第5章

Whentheyreachedthebridge，theysawstrongcolumnsofGreekinfantry，deadblackinthedimlight，crossingthestreamandslowlydeployingontheothershore。Itwasabracingsighttothedragoman，whothenwentintooneofhisabsurdbabblingmoods，inwhichhewouldhavetalkedtheheadoffanymanwhowasnotborninacountrylavedbythechildishMediterranean。Colemancouldnotunderstandwhathesaidtothesoldiersastheypassed，butitwasevidentlyallgrandiosenonsense。

Twolightbatterieshadprecariouslycrossedthericketybridgeduringthenight，andnowthisforceofseveralthousandinfantry，withthetwobatteries，wasmovingoutovertheterritorywhichthecavalryhadreconnoiteredonthepreviousday。ThegroundbeingfamiliartoColeman，henolongerknewatremour，and，regardinghisdragoman，hesawthatthatinvaluableservitorwasalsoinbetterform。Theymarcheduntiltheyfoundoneofthelightbatteriesunlimberedandalignedonthelakeofgrassaboutamilefromwherepartsofthewhitehouseappearedabovethetree-tops。Herethedragomantalkedwiththecaptainofartillery，atinymanonanimmensehorse，whoforsomeunknownreasontoldhimthatthisforcewasgoingtoraidintoTurkeyandtrytoswingaroundtheopposingarmy"srightflank。Heannounced，asheshowedhisteethinasmile，thatitwouldbevery，verydangerouswork。ThedragomanprecipitatedhimselfuponColeman。

"Thisismuchdanger。ThecoptenhetellmethetrupsgonowinbackoftheTurks。Itwillbemuchdanger。IthinkmuchbetterwegoArtawaitforhorse。Muchbetter。"Coleman，althoughbebelievedhedespisedthedragoman，couldnothelpbutbeinfluencedbyhisfears。Theywere，sotospeak，inaroomwithonewindow，andonlythedragomanlookedforthfromthewindow，soifhesaidthatwhathesawoutsidefrightenedhim，Colemanwasperforcefrightenedalsoinameasure。Butwhenthecorrespondentraisedhiseyeshesawthecaptainofthebatterylookingathim，histeethstillshowinginasmile，asifhisinformation，whethertrueorfalse，hadbeengiventoconvincetheforeignerthattheGreekswereaverysuperiorandbravepeople，notablyonelittleofficerofartillery。HehadapparentlyassumedthatColemanwouldbalkfromventuringwithsuchaforceuponanexcursiontotriflewiththerearofahardfightingOttomanarmy。Heexceedinglydislikedthatman，sittingupthereonhistallhorseandgrinninglikeacruellittleapewithasecret。Intruth，Colemanwastakenbackattheoutlook，buthecouldnomorerefrainfrominstantlyacceptingthishalf-concealedchallengethanhecouldhaverefrainedfromresentinganordinaryformofinsult。Hismindwasnotatpeace，butthesmallvanitiesareverylarge。Hewasperfectlyawarethathewas，beingmisledintothethingbyanoddpride，butanyhow，iteasilymightturnouttobeastrokeuponthedoorsofNikopolis。Henoddedandsmiledattheofficeringratefulacknowledgmentofhisservice。

Theinfantrywasmovingsteadilya-field。Blackblocksofmenweretrailingincolumnslowlyovertheplain。Theywerenotunlikethebacksofdominoesonagreenbaizetable；theyweresovivid，sostartling。Thecorrespondentandhisservantfollowedthem。Eventuallytheyovertooktwocompaniesincommandofacaptain，whoseemedimmenselygladtohavethestrangerswithhim。Astheymarched，thecaptainspokethroughthedragomanuponthevirtuesofhismen，announcingwithothernewsthefactthathisfirstsergeantwasthebravestmanintheworld。

Anumberofcolumnsweremovingacrosstheplainparalleltotheirlineofmarch，andthewholeforceseemedtohaveorderstohaltwhentheyreachedalongditchaboutfourhundredyardsfromwheretheshoreoftheplainarosetotheluxuriantgroveswiththecupolaofthebigwhitehousestickingabovethem。Thesoldierslayalongtheditch，andthebravestmanintheworldspreadhisblanketonthegroundforthecaptain，Colemanandhimself。DuringalongpauseColemantriedtoelucidatethequestionofwhytheGreeksoldiersworeheavyovercoats，eveninthebitterheatofmidday，buthecouldonlylearnthatthedews，whentheycame，wereverydestructivetothelungs，Further，heconvincedhimselfanewthattalkingthroughaninterpretertothemindsofothermenwasassatisfactoryaslookingatlandscapethroughastainedglasswindow。

Afteratimetherewas，infront，astirnearwhereacurioushedgeofdrybramblesseemedtooutlinesomesortofagardenpatch。Manyofthesoldiersexclaimedandraisedtheirguns。Butthereseemedtocomeageneralunderstandingtothelinethatitwaswrongtofire。Thenpresentlyintotheopencameadirtybrownfigure，andColemancouldseethroughhisglassesthatitsheadwascrownedwithadirtyfezwhichhadoncebeenwhite。ThisindicatedthatthefigurewasthatofoneoftheChristianpeasantsofEpirus。Obedienttothecaptain，thesergeantaroseandwavedinvitation。Thepeasantwavered，changedhismind，wasobviouslyterror-stricken，regainedconfidenceandthenbegantoadvancecircuitouslytowardtheGreeklines。Whenhearrivedwithinhailingdis-tance，thecaptain，thesergeant，Coleman"sdragomanandmanyofthesoldiersyelledhumanmessages，andamomentlaterhewasseentobeapoor，yellow-facedstriplingwithabodywhichseemedtohavebeenfirsttwistedbyanill-birthandafterwardmaimedbyeitherlabouroroppression，thesebeingoftenidenticalintheireffects。

HisreceptionoftheGreeksoldierywasnolessfervidthantheirwelcomeofhimtotheirprotection。Hethrewhisgrimyfezintheairandcroakedoutcheers，whiletearswethischeeks。

