightthelatterhadtomovequicklyeverytimethetillerwasshiftedtostarboard。

Thecraftraisedhershadowysailsandswungslowlyoffintothedeepgloom。Forward，someofthesoldiersbegantosingweirdminormelodies。Coleman，envelopedinhisrugs，-smokedthreeorfourcigars。Hewascontentandmiserable，lyingthere，hearingthesemelodieswhichdefinedtohimhisownaffairs。

Atdawntheywereatthelittleport。First，inthecarmineandgreytintsfromasleepysun，theycouldseelittlemobsofsoldiersworkingamidboxesofstores。Andthenfromthebackinsomedunandgreenhillssoundedadeep-throatedthunderofartilleryAnofficergaveColemanandhisdragomanpositionsinoneofthefirstboats，butofcourseitcouldnotbedonewithoutanalmostendlessamountofpalaver。Eventuallytheylandedwiththeirtraps。Colemanfeltthroughthesoleofhisboothisfootupontheshore。Hewaswithinstrikingdistance。

ButhereitwassmittenintotheheadofColeman"sservanttoturnintothemostinefficientdragoman，probablyintheentireEast。Colemandiscerneditimmediately，beforeanyblundercouldtellhim。Heatfirstthoughtthatitwasthevoicesofthegunswhichhadmadeachillyinsidefortheman，butwhenhereflectedupontheincompetency，orchildishcourier"sfalsity，atPatrasandhisdiscerniblelackofsensefromAgriniononward，hefeltthatthefaultwaselementalinhisnature。Itwasamerebasicinabilitytofrontnovelsituationswhichwassomehowinthedragoman；heretreatedfromeverythingdifficultinasmokeofgibberishandgesticulation。Colemanglaredathimwiththehatredthatsometimesensueswhenbreedmeetsbreed，buthesawthatthismanwasindeedagoldenlinkinhispossiblesuccess。ThismanconnectedhimwithGreeceanditslanguage。Ifhedestroyedhimhedelayedwhatwasnowhismaindesireinlife。

However，thistruthdidnotpreventhimfromaddressingthemaninelegantspeech。

ThetwolittlemenwhowereinducedtocarryColeman"sluggageasfarastheGreekcampwerereallyprocuredbythecorrespondenthimself，whopantominedvigourouslyandwithunmistakablevividness。Followedbyhisdragomanandthetwolittlemen，hestrodeoffalongaroadwhichledstraightasasticktowherethegunswereatintervalsbooming。Meanwhilethedragomanandthetwolittlementalked，talked，talked-

Colemanwassilent，puffinghiscigarandreflectingupontheoddthingswhichhappentochivalryinthemodernage。

Heknewofmanymenwhowouldhavebeenastonishediftheycouldhaveseenintohismindatthattime，andheknewofmanymoremenwhowouldhavelaughediftheyhadthesameprivilegeofsight。Hemadenoattempttoconcealfromhimselfthatthewholethingwasromantic，romanticdespitethelittletinklingdog，thedecrepitdiligence，thepalaveringnatives，thesuper-idioticdragoman。Itwasfine，Itwasfromanotherageandeventheactorscouldnotdefacethepurityofthepicture。Howeveritwastruethatuponthebrigantinethepreviousnighthehadunaccountablywettedallhisavailablematches。Thiswasmomentous，important，crueltruth，butColeman，afterall，wastaking-aswellashecouldforgetasolemnandknightlyjoyofthisadventureandtherewereasmanyportraitsofhisladyenvisioning。beforehimaseverheldtheheartofanarmour-encasedyounggentlemanofmedievalpoetry。Ifhehadbeentravellinginthisregionasanordinarytourist，hewouldhavebeenapparentmainlyforhisloftyimpatienceovertrifles，butnowtherewasinhimapositiveassertionofdirectionwhichwasundoubtedlyoneofthereasonsforthedespairoftheaccomplisheddragoman。

Beforethemthecountryslowlyopenedandopened，thestraightwhiteroadalwayspiercingitlikealanceshaft。Soontheycouldseeblackmassesofmenmarkingthegreenknolls。

Theartillerythunderedloudlyandnowvibratedaugustlythroughtheair。Colemanquickenedhispace，tothedespairofthelittlemencarryingthetraps。TheyfinallycameupwithoneoftheseblackbodiesofmenandfoundittobecomposedofaconsiderablenumberofsoldierswhowereidlywatchingsomehospitalpeopleburyadeadTurk。Thedragomanatoncedashedforwardtopeerthroughthethrongandseethefaceofthecorpse。

ThenhecameandsupplicatedColemanasifhewerehawkinghimtolookatarelicandColemanmovedbyastrong，mysteriousimpulse，wentforwardtolookatthepoorlittleclay-colouredbody。Atthatmomentasnakeranoutfromatuftofgrassathisfeetandwriggledwildlyoverthesod。Thedragomanshrieked，ofcourse，butoneofthesoldiersputhisheelupontheheadofthereptileanditflungitselfintotheagonisingknotofdeath。

Thenthewholecrowdpowwowed，turningfromthedeadmantothedeadsnake。Colemansignaledhiscontingentandproceededalongtheroad。

Thisincident，thisparagraph，hadseemedastrangeintroductiontowar。Thesnake，thedeadman，theentiresketch，madehimshudderofitself，butmorethananythinghefeltanuncannysymbolism。Itwasnodoubtamereoccurrence；

nothingbutanoccurrence；butinasmuchasallthedetailofthisdailylifeassociateditselfwithMarjory，hefeltadifferenthorror。Hehadthoughtofthelittledevil-dogandMarjoryinaninterwovenway。SupposingMarjoryhadbeenridinginthediligencewiththedevil-dog-a-top？Whatwouldshehavesaid？

Ofherfundofexpressions，afunduncountable，whichwouldshehaveinnocentlyprojectedagainstthebackgroundoftheGreekhills？Wouldithavesmittenhernervesbadlyorwouldshehavelaughed？AndsupposingMarjorycouldhaveseenhiminhisnewkhakiclothescursinghisdragomanashelistenedtothedevil-dog？

AndnowheinterwovehismemoryofMarjorywithadeadmanandwithasnakeinthethroesoftheendoflife。Theycrossed，intersected，tangled，thesetwothoughts。Heperceiveditclearly；theincongruityofit。Heacademicallyreflecteduponthemysteriesofthehumanmind，thishomelessmachinewhichliveshereandthenthereandoftenlivesintwoorthreeopposingplacesatthesameinstant。Hedecidedthattheincidentofthesnakeandthedeadmanhadnomoremeaningthanthegreaternumberofthethingswhichhappentousinourdailylives。Neverthelessitboreuponhim。

Onaspreadofplaintheysawaforcedrawnupinalongline。

Itwasaflagrantinkystreakontheverdantprairie。Fromsomewherenearitsoundedthetimedreverberationsofguns。

ThebriskwalkofthenexttenminuteswasactuallyexcitingtoColeman。Hecouldnotbutreflectthatthosegunswerebeingfiredwithseriouspurposeatcertainhumanbodiesmuchlikehisown。

Astheydrewnearertheysawthattheinkystreakwascomposedofcavalry，thetroopersstandingattheirbridles。Thesunlightflicked，upontheirbrightweapons。Nowthedragomandevelopedinoneofhisextraordinarydirections。Heannouncedforsooththatanintimatefriendwasacaptainofcavalryinthiscommand。Colemanatfirstthought。thatthiswassomekindofmysteriouslie，butwhenhearrivedwheretheycouldhearthestampingofhoofs，theclankofweapons，andthemurmurofmen，behold，amostdashingyoungofficergaveashoutofjoyandheandthedragomanhurledthemselvesintoamadembrace。Afterthisfirstecstacywasover，thedragomanbethoughthimofhisemployer，andlookingtowardColemanhastilyexplainedhimtotheofficer。Thelatter，itappeared，wasveryaffableindeed。Muchhadhappened。TheGreeksandtheTurkshadbeenfightingoverashallowpartoftherivernearlyoppositethispointandtheGreekshaddrivenbacktheTurksandsucceededinthrowingabridgeofcasksandplankingacrossthestream。Itwasnowthedutyandthedelightofthisforceofcavalrytocrossthebridgeand，passing，thelittleforceofcoveringGreekinfantry，toproceedintoTurkeyuntiltheycameintouchwiththeenemy。