Whenhehadcomeupontherightsideoftheditchherancaperingamongthemandthecaptain，thesergeant，thedragomanandanumberofsoldiersreceivedwildembracesandkisses。HemadeadashatColeman，butColemanwasnowwaryinthegame，andretireddexterouslybehinddifferentgroupswithafinishedappearanceofnotnotingthattheyoungmanwishedtogreethim。

Behindthehedgeofdrybramblesthereweremoreindicationsoflife，andthepeasantstoodupandmadebeseechinggestures。SoonawholeflockofmiserablepeoplehadcomeouttotheGreeks，men，womenandchildren，incrudeandcomicsmocks，prancinghereandthere，uproariouslyembracingandkissingtheirdeliverers。Anold，tearful，toothlesshagflungherselfrapturouslyintothearmsofthecaptain，andColeman"sbrick-and-ironsoulwasmovedtoadmirationatthewayinwhichtheofficeradministeredachastesaluteuponthefurrowedcheek。ThedragomantoldthecorrespondentthattheTurkshadrunawayfromthevillageonupavalleytowardJannina。Everybodywasproudandhappy。

Amajorofinfantrycamefromtherearatthistimeandaskedthecaptaininsharptoneswhowerethetwostrangersincivilianattire。Whenthecaptainhadansweredcorrectlythemajorwasimmediatelymollified，andhaditannouncedtothecorrespondentthathisbattalionwasgoingtomoveimmediatelyintothevillage，andthathewouldbedelightedtohavehiscompany。

Themajorstrodeattheheadofhismenwiththegroupofvillagerssinginganddancingabouthimandlookinguponhimasifhewereagod。Colemanandthedragoman，attheofficer"srequest，marchedoneoneithersideofhim，andinthismannertheyenteredthevillage。Fromallsortsofhedgesandthickets，peoplecamecreepingouttopassintoadeliriumofjoy。Themajorborrowedthreelittlepackhorseswithrope-bridles，andthusmountedandfollowedbytheclankingcolumn，theyrodeonintriumph。

Itwasprobablymoreofatruefestivalthanmostmenexperienceeveninthelongestlifetime。ThemajorwithhisGreekinstinctofdramawasasplendidpersonificationofpoeticquality；infacthewashimselfalmostalyric。FromtimetotimeheglancedbackatColemanwitheyeshalfdimmedwithappreciation。

Thepeoplegatheredflowers，greatblossomsofpurpleandcorncolour。

Theysprinkledthemoverthethreehorsemenandflungthemdeliriouslyunderthefeetofthelittlenags。BeingnowmountedColemanhadnodifficultyinavoidingtheembracesofthepeasants，buthefelttothetipsofhistoesanabandonmenttoakindofpleasurewithwhichhewasnotatallfamiliar。Ridingthusamidcriesofthanksgivingaddressedathimequallywiththeothers，hefeltaburningvirtueandquitelosthisoldselfinanillusionofnoblebe。nignity。Andtherecontinuedthefragranthailofblossoms。

Miserablelittlehutsstraggledalongthesidesofthevillagestreetasiftheywerefollowingattheheelsofthegreatwhitehouseofthebey。Thecolumnproceedednorthward，announcinglaughinglytothegladvillagersthattheywouldneverseeanotherTurk。BeforethemontheroadwashereandthereafezfromtheheadofafledTurkishsoldierandtheylaylikedropsofbloodfromsomewoundedleviathan。Ultimatelyitgrewcloudy。Itevenrainedslightly。Inthemistydownfallthecolumnofsoldiersinbluewasdimasifitweremerelyalongtrailoflow-hungsmoke。

Theycametotheruinsofachurchandtherethemajorhaltedhisbattalion。Colemanworriedathisdragomantolearnifthehaltwasonlytemporary。Itwasalongtimebeforetherewasanswerfromthemajor，forhehaddrawnuphismeninplatoonsandwasaddressingtheminaspeechasinterminableasanythatColemanhadheardinGreece。Theofficerwavedhisarmsandroaredoutevidentlythegloriesofpatriotismandsoldierlyhonour，thegloriesoftheirancientpeople，andhemayhaveincludedanysubjectinthiswonderfulspeech，forthereasonthathehadplentyoftimeinwhichtodoit。Itwasimpossibletotellwhethertheorationwasagoodoneorbadone，becausethemenstoodintheirlooseplatoonswithoutdiscerniblefeelingsasiftothemthisappearedmerelyasoneoftheinevitableconsequencesofacampaign，anestablishedruleofwarfare。

Colemanateblackbreadandchocolatetabletswhilethedragomanhoverednearthemajorwiththeintentionofpouncinguponhimforinformationassoonashislungsyieldedtothestrainuponthem。

Thedragomanatlastreturnedwithaverylongverbaltreatisefromthemajor，whoapparentlyhadnotbeenasexhaustedafterhisspeechtothemenasonewouldthink。ThemajorhadsaidthathehadbeenorderedtohaltheretoformajunctionwithsomeofthetroopscomingdirectfromArta，andthatheexpectedthatinthemorningthearmywouldbedividedandonewingwouldchasetheretreatingTurksontowardJannina，whiletheotherwingwouldadvanceuponPrevasabecausetheenemyhadagarrisontherewhichhadnotretreatedaninch，and，althoughitwascutoff，itwasnecessarytosendeitheraforcetoholditinitsplaceoralargerforcetogothroughwiththebusinessofcapturingit。ElsetherewouldbeleftintherearoftheleftflankofaGreekadvanceuponJanninaabodyoftheenemywhichatanymomentmightbecomeactive。ThemajorsaidthathisbattalionwouldprobablyformpartoftheforcetoadvanceuponPrevasa。NikopoliswasontheroadtoPrevasaandonlythreemilesawayfromit。

CHAPTERXI。

ColemanspentalongafternooninthedrizzleEnvelopedinhismacintoshhesatonaboulderintheleeofoneoftheoldwallsandmoodilysmokedcigarsandlistenedtotheceaselessclatteroftongues。Arayoflightpenetratedthemindofthedragomanandhelabouredassiduouslywithwetfueluntilhehadaccomplishedatinmugofcoffee。Bitsofcinderfloatedinit，butColemanrejoicedandwaskindtothedragoman。