Coleman"seyesdilated。Waseverfatelessperverse？PartlyinwretchedFrenchtotheofficerandpartlyinidiomaticEnglishtothedragoman，heproclaimedhisfierydesiretoaccompanytheexpedition。Theofficerimmediatelybeameduponhim。Infact，hewasdelighted。ThedragomanhadnaturallytoldhimmanyfalsehoodsconcerningColeman，incidentallyreferringtohimselfmoreasaphilanthropicguardianand，valuablefriendofthecorrespondentthanas，aplain，unvarnished。dragomanwithanexceedinglygoodeyeforthefinancialpossibilitiesofhisposition。

ColemanwantedtoaskhisservantiftherewasanychanceofthescouttakingthemnearNikopolis，buthedelayedbeinginformeduponthispointuntilsuchtimeashecouldfindout，secretly，forhimself。Toaskthedragomanwouldbemerestupidquestioningwhichwouldsurelymaketheanimalshy。HetriedtobecontentthatfatehadgivenhimthisearlyopportunityofdealingwithaMedievalsituationwithsomeshowofproperform；thatistosay，armed，a-horse-back，andindanger。Thenhecouldfeelthattothegodsofthegamehewasnotlaughable，aswhenherodetorescuehisloveinadiligencewithadevil-

dogyelpinga-top。

Withsomeflourish，theyoungcaptainpresentedhimtothemajorwhocommandedthecavalry。Thisofficerstoodwithhislegswideapart，eatingtherindofafreshlemonandtalkingbetimestosomeofhisofficers。ThemajoralsobeameduponColemanwhenthecaptainexplainedthatthegentlemaninthedistinguished-lookingkhakiclotheswishedtoaccompanytheexpedition。HeatoncesaidthathewouldprovidetwotroophorsesforColemanandthedragoman。Colemanthankedfateforhisbehaviourandhissatisfactionwasnotwithoutavestigeofsurprise。Atthattimehejudgedittobearemarkableamiabilityofindividuals，butinlateryearshecametobelieveincertainlawswhichhedeemedexistentsolelyforthebenefitofwarcorrespondents。Inthemindsofgovernments，warofficesandgeneralstheyhavenofunctionsaveoneofdisturbance，butColemandeemeditproventhatthecommonmen，andmanyuncommonmen，whentheygoawaytothefightingground，outofthesight，outofthehearingoftheworldknowntothem，andareeagertoperformfeatsofwarinthisnewplace，theyfeelanabsolutelongingforaspectator。Itisindeedtheveritablecoronationofthisworld。Thereisnottoomuchvanityofthestreetinthisdesireofmentohavesomedisinterestedfellowsperceivetheirdeeds。Itismerelythatamandoinghisbestinthemiddleofaseaofwar，longstohavepeopleseehimdoinghisbest。Thisfeelingisoftennotablyseriousif，inpeace，amanhasdonehisworst，orpartofhisworst。Colemanbelievedthat，aboveeverybody，young，proudandbravesubalternshadthisitch，butitexisted，trulyenough，fromlieutenantstocolonels。

Nonewantedtoconcealfromhislefthandthathisrighthandwasperformingamanlyandvaliantthing，althoughtheremightbetimeswhenanapplicationoftheprinciplewouldbeimmenselyconvenient。Thewarcorrespondentarises，then，tobecomeasortofacheaptelescopeforthepeopleathome；

furtherstill，therehavebeenfightswheretheeyesofasolitarymanweretheeyesoftheworld；onespectator，whosebusinessitwastotransfer，accordingtohisability，hisvisualimpressionstootherminds。