Thenightwasofcruelmonotony。Afflictedbythewindandthedarkness，thecorrespondentsatwithnerveskeyedhighwaitingtohearthepicketsopenfireonanightattack。Hewassounaccountablysurethattherewouldbeatumultandpanicofthiskindatsometimeofthenightthathepreventedhimselffromgettingareasonableamountofrest。Hecouldhearthesoldiersbreathinginsleepallabouthim。Hewishedtoarousethemfromthisslumberwhich，tohisignorance，seemedstupid。

ThequalityofmysteriousmenaceinthegreatgloomandthesilencewouldhavecausedhimtoprayifprayerwouldhavetransportedhimmagicallytoNewYorkandmadehimayoungmanwithnocoatplayingbilliardsathisclub。

Thechilldawncameatlastandwithafineelationwhicheverfollowsadismalnightinwar；anelationwhichboundsinthebosomassoonasdayhasknockedtheshacklesfromatremblingmind。AlthoughColemanhadsleptbutashorttimehewasnowasfreshasatotalabstainercomingfromthebath。Heheardthecreakofbatterywheels；hesawcrawlingbodiesofinfantrymovinginthedimlightlikeghostlyprocessions。Hefeltatremendousvirilitycomewiththisnewhopeinthedaylight。

Heagaintooksatis。factioninhissentimentaljourney。Itwasashiningaffair。Hewasonactiveservice，anactiveserviceoftheheart，andhe"feltthathewasastrongmanreadytoconquerdifficultyevenastheoldenheroesconquereddifficulty。Heimaginedhimselfinawaylikethem。He，too，hadcomeouttofightforlovewithgiants，dragonsandwitches。Hehadneverknownthathecouldbesopleasedwiththatkindofaparallel。

Thedragomanannouncedthatthemajorhadsuddenlylenttheirhorsestosomeotherpeople，andaftercursingthisversatilityofinterest，hesummonedhishenchmenandtheymovedoutonfoot，followingthesoundofthecreakingwheels。

Theycameintimetoabridge，andonthesideofthisbridgewasahardmilitaryroadwhichsprangawayintwodirections，northandwest。Sometroopswerecreepingoutthewestwardwayandthedragomanpointingatthemsaid:"TheygoingPrevasa。ThatisroadtoNikopolis。"

Colemangrinnedfromeartocarandslappedhisdragomanviolentlyontheshoulder。Foramomentheintendedtohandthemanalouisofreward，buthechangedhismind。

Theirtrapswereinthewayofbeingheavy，buttheymindedlittlesincethedragomanwasnowavictimoftheinfluenceofColeman"senthusiasm。Theroadwoundalongthebaseofthemountainrange，sheeringaroundtheabutmentsinwidewhitecurvesandthencirclingintoglenswhereimmensetreesspreadtheirshadeoverit。Someofthegreattrunkswereoppressedwithvinesgreenasgarlands，andthesevinesevenranlikeverdantfoamovertherocks。Streamsoftranslucentwatershowereddownfromthehills，andmadepoolsinwhicheverypebble，everyeafofawaterplantshonewithmagiclustre，andifthebottomofapoolwasonlyofclay，theclayglowedwithsapphirelight。Thedaywasfair。Thecountrywaspartofthatlandwhichturnedthemindsofitsancientpoetstowardamoretenderdreaming，sothatindeedtheirnymphswoulddie，oneissure，inthecoldmythologyofthenorthwithitsstormsamidthegloomofpineforests。ItwasallwinetoColeman"sspirit。Itenlivenedhimtothinkofsuccesswithabsolutesurety。Tobesureoneofhisbootsbegansoontorasphistoes，buthegaveitnoshareofhisattention。Theypassedatamuchfasterpacethanthetroops，andeverywheretheymetlaughterandconfidenceandthecry。"OntoPrevasa!"

Atmiddaytheywereattheheelsoftheadvancebattalion，amongitsstragglers，takingitswhitedustintotheirthroatsandeyes。ThedragomanwaswaningandhemadeanumberofattemptstostayColeman，butnoonecouldhavehadinfluenceuponColeman"ssteadyrushwithhiseyesalwaysstraighttothefrontasifthustosymbolizehissteadinessofpurpose。

Rivuletsofsweatmarkedthedustonhisface，andtwoofhistoeswerenowpainingasiftheywerebeingburnedoff。Hewasobligedtoconcedeaprivilegeoflimping，buthewouldnotstop。

Atnightfalltheyhaltedwiththeoutpostbatallionoftheinfantry。Allthecavalryhadinthemeantirnecomeupandtheysawtheiroldfriends。TherewasavillagefromwhichtheChristianpeasantscameandcheeredlikeatrainedchorus。

Soldiersweredrivingagreatflockoffatsheepintoacorral。

TheyhadbelongedtoaTurkishbeyandtheybleatedasiftheyknewthattheywerenowmerespoilsofwar。Colemanlayonthestepsofthebey"shousesmokingwithhisheadonhisblanketroll。Campfiresglowedoffinthefields。HewasnowaboutfourmilesfromNikopolis。

Withinthehouse，thecommanderofthecavalrywaswritingdispatches。Officersclankedupanddownthestairs。ThedashingyoungcaptaincameandsaidthattherewouldbeageneralassaultonPrevasaatthedawnofthenextday。Afterwardthedragomandescendeduponthevillageandinsomewaywrenchedalittlegreyhorsefromaninhabitant。Itspacksaddlewasonitsbackanditwouldveryhandilycarrythetraps。Inthismatterthedragomandidnotconsiderhismaster；heconsideredhisownsoreback。

Colemanatemorebreadandchocolatetabletsandalsosometinnedsardines。Hewascontentwiththeday"swork。Hedidnotseehowhecouldhaveimprovedit。TherewasonlyoneroutebywhichtheWainwrightpartycouldavoidhim，andthatwasbygoingtoPrevasaandthencetakingship。ButsincePrevasawasblockadedbyaGreekfleet，heconceivedthateventtobeimpossible。Hence，hehadthemhedgedonthispeninsulaandtheymustbeeitheratNikopolisorPrevasa。Hewouldprobablyknowallearlyinthemorning。Hereflectedthathewastootiredtocareiftheremightbeanightattackandthenwrappedinhisblanketshewentpeacefullytosleepinthegrassunderabigtreewiththecrooningofsomesoldiersaroundtheirfireblendingintohisslumber。

Andnow，althoughthedragomanhadperformedanumberoffeatsofincapacity，heachievedduringtheonehourofColeman"ssleepingablunderwhichforrealfinishwassimplyaperfectionofart。WhenColeman，muchlater，extractedthefullstory，itappearedthatringing。eventshappenedduringthatsinglehourofsleep。Tenminutesafterhehadlaindownforanightofoblivion，thebattalionofinfantry，whichhadadvancedalittlebeyondthevillage，wasrecalledandbeganahurriednightmarchbackonthewayithadsofestivelycome。Itwassignificantenoughtoappealtoalmostanymind，butthedragomanwasabletonotunderstandit。Heremainedjabberingtosomeacquaintancesamongthetroopers。Colemanhadbeenasleephishourwhenthedashingyoungcaptainperceivedthedragoman，andcompletelyhorrifiedbyhispresenceatthatplace，rantohimandwhisperedtohimswiftlythatthegamewastoflee，flee，flee。ThewingofthearmywhichhadadvancednorthwarduponJanninahadalreadybeentumbledbackbytheTurksandalltheotherwinghadbeenrecalledtotheLourosriverandtherewasnownothingpracticallybetweenhimandhissleepingmasterandtheenemybutacavalrypicket。Thecavalrywasimmediatelygoingtomakeaforcedmarchtotherear。Thestrickendragomancouldeventhenseetroopersgettingintotheirsaddles。He，rushedto，the，tree，andin。apanicsimplybundledColemanuponhisfeetbeforehewasawake。Hestutteredouthistale，andthedazed，correspondenthearditpunctuatedbythesteadytrampleoftheretiringcavalry。

Thedragomansawaman"sfacethenturninaflashfromanexpressionofluxuriousdrowsinesstoanexpressionofuttermalignancy。However，hewasintoomuchofahurrytobeafraidofit；heranofftothelittlegreyhorseandfrenziedlybutskilfullybegantobindthetrapsuponthepacksaddle。Heappearedinamomenttuggingatthehalter。Hecouldonlysay:"Come!Come!Come!Queek!Queek!"Theyslidhurriedlydownabanktotheroadandstartedtodoagainthatwhichtheyhadaccomplishedwithconsiderableexpenditureofphysicalpowerduringtheday。Thehoofbeatsofthecavalryhadalreadydiedawayandthemountainsshadowedtheminlonelysilence。Theyweretherearguardaftertherearguard。

Thedragomanmutteredhastilyhislastdirerumours。FivehundredCircassiancavalrywerecoming。ThemountainswerenowinfestedwiththedreadAlbanianirregulars，Colemanhadthoughtinhisdaylighttrampthathehadappreciatedthenobledistances，buthefoundthatheknewnothingoftheirnobilityuntilhetriedthisnightstumbling。Andthehoofsofthelittlehorsemadeonthehardroadmorenoisethancouldbemadebymenbeatingwithhammersuponbrazencylinders。Thecorrespondentglancedcontinuallyupatthecrags。Fromtheothersidehecouldsometimeshearthemetallicclinkofwaterdeepdowninaglen。Forthefirsttimeinhislifeheseriouslyopenedtheflapofhisholsterandlethisfingersremainonthehandleofhisrevolver。Fromjustinfrontofhimhecouldhearthechatteringofthedragoman"steethwhichnoattemptatmorecoolnesscouldseemtoprevent。InthemeantimethecasualmannerofthelittlegreyhorsestruckColemanwithmaddeningvividness。IftheblankdarknesswassimplyfilledwithferociousAlbanians，thehorsedidnotcareabutton；heleisurelyputhisfeetdownwitharesoundingring。

Colemanwhisperedhastilytothedragoman。"Iftheyrushus，jumpdownthebank，nomatterhowdeepitis。That"souronlychance。Andtrytokeeptogether。"

Alltheysawoftheuniversewas，infrontofthem，aplacefaintlyluminousneartheirfeet，butfadinginsixyardstothedarknessofadungeon。Thisrepre-

sentedthebrightwhiteroadofthedaytime。Ithadnoend。Colemanhadthoughtthathecouldtellfromtheveryfeeloftheairsomeofthelandmarksofhisdaytimejourney，buthehadnownosenseoflocationatall。Hewouldnothavedeniedthathewassquirmingonhisbellylikeawormthroughblackmud。

Theywentonandon。VisionsofhispastweresweepingthroughColeman"smindpreciselyastheyaresaidtosweepthroughthemindofadrowningperson。Buthehadnoregretforanybaddeeds；heregrettedmerelydistanthoursofpeaceandprotection。Hewasnolongeraherogoingtorescuehislove。Hewasaslavemakingagaspingattempttoescapefromthemostincredibletyrannyofcircumstances。HehalfvowedtohimselfthatiftheGodwhomhehadinnowiseheeded，wouldpermithimtocrawloutofthisslaveryhewouldneveragainventureayardtowardadangeranygreaterthanmaybeincurredfromthepoliceofamostpropermetropolis。Ifhisjuvenileandupliftingthoughtsofotherdayshadreproachedhimhewouldsimplyhaverepeatedandrepeated:

"Adventurebedamned。"

Itbecameknowntothemthatthehorsehadtobeled。Thedebasedcreaturewasassertingitsrighttodoasithadbeentrained，tofollowitscustoms；itwasassertingthisrightduringasituationwhichrequiredconductsuperiortoalltrainingandcustom。ItwassogrosslyconventionalthatColemanwouldhaveunderstoodthatdemoniacformofangerwhichsometimesleadsmentojabknivesintowarmbodies。Colemanfromcowardicetriedtoinducethedragomantogoaheadleadingthehorse，andthedragomanfromcowardicetriedtoinduceColemantogoaheadleadingthehorse。Colemanofcoursehadtosuccumb。Thedragomanwasonlygoodtowalkbehindandtearfullywhispermaledictionsasheproddedtheflanksoftheirtranquilbeast。