Colemanandhisservantwereconductedtotwosaddledtroophorses，andbesidethem，waiteddecentlyintherearoftheranks。Theuniformofthetrooperswasofplain，darkgreenclothandtheywerewellandsensiblyequipped。Themounts，however，hadinnowaybeenpicked；therewerelittlehorsesandbighorses，fathorsesandthinhorses。Theylookedtheresultofawildconscription。Colemannotedthefacesofthetroopers，andtheywerecalmenoughsavewhenamanbetrayedhimselfbyperhapsadisproportionateangryjerkatthebridleofhisrestivehorse。

Themajor，artisticallydroopinghiscloakfromhisleftshoulderandtenderlyandmusinglyfingeringhislongyellowmoustache，rodeslowlytothemiddleofthelineandwheeledhishorsetofacehismen。Abuglecalledattention，andthenheaddressedtheminaloudandrapidspeech，whichdidnotseemtohaveanend。ColemanimaginedthatthemajorwaspayingtributetotheGreektraditionofthepoweroforatory。Againthetrumpetrangout，andthisparadefrontswungoffintocolumnformation。ThenColemanandthedragomantrottedatthetailofthesquadron，restrainingwithdifficultytheirhorses，whocouldnotunderstandtheirnewplacesintheprocession，andworkedfeverishlytoregainwhattheyconsideredtheirpositionsinlife。

Thecolumnjangledmusicallyoverthesod，passingbetweentwohillsononeofwhichaGreeklightbatterywasposted。Itsmenclimbedtothetopsoftheirinterenchmentstowitnessthegoingofthecavalry。Thenthecolumncurvedalongoverditchandthroughhedgetotheshallowsoftheriver。AcrossthisnarrowstreamwasTurkey。Turkey，however，presentednothingtotheeyebutamuddybankwithfringesoftreesbackofit。Itseemedtobeagreatplainwithsparsecollectionsoffoliagemarkingit，whereastheGreekside，presentedinthemainavistaofhigh，gauntrocks。Perhapsoneofthefirsteffectsofwaruponthemind，isa。newrecognitionandfearofthecircumscribedabilityoftheeye，makingalllandscapeseeminscrutable。Thecavalrydrewupinplatoonformationontheirown。bankofthestreamandwaited。IfColemanhadknownanythingofwar，hewouldhaveknown，fromappearances，thattherewasnothingintheimmediatevicinityto，causeheart-

jumping，butasamatteroftruthhewasdeeplymovedandwonderedwhatwashidden，whatwasveiledbythosetrees。

Moreover，thesquadronsresembledartoldpictureofabodyofhorseawaitingNapoleon"sordertocharge。Inthe，meantimehismountfumedatthebit，plungingtogetbacktotheranks。Theskywas，withoutacloud，andthesunrayssweptdownuponthem。SometimesColemanwasonthevergeofaddressingthedragoman，accordingtohisanxiety，butintheendhesimplytoldhimtogototheriverandfillthecan-teens。

Atlastanordercame，andthefirsttroopmovedwithmuffledtumultacrossthebridge。Colemanandhisdragomanfollowedthelasttroop。Thehorsesscrambledupthemuddybankmuchasiftheyweremerelybreakingoutofapasture，butprobablyallthemenfeltasuddentighteningoftheirmuscles。Coleman，inhisexcitement，felt，morethanhesaw，glossyhorseflanks，green-clothedmenchumpingintheirsaddles，bangingsabresandcanteens，andcarbinesslantedinline。

ThereweresomeGreekinfantryinatrench。Theywereheavilyovercoated，despitetheheat，andsomewereengagedineatingloavesofround，thickbread。Theycalledoutlustilyasthecavalrypassedthem。Thetrooperssmiledslowly，somewhatproudlyinresponse。

PresentlytherewasanotherhaltandColemansawthemajortrottingbusilyhereandthere，whiletroopcommandersrodeouttomeethim。Spreadinggroupsofscoutsandflankersmovedoffanddisappeared。Theirdashingyoungofficerfriendcanteredpastthemwithhistroopathisheels。Hewavedajoyfulgood-

bye。Itwasthedoingsofcavalryinactualservice，horsemenfanningoutinallforwarddirections。Thereweretwotroopsheldinreserve，andastheyjangledaheadatafootpace，Colemanandhisdragomanfollowedthem。