Intheabsoluteblackofthefrequentforests，Colemancouldnotseehisfeetandheoftenfeltlikeamanwalkingforwardtofallatanymomentdownathousandyardsofchasm。Heheardwhispers；hesawskulkingfigures，andthesefrightsturnedouttobethevoiceofalittletrickleofwaterortheeffectsofwindamongtheleaves，buttheywerereplacedbythesameterrorsinslightlydifferentforms。

Thenthepoignantthinginterpolated。Avolleycrashedaheadofthemsomehalfofamileawayandanothervolleyansweredfromastillnearerpoint。Swishingnoiseswhichthecorrespondenthadheardintheairhenowknowtohavebeenfromthepassingofbullets。Heandthedragomancamestockstill。Theyheardthreeothervolleyssoundingwiththeabruptclamourofahailoflittlestonesuponahollowsurface。Colemanandthedragomancameclosetogetherandlookedintothewhitesofeachother"seyes。Theghastlyhorseatthatmomentstretcheddownhisneckandbeganplacidlytopluckthegrassattheroadside。Thetwomenwereequallyblankwithfearandeachseemedtoseekintheothersomenewlyrampantmanhooduponwhichhecouldleanatthistime。BehindthemweretheTurks。Infrontofthemwasafightinthedarkness。InfrontitwasmathematictosupposeinfactwerealsotheTurks。Theywerebarred；enclosed；cutoff。Theendwascome。

Evenatthatmomenttheyheardfrombehindthemthesoundofslow，stealthyfootsteps。Theybothwheeledinstantly，chokingwiththisadditionalterror。Colemansawthedragomanmoveswiftlytothesideoftheroad，readytojumpintowhateverabysshappenedtobethere。Colemanstillgrippedthehalterasifitwereintruthastraw。Thestealthyfootstepsweremuchnearer。Thenitwasthataninsanitycameuponhimasiffearhadflamedupwithinhimuntilitgavehimallthemagnificentdesperationofamadman。

Hejerkedthegreyhorsebroadsidetotheapproachingmystery，andgrabbingouthisrevolveraimeditfromthetopofhisimprovisedbulwark。Hehailedthedarkness。

"Halt。Who"sthere？"Hehadexpectedhisvoicetosoundlikeagroan，butinsteadithappenedtosoundclear，stern，commanding，likethevoiceofayoungsentryatanencampmentofvolunteers。Hedidnotseemtohaveanyprivilegeofselectionastothewords。Theywerebornofthemselves。

Hewaitedthen，blanchedandhopeless，fordeathtowingoutofthedarknessandstrikehimdown。Heheardavoice。Thevoicesaid:"DoyouspeakEnglish？"ForoneortwosecondshecouldnotevenunderstandEnglish，andthenthegreatfactswelledupandwithinhim。ThisvoicewithallitsnewquaverswasstillundoubtedlythevoiceofProf。HarrisonB。WainwrightofWashurstCollegeCHAPTERXII。

ACHANGEflashedoverColemanasifithadcomefromanelectricstorage。Hehadknowntheprofessorlong，buthehadneverbeforeheardaquaverinhisvoice，anditwasthislittlequaverthatseemedtoimpelhimtosupremedisregardofthedangerswhichhelookeduponasbeingthefinaldangers。Hisownvoicehadnotquavered。

Whenhespoke，hespokeinalowtone，itwasthevoiceofthemasterofthesituation。Hecouldhearhisdupesflutteringthereinthedarkness。"Yes，"hesaid，"IspeakEnglish。Thereissomedanger。Staywhereyouareandmakenonoise。"Hewasascoolasaniceddrink。Tobesurethecircumstanceshadinnowisechangedastohispersonaldanger，butbeyondtheimportantfactthattherewerenowotherstoendureitwithhim，heseemedabletoforgetitinastrange，unauthorizedsenseofvictory。Itcamefromtheprofessor"squavers。

Meanwhilehehadforgottenthedragoman，butherecalledhimintimetobidhimwait。Then，aswellconcealedasamonkhidinginhiscowl，hetip-toedbackintoagroupofpeoplewhoknewhimintimately。

Hediscernedtwowomenmountedonlittlehorsesandaboutthemweredimmen。Hecouldhearthembreathinghard。"Itisallright"hebegansmoothly。"Youonlyneedtobeverycareful——"

Suddenlyoutoftheblacknessprojectedahalfphosphorescentface。Itwasthefaceofthelittleprofessor。Hestammered。"We-we-doyoureallyspeakEnglish？"Colemaninhisfeelingofsuperbtriumphcouldalmosthavelaughed。Hisnerveswereassteadyashemp，buthewasinhasteandhishasteallowedhimtoadministerrebuketohisoldprofessor。

"Didn"tyouhearme？"hehissedthroughhistighteninglips。

"Theyarefightingjustaheadofusontheroadandifyouwanttosaveyourselvesdon"twastetime。"

Anotherfaceloomedfaintlylikeamaskpaintedindarkgrey。

ItbelongedtoCoke，anditwasamaskfiguredinprofoundstupefaction。Thelipsopenedandtenselybreathedoutthename:"Coleman。"Instantlythecorrespondentfeltabouthimthatkindofatumultwhichtriestosuppressitself。Heknewthatitwasthemosttheatricmomentofhislife。Heglancedquicklytowardthetwofiguresonhorseback。Hebelievedthatonewasmakingfoolishgesticulationwhiletheothersatrigidandsilent。

ThislatteroneheknewtobeMarjory。Hewascontentthatshedidnotmove。Onlyawomanwhowasgladhehadcomebutdidnotcareforhimwouldhavemoved。ThisapplieddirectlytowhathethoughtheknewofMarjory"snature。

Therewasconfusionamongthestudents，butColemansuppresseditasinsuchsituationmightacenturion。"S-s-steady!"

Heseizedthearmoftheprofessoranddrewhimforciblyclose。"Theconditionisthis，"hewhisperedrapidly。

"Weareinafixwiththisfightonuptheroad。Iwassentafteryou，butIcan"tgetyouintotheGreeklinesto-night。Mrs。WainwrightandMarjorymustdismountandIandmymanwilltakethehorsesonandhidethem。Alltherestofyoumustgoupaboutahundredfeetintothewoodsandhide。WhenIcomeback，I"llhailyouandyouanswerlow。"Theprofessorwaslikepulpinhisgrasp。Hechokedouttheword"Coleman"inagonyandwonder，butheobeyedwithapalpablegratitude。ColemansprangtothesideoftheshadowyfigureofMarjory。"Come，"hesaidauthoritatively。

Shelaidinhispalmalittleicycoldhandanddroppedfromherhorse。Hehadanimpulsetoclingtothesmallfingers，butheloosenedthemimmediately，im-

partingtohismanner，aswellasthedarknessper-

mittedhim，akindofcasualpolitenessasifheweretoointentuponthebusinessinhand。Hebunchedthecrowdandpushedthemintothewood。Thenheandthedragomantookthehorsesahundredyardsonwardandtetheredthem。Noonewouldcareiftheywerestolen；thegreatpointwastogetthemwheretheirnoisewouldhavenopowerofrevealingthewholeparty。Therehadbeennofurtherfiring。

Afterhehadtiedthelittlegreyhorsetoatreeheunropedhisluggageandcarriedthemostofitbacktothepointwheretheothershadlefttheroad。Hecalledoutcautiouslyandreceivedasibilantanswer。

Heandthedragomanbuntedamongthetreesuntiltheycametowhereaforlorncompanywasseatedawaitingthemliftingtheirfaceslikefrogsoutofapond。Hisfirstquestiondidnotgivethemanyassurance。Hesaidatonce:"Areanyofyouarmed？"Unanimouslytheylowlybreathed:"No。"

Hesearchedthemoutonebyoneandfinallysankdownbytheprofessor。Hekeptsortofahypnotichandcuffuponthedragoman，becauseheforesawthatthismanwasreallygoingtobethekeytothebestmeansofescape。Toalargeneutralpartywanderingbetweenhostilelinestherewastechnicallynodanger，butactuallytherewasagreatdeal。Botharmieshadtoomanyirregulars，lawlesshillsmencomeouttofightintheirownway，andiftheywereencounteredinthedeadofnightonsuchhazardousgroundtheGreekhillsmenwiththeirwhitecrossonabluefieldwouldbepreciselyasdangerousastheblood-hungryAlbanians。ColemanknewthattherationalwaywastoreachtheGreeklines，andhehadnointentionofreachingtheGreeklineswithoutatongue，andtheonlytonguewasinthemouthofthedragoman。Hewascorrectinthinkingthattheprofessor"sdeepknowledgeoftheancientlanguagewouldgivehimsmallcluetothespeechofthemodernGreek。

Ashesettledhimselfbytheprofessorthebandofstudents，eightinnumberpushedtheirfacesclose。

Hedidnotseeanyreasonforspeaking。TherewerethirtysecondsofdeepsilenceinwhichhefeltthatallwerebendingtohearkentohiswordsofcounselTheprofessorhuskilybrokethestillness。Well***whatarewetodonow？"

Colemanwasdecisive，indeedabsolute。"We"llstayhereuntildaylightunlessyoucaretogetshot。"

"Allright，"answeredtheprofessor。Heturnedandmadeauselessremarktohisflock。"Stayhere。"

Colemanaskedcivilly，"Haveyouhadanythingtoeat？

Haveyougotanythingtowraparoundyou？"

"Wehaveabsolutelynothing，"answeredtheprofessor。"

Ourservantsranawayand**andthenwelefteverythingbehindus**andI"veneverbeeninsuchapositioninmylife。"

Colemanmovedsoftlyinthedarknessandunbuckledsomeofhistraps。Onhiskneehebrokethehardcakesofbreadandwithhisfingershebrokethelittletabletsofchocolate。Thesehedistributedtohispeople。AndatthistimehefeltfullytheappreciationoftheconductoftheeightAmericancollegestudentsTheyhadnotyetsaidaword-withtheexceptionofthebewilderedexclamationfromCoke。Theyallknewhimwell。Inanycircumstanceoflifewhichasfarashetrulybelieved，theyhadyetencountered，theywouldhavebeenprivilegedtoaccosthimineveryformoftheirremarkablevocabulary。Theywereasnewtothisgameas，wouldhavebeeneightnewly-caughtApacheIndiansifsuchweresettoruntheelevatorsintheTractSocietyBuilding。Hecouldseetheireyesgazingathimanxiouslyandhecouldheartheirdeep-

drawnbreaths。Buttheysaidnoword。Heknewthattheywerelookinguponhimastheirleader，almostastheirsaviour，andheknewalsothattheyweregoingtofollowhimwithoutamurmurintheconvictionthatheknewten-foldmorethantheyknew。Itoccurredtohimthathispositionwasludicrouslyfalse，but，anyhow，hewasglad。Surelyitwouldbeaveryeasythingtoleadthemtosafetyinthemorningandheforesawthecreditwhichwouldcometohim。Heconcludedthatitwasbeneathhisdignityaspreservertovouchsafethemmanywords。Hisbusinesswastobethecold，masterful，enigmaticman。Itmightbesaidthatthesereflectionswereonlyhalf-thoughtsinhismind。Meanwhileasectionofhisintellectwasflyinghitherandthither，speculatingupontheCircassiancavalryandtheAlbanianguerillasandeventheGreekoutposts。

HeunbuckledhisblanketrollandtakingoneblanketplaceditabouttheshouldersoftheshadowwhichwasMrs。Wainwright。Theshadowprotestedincoherently，。huthemuttered"Ohthat"sallright。"ThenhetookhisotherblanketandwenttotheshadowwhichwasMarjory。Itwassomethinglikeputtingawrapabouttheshouldersofastatue。Hewasbaseenoughtolingerinthehopesthathecoulddetectsomeslighttremblingbutasfaraslieknewshewasofstone。Hismacintoshhefoldedaroundthebodyoftheprofessoramidquitesenileprotest，sosenilethattheprofessorseemedsuddenlyproventohimasanold，oldman，afactwhichhadneveroccurredtoWashurstorherchildren。Thenhewenttothedragomanandpre-emptedhalfofhisblankets，ThedragomangruntedbutColemanItwouldnotdotohavethisdragomandevelopaluxurioustemperamentwheneightAmericancollegestudentswere，withoutspeech，shiveringinthecoldnight。