Thedragomanwasnowmovedtoerectmanyreasonsforanimmediatereturn。Itwasplainthathehadnostomachatallforthisbusiness，andthathewishedhimselfsafelybackontheothersideoftheriver。Colemanlookedathimaskance。WhenthesementalkedtogetherColemanmightaswellhavebeenapolarbearforallheunderstoodofit。Whenhesawthetrepidationofhisdragoman，hedidnotknowwhatitforeboded。

Inthissituationitwasnotforhimtosaythatthedragoman"sfearswerefoundedonnothing。Andeverthedragomanraisedhisreasonsforaretreat。Colemanspoketohimself。"Iamjustatriflerattled，"hesaidtohisheart，andafterhehadcommunedforatimeuponthedutyofsteadiness，headdressedthedragomanincoollanguage。"Now，mypersuasivefriend，justquitallthat，becausebusinessisbusiness，anditmayberatherannoyingbusiness，butyouwillhavetogothroughwithit。"

Longafterward，whenruminatingoverthefeelingsofthatmorning，hesawwithsomeastonishmentthattherewasnotasinglethingwithinsoundorsighttocausearationalbeinganyquaking。Hewassimplyridingwithsomesoldiersoveravasttree-dottedprairie。

Presentlythecommandingofficerturnedinhissaddleandtoldthedragomanthathewasgoingtorideforwardwithhisorderlytowherehecouldseetheflankingpartiesandthescouts，andcourteously，withthemannerofagentlemanentertainingtwoguests，heaskedifthecivilianscaredtoaccompanyhim。ThedragomanwouldnothavepassedthisquestioncorrectlyontoColemanifhehadthoughthecouldhaveavoidedit，but，withbothmenregardinghim，heconsideredthatalieprobablymeantinstantdetection。

Hespokealmostthetruth，contentinghimselfwithmerelycommunicatingtoColemaninasubtlewayhissensethatarideforwardwiththecommandingofficerandhisorderlywouldbedepressinganddangerousoccupation。ButColemanimmediatelyacceptedtheinvitationmainlybecauseitwastheinvitationofthemajor，andinwaritisabravemanwhocanrefusetheinvitationofacommandingofficer。Thelittlepartyoffourtrottedawayfromthereserves，curvinginsinglefileaboutthewater-holes。Intimetheyarrivedatwheretheplainlackedtreesandwasonegreatgreenlakeofgrass；grassandscrubs。

OnthisexpansetheycouldseetheGreekhorsemenriding，mainlyappearingaslittleblackdots。Fartothelefttherewasasquadsaidtobecomposedofonlytwentytroopers，butinthedistancetheirblackmassseemedtobearegiment。

Astheofficerandhisguestsadvancedtheycameinviewofwhatonemaycalltheshoreoftheplain。Theriseofgroundwasheavilycladwithtrees，andoverthetopsofthemappearedthecupolaandpartofthewallsofalargewhitehouse，andtherewereglimpsesofhutsnearitasifavillagewasmarked。Theblackspecksseemedtobealmosttoit。Themajorgallopedforwardandtheothersfollowedathispace。Thehousegrewlargerandlargerandtheycamenearlytotheadvancescoutswhotheycouldnowseewerenotquiteclosetothevillage。Therehadbeenadeceptionoftheeyepreciselyasoccursatsea。Herdsofunguardedsheepdriftedovertheplainandlittleownerlesshorses，stillcruellyhobbled，leapedpainfullyaway，frightened，asiftheyunderstoodthatananarchyhadcomeuponthem。Thepartyrodeuntiltheywereverynearlyupwiththescouts，andthenfromlowdownattheveryedgeoftheplaintherecamealongrattlingnoisewhichenduredasifsomekindofgrindingmachinehadbeenputinmotion。Smokearose，faintlymarkingthepositionofanintrenchment。Sometimesaswiftspittingcouldbeheardfromtheairovertheparty。

ItwasColeman"sfortunetothinkatfirstthattheTurkswerenotfiringinhisdirection，butassoonasheheardtheweirdvoicesintheairheknewthatwarwasuponhim。Butitwasplainthattherangewasalmostexcessive，plaineventohisignorance。Themajorlookedathimandlaughed；hefoundnodifficultyinsmilinginresponse。Ifthiswaswar，itcouldbewithstoodsomehow。Hecouldnotatthistimeunderstandwhatameretriflewasthepresentincident。Hefeltuponhischeekalittlebreezewhichwasmovingthegrass-blades。Hehadtiedhiscanteeninawrongplaceonthesaddleandeverytimethehorsemovedquicklythecanteenbangedthecorrespondent，tohisannoyanceanddistress，forciblyontheknee。Hehadforgottenabouthisdragoman，buthappeningtolookuponthatfaithfulservitor，hesawhimgonewhitewithhorror。Abulletatthatmomenttwangednearhisheadandtheslavetofearduckedinaspasm。

Colemancalledtheorderly"sattentionandtheybothlaugheddiscreetly。Theymadenopretensionofbeingheroes，buttheysawplainlythattheywerebetterthanthisman。

Colemansaidtohim:"HowfarisitnowtoNikopolis？"Thedragomanrepliedonly，withalookofagonizedimpatience。

ButofcoursetherewasnogoingtoNikopolisthatday。Theofficerhadadvancedhismenasfaraswasintendedbyhissuperiors，andpresentlytheywereallrecalledandtrottedbacktothebridge。Theycrossedittotheiroldcamp。

AnimportantpartofColeman"strapswasbackwithhisAthenianhorsesandtheirgroom，butwithhispresentequipmenthecouldatleastliesmokingonhisblanketsandwatchthedragomanpreparefood。ButhereflectedthatforthatdayhehadonlyattainedthesimplediscoverythattheapproachtoNikopoliswassurroundedwithdifficulties。

CHAPTERX。

ThesameafternoonColemanandthedragomanrodeuptoArtaontheirborrowedtroophorses。Thecorrespondentfirstwenttothetelegraphofficeandfoundtheretheusualnumberofdespairingclerks。Theywereoutragedwhentheyfoundhewasgoingtosendmessagesandthoughtitpreposterousthatheinsisteduponlearningiftherewereanyintheofficeforhim。

Theyhadtroubleenoughwithendlessofficialcommunicationswithoutbeinghoundedaboutprivateaffairsbyaconfidentyoungmaninkhaki。ButColemanatlastunearthedsixcablegramswhichcollectivesaidthattheEclipsewonderedwhytheydidnothearfromhim，thatWalkleyhadbeenrelievedfromdutyinLondonandsenttojointhearmyofthecrownprince，thatyoungPoint，theartist，hadbeenshippedtoGreece，thatifhe，Coleman，succeededinfindingtheWainwrightpartythepaperwaspreparedtomakeatremendousuproarofacelebrationoveritand，finally，thepaperwonderedtwicemorewhytheydidnothearfromhim。

WhenColemanwentforthtoenquireifanybodyknewofthewhereaboutsoftheWainwrightpartyhethoughtfirstofhisfellowcorrespondents。Hefoundmostoftheminacafewherewastobehadabouttheonlyfoodinthesoldier-ladentown。Itwasaslothfuldenwhereevenanordinaryboiledeggcouldbemadeunpalatable。Suchacommonmatterasthesaltmenwatchedwithgreedandsuspicionasiftheywerealwaysabouttograbitfromeachother。Theproprietor，inadirtyshirt，couldalwaysbeheardwhining，evidentlytellingtheworldthathewasbeingabused，buthehadspiritenoughremainingtochargethreepricesforeverythingwithanalmostJewishfluency。

Thecorrespondentsconsoledthemselveslargelyuponblack-

breadandthenativewines。Alsotherewerecertainlittleoiledfishes，andsomegreenoddsandendsforsalads。ThecorrespondentswerepracticallyallEnglishmen。SomeofthemwereveteransofjournalismintheSudan，inIndia，inSouthAfrica；andtherewereotherswhoknewasmuchofwarastheycouldlearnbysittingatadeskandeditingtheLondonstockreports。Somewereontheirownhook；somehadhorsesanddragomenandsomehadneithertheonenortheother；manyknewhowtowriteandafewhadityettolearn。Thethingincommonwasaspiritofadventurewhichfoundpleasureintheextraordinarybusinessofseeinghowmenkilleachother。