Colemanreallybeguntoruminateuponhisglory，buthefoundthathecouldnotdothiswellwithoutSmoking，sohecreptawaysomedistancefromthisfireless，encampment，andbendinghisfacetothegroundatthefootofatreehestruckamatchandlitacigar。Hisretuntotheotherswouldhavebeensomewhatinthemannerofcoolnessasdisplayedonthestageifhehadnotbeenpreventedbythenecessityofmakingnonoise。HesawregardinghimasbeforethedimlyvisibleeyesoftheeightstudentsandMarjoryandherfatherandmother。

Thenhewhisperedtheconventionalwords。"Gotosleepifyoucan。

You"llneedyourstrengthinthemorning。Iandthismanherewillkeepwatch。"Threeofthecollegestudentsofcoursecrawleduptohimandeachsaid:"I"llkeepwatch，oldman。"

"No。We"llkeepwatch。Youpeopletrytosleep。"

Hedeemedthatitmightbebettertoyieldthedragomanhisblanket，andSohegotupandleanedagainstatree，holdinghishandtocoverthebrilliantpointofhiscigar。Heknewperfectlywellthatnoneofthemcouldsleep。Buthestoodtheresomewhatlikeasentrywithouttheattitude，butwithalltheeffectofresponsibility。

Hehadnodoubtbutwhatescapetocivilisationwouldbeeasy，butanyhowhisheroismshouldbepreserved。Hewastherescuer。HisthoughtsofMarjoryweresomewhatinapuzzle。

Themeetinghadplacedhiminsuchapositionthathehadexpectedalotofcondescensiononhisownpart。Insteadshehadexhibitedaboutasmuchrecognitionofhimaswouldastonefountainonhisgrandfather"splaceinConnecticut。Thisinhisopinionwasnotthewaytogreettheknightwhohadcometotherescueofhislady。Hehadnotexpecteditsotohappen。InfactfromAthenstothisplacehehadengagedhimselfwithimageryofpossiblemeetings。Hewasvexed，certainly，but，farbeyondthat，heknewadeeperadminirationforthisgirl。Tohimsherepresentedthesex，andsothesexasembodiedinherseemedamysterytobefeared。Hewonderedifsafetycameonthemorrowhewouldnotsurrendertothisfeminineinvulnerability。Shehadnotdoneanythingthathehadexpectedofherandsoinasmuchashelovedherhelovedhermore。Itwasbewitching。Hehalfconsideredhimselfafool。Butatanyratehethoughtresentfullysheshouldbethankfultohimforhavingrenderedheragreatservice。

However，whenhecametoconsiderthispropositionheknewthatonabasisofabsolutemanlyendeavourhehadrenderedherlittleornoservice。

Thenightwaslong。

CHAPTERXIII。

COLEMANsuddenlyfoundhimselflookinguponhispalliddragoman。Hesawthathehadbeenasleepcrouchedatthefootofthetree。Withoutanyexchangeofspeechatallheknewtherehadbeenalarmingnoises。Thenshotssoundedfromnearby。Somewerefromriflesaimedinthatdirectionandsomewerefromriflesopposedtothem。Thiswasdistinguishabletotheexperiencedman，butallthatColemanknewwasthattheconditionsofdangerwerenowtriplicated。Unconsciouslyhestretchedhishandsinsupplicationoverhischarges。"Don"tmove!Don"tmove!Andkeepclosetotheground!"AllheededhimbutMarjory。Shestillsatstraight。Hehimselfwasonhisfeet，buthenowknewthesoundofbullets，andheknewthatnobulletshadspunthroughthetrees。Hecouldnotseeherdistinctly，butitwasknowntohiminsomewaythatshewasmutinous。Heleanedtowardherandspokeasharshlyaspossible。"Marjory，getdown!"Shewaveredforamomentasifresolvedtodefyhim。Asheturnedagaintopeerinthedirectionofthefiringitwentthroughhismindthatshemustlovehimverymuchindeed。Hewasassuredofit。

Itmusthavebeensomesmalloutpourbetweennervouspicketsandeagerhillsmen，foritendedinamoment。Thepartywaitedinabasementforwhatseemedtothematime，andthebluedawnbegan，tolaggardlyshiftthenightastheywaited。

Thedawnitselfseemedprodigiouslylonginarrivingatanythinglikediscerniblelandscape。Whenthiswasconsummated，Coleman，insomewhatthemannerofthefatherofachurch，dealtbitsofchocolateouttotheothers。Hehadalreadytakentheprecautiontoconferwiththedragoman，sohesaid:"Well，comeahead。We"llmakeatryforit。"Theyaroseathisbiddingandfollowedhimtotheroad。Itwasthesamebroad，whiteroad，onlythatthewhitewasinthedawningsomethinglikethegreyofaveil。Ittooksomecouragetoventureuponthisthoroughfare，butColemansteppedout-afterlookingquicklyinbothdirections。Thepartytrampedtowherethehorseshadbeenleft，andtheretheywerefoundwithoutchangeofarope。

Colemanrejoicedtoseethathisdragomannowfollowedhiminthewayofagoodlieutenant。Theybothdashedinamongthetreesandhadthehorsesoutintotheroadinatwinkle。WhenColemanturnedtodirectthatutterlysubservient，groupheknewthathisfacewasdrawnfromhardshipandanxiety，buthesaweverywherethesamestyleoffacewiththeexceptionofthefaceofMarjory，wholookedsimplyoflovelymarble。Henotedwithacurioussatisfaction，asifthethingwasatributetohimself，thathismacintoshwasovertheprofessor"sshoulder，thatMarjoryandhermotherwereeachcarryingablanket，andthat，thecorpsofstudentshaddutifullybroughtallthetrapswhichhisdragomanhadforgotten。Itwasgrand。

Headdressedthemtosay:"Now，approachingoutpostsisverydangerousbusinessatthistimeinthemorning。Somyman，whocantalkbothGreekandTurkish，willgoaheadfortyyards，andIwillfollowsomewherebetweenhimandyou。Trynottocrowdforward。"