TheyweretalkingofanartilleryduelwhichhadbeenfoughtthepreviousdaybetweentheGreekbatteriesabovethetownandtheTurkishbatteriesacrosstheriver。Colemantookseatatoneofthelongtables，andtheastutedragomangotsomebodyinthestreettoholdthehorsesinorderthathemightbepresentatanyfeasting。

OneoftheexperiencedcorrespondentswasremarkingthatthefireoftheGreekbatteriesintheengagementhadbeenthefinestartillerypracticeofthecentury。Hespokealittleloudly，perhaps，inthewistfulhopethatsomeoftheGreekofficerswouldunderstandenoughEnglishtofollowhismeaning，foritisalwaysgoodforacorrespondenttoadmiretheprowessonhisownsideofthebattlefield。AfteratimeColemanspokeinalull，anddescribingthesupposedmisfortunesoftheWainwrightparty，askedifanyonehadnewsofthem。Thecorrespondentsweresurprised；theyhadnoneofthemheardevenoftheexistenceofaWainwrightparty。Alsononeofthemseemedtocareexceedingly。TheconversationsoonchangedtoadiscussionoftheprobableresultofthegeneralGreekadvanceannouncedforthemorrow。

ColemansilentlycommentedthatthisremarkableappearanceofindifferencetothemishapoftheWainwrights，alittleparty，asinglegroup，wasabetterdefinitionofarealconditionofwarthanthatbitoflong-rangemusketryofthemorning。Hetookacertaindespatchoutofhispocketandagainreadit。"FindWainwrightpartyatallhazards；muchtalkhere；successmeansredfirebyton。Eclipse。"Itwasanimportantmatter。HecouldimaginehowtheAmericanpeople，vibratingforyearstostoriesofthecrueltyoftheTurk，wouldtremble-indeed，wasnowtrembling-whilethenewspapershowledoutthedirepossibilities。Hesawallthekindsofpeople，fromthosewhowouldreadtheWainwrightchaptersfromdaytodayasasortofsensationalnovel，tothosewhowouldworkupagentlesympathyforthewoeofothersaroundthetableintheevenings。Hesawbarkeepersandpolicementakingahighgallerythrilloutofthiskindofromance。HesaweventheemotionamongAmericancollegesoverthetragedyofaprofessorandsomestudents。Itcertainlywasabigaffair。Marjoryofcoursewaseverythinginoneway，butthat，totheworld，wasnotabigaffair。ItwastheromanceoftheWainwrightpartyinitssimplicitythattotheAmericanworldwasarousinggreatsensation；onethatintheolddayswouldhavemadehisheartleaplikeacolt。

Still，whenbatterieshadfoughteachothersavagely，andhorse，footandgunswerenowabouttomakeageneraladvance，itwasdifficult，hecouldsee，tostirmentothinkandfeeloutofthepresentzoneofaction；toadoptforatimeinfactthethoughtsandfeelingsoftheothersideoftheworld。ItmadeColemandejectedashesawclearlythatthetaskwaswhollyonhisownshoulders。

Ofcoursetheyweremenwhowhenathomemanifestedthemostgentleandwide-reachingfeelings；mostofthemcouldnotbyanypossibilityhaveslappedakittenmerelyfortheprankandyetallofthemwhohadseenanunknownmanshotthroughtheheadinbattlehadlittlemoretothinkofitthanifthemanhadbeenarag-baby。Tendertheymightbe；

poetstheymightbe；buttheywereallhornedwithaprovisional，temporary，butabsolutelyessentialcallousewhichwasformedbytheirexistenceamidwarwithitsqualityofmakingthemalwaysthinkofthesightsandsoundsconcealedintheirowndirectfuture。

Theyhadbeensimplypolite。"Yes？"saidonetoColeman。

"Howmanypeopleintheparty？AretheyallAmericans？Oh，I

supposeitwillbequiteright。YourministerinConstantinoplewillarrangethateasily。Wheredidyousay？AtNikopolis？

Well，weconcludethattheTurkswillmakenostandbetweenhereandPentepigadia。InthatcaseyourNikopoliswillbeuncoveredunlessthegarrisonatPrevasaintervenes。ThatgarrisonatPrevasa，bytheway，maymakeadealoftrouble。

RememberPlevna。"

"ExactlyhowfarisittoNikopolis？"askedColeman。

"Oh，Ithinkitisaboutthirtykilometers，"repliedtheothers。"ThereisagoodmiltaryroadassoonasyoucrosstheLourosriver。I"vegotthemapoftheAustriangeneralstaff。

Wouldyouliketolookatit？"

Colemanstudiedthemap，speedingwithhiseyerapidlytoandfrobetweenArtaandNikopolis。Tohimitwasmerelyabrownlithographofmystery，buthecouldstudythedistances。

Hehadreceivedacordialinvitationfromthecom-

manderofthecavalrytogowithhimforanotherrideintoTurkey，andheinclinedtobelievethathisprojectwouldbefurtheredifhestuckclosetothecavalry。Soherodebacktothecavalrycampandwentpeacefullytosleeponthesod。Heawokeinthemorningwithchatteringteethtofindhisdragomansayingthatthemajorhadunaccountablywithdrawnhisloanofthetwotroophorses。Colemanofcourseimmediatelysaidtohimselfthatthedragomanwaslyinga-gaininordertopreventanotherexpeditionintoominousTurkey，butafterallifthecommander，ofthecavalryhadsuddenlyturnedthelightofhisfavourfromthecorrespondentitwasonlyaproceedingconsistentwiththenaturewhichColemannowthoughthewasbeginningtodiscern，anaturewhichcanneverthinktwiceinthesameplace，agageousmindwhichdrifts，dissolves，combines，vanisheswiththeabilityofanaerialthinguntilthemanofthenorthfeelsthatwhenheclutchesitwithfullknowledgeofhissensesheisonlythevictimofhisardentimagination。Itisthedifferenceinstandards，increeds，whichisthemoreluminouswhenmencalloutthattheyareallalike。

SoColemanandhisdragomanloadedtheirtrapsandmovedouttoagaininvadeTurkey。Itwasnotyetcleardaylight，buttheyfeltthattheymightwellstartearlysincetheywerenolongermountedmen。

Onthewaytothebridge，thedragoman，althoughhewascuriouslyinlovewithhisfortyfrancsadayandhisopportunities，venturedastoutprotest，basedapparentlyuponthefactthatafterallthisforeigner，fourdaysoutfromAthenswassomewhatathismercy。"MeesterColeman，"hesaid，stoppingsuddenly，"Ithinkwemakenogoodifwegothere。

MuchbetterwewaitArtaforourhorse。Muchbetter。Ithinkthisnogood。ThereiscomingonebigfightandIthinkmuchbetterwegostayArta。Muchbetter。"

"Oh，comeoff，"saidColeman。Andinclearlanguagehebegantolabourwiththeman。"Lookhere，now，ifyouthinkyouareengagedinsteeringabunchofwooden-headedguysabouttheAcropolis，mydearpartnerofmyjoysandsorrows，youareextremelymistaken。Asamatteroffactyouarenowthedragomanofawarcorrespondentandyouwereengagedandarepaidtobeone。Itbecomesnecessarythatyoumakegood。

Makegood，doyouunderstand？I"mnotoutheretobebuncoedbythissortofgame。"HecontinuedindefinitelyinthisstrainandatintervalsheaskedsharplyDoyouunderstand？

PerhapsthedragomanwasdumbfoundedthatthelaconicColemancouldonoccasiontalksomuch，orperhapsheunderstoodeverythingandwasimpressedbytheargumentativepower。Atanyratehesuddenlywilted。Hemadeagesturewhichwasaprotestationofmartyrdomandpickinguphisburdenproceededonhisway。