Hedirectedtheladiesupontheirhorsesandplacedtheprofessoruponthelittlegreynag。Thentheytookuptheirlineofmarch。Thedragomanhadlookedsomewhatdubiouslyuponthisplanofhavinghimgofortyyardsinadvance，buthehadtheutmostconfidenceinthisnewColeman，whomyesterdayhehadnotknown。Besides，hehimselfwasaverygallantmanindeed，anditbefittedhimtotakethepostofdangerbeforetheeyesofalltheseforeigners。Inhisnewpositionhewasasproudandunreasonableasarooster。Hewascontinuallyturninghisheadtoscowlbackatthem，whenonlytheclankofhoofswassounding。Animpenetrablemistlayonthevalleyandthehill-topswereshrouded。Asforthepeople，theywerelikemice。ColemanpaidnoattentiontotheWainwrightparty，butwalkedsteadilyalongnearthedragoman。

Perhapsthewholethingwasatrifleabsurd，buttoagreatpercentage，ofthepartyitwasterrible。Forinstance，thoseeightboys，freshfromaschool，couldinnowisegaugethedimensions。Andifthiswastrueofthestudents，itwasmoredistinctlytrueofMarjoryandhermother。Asfortheprofessor，heseemedWeightedtotheearthbyhisloveandhisresponsibility。

Suddenlythedragomanwheeledandmadedemoniacsigns。

Colemanhalf-turnedtosurveythemainbody，andthenpaidhisattentionswiftlytothefront。Thewhiteroadspedtothetopofahillwhereitseemedtomakearotundswingintooblivion。

Thetopofthecurvewasframedinfoliage，andthereinwasahorseman。Hehadhiscarbineslantedonhisthigh，andhisbridle-reinstaut。Uponsightofthemheimmediatelywheeledandgallopeddowntheotherslopeandvanished。

Thedragomanwasthrowingwildgesturesintotheair。AsColemanlookedbackattheWainwrightpartyhesawplainlythattoanordinaryeyetheymighteasilyappearasastrongadvanceoftroops。Thepeculiarlightwouldemphasizesuchtheory。Thedragomanrantohimjubilantly，buthecontainednowaformofintelligencewhichcausedhimtowhisper；"ThatwasoneGreek。ThatwasoneGreek-whatdoyoucall——sentree？"

Colemanaddressedtheothers。Hesaid:"It"sallright。Comeahead。ThatwasaGreekpicket。Thereisonlyonetroublenow，andthatistoapproachthemeasy-doyousee-easy。"

Hisobedientchargescameforwardathisword。Whentheyarrivedatthetopofthisrisetheysawnothing。Colemanwasveryuncertain。Hewasnotsurethatthispickethadnotcarriedwithhimageneralalarm，andinthatcasetherewouldsoonoccuracertainamountofshooting。However，asfarasheunderstoodthebusiness，therewasnowaybutforward。

InasmuchashedidnotindicatetotheWainwrightpartythathewishedthemtododifferently，theyfollowedondoggedlyafterhimandthedragoman。Heknewnowthatthedragoman"shearthadforthetenthtimeturnedtodog-biscuit，sohekeptabreastofhim。Andsoontogethertheywalkedintoacavalryoutpost，commandedbynolessapersonthanthedashingyoungcaptain，whocamelaughingouttomeetthem。

Suddenlylosingallcolourofwar，theconditionwasnowsuchasmightoccurinadrawingroom。ColemanfelttheimportanceofestablishinghighlyconventionalrelationsbetweenthecaptainandtheWainwrightparty。Tocompassthishefirstseizedhisdragoman，andthedragoman，enlightenedimmediately，spunaseriesoflieswhichmusthaveledthecaptaintobelievethattheentireheartoftheAmericanrepublichadbeentakenoutofthatwesterncontinentandtransportedtoGreece。Colemanwasproudofthecaptain，ThelatterimmediatelywentandbowedinthemanneroftheFrenchschoolandaskedeverybodytohaveacupofcoffee，althoughacceptationwouldhaveprovedhisruinanddisgrace。Colemanrefusedinthenameofcourtesy。Hecalledhispartyforward，andnowtheyproceededmerelyasonecrowd。Marjoryhaddismountedinthemeantime。

Themomentwascome。Colemanfeltit。Thefirstrushwasfromthestudents。Immediatelyhewasburiedinathrashingmobofthem。"Goodboy!Goodboy!Greatman!Oh，isn"theapeach？Howdidhedoit？Hecameinstrongatthefinish!Goodboy，Coleman!"Throughthismistofglowingyouthfulcongratulatioinhesawtheprofessorstandingattheoutskirtswithdirectformalthanksalreadymovingonhislips，whilenearhimhiswifeweptjoyfully。Marjorywasevidentlyenduringsomeinscrutableemotion。

Afterall，itdidpenetratehismindthatitwasindecenttoacceptallthiswildgratitude，buttherewasbuiltwithinhimnointentionofpositivelydeclaringhimselflackinginallcredit，oratleast，lackinginallcreditinthewaytheirpraisesdefinedit。

Intruthhehadassistedthem，buthehadbeenatthetimelargelyengagedinassistinghimself，andtheircominghadbeenmoreofaboontohislonelinessthananadditiontohiscare。

However，hesoonhadnodifficultyinmakinghisconscienceappropriateeverylineinthesehymnssunginhishonour。Thestudents，curiouslywiseofmen，thoughthisconductquiteperfect。"Oh，say，comeoff!"heprotested。"Why，Ididn"tdoanything。Youfellowsarecrazy。

Youwouldhavegotteninallrightbyyourselves。Don"tactlikeasses-"

AssoonastheprofessorhadopportunityhecametoColeman。Hewasachangedlittleman，andhisextraordinarybewildermentshowedinhisface。Itwasthedisillusionandamazementofastubbornmindthathadgoneimplacablyinitsonedirectionandfoundintheendthatthedirectionwasallwrong，andthatreallyacertainmentalmachinehadnotbeeninfallible。ColemanrememberedwhattheAmericanministerinAthenshaddescribedofhisprotestsagainstthestartingoftheprofessor"spartyonthisjourney，andofthecompleterefusaloftheprofessortorecogniseanyvalueintheadvice。Andherenowwastheconsequentdefeat。Itwasmirroredintheprofessor"sastonishedeyes。Colemanwentdirectlytohisdazedoldteacher。"Well，you"reoutofitnow，professor，"hesaidwarmly。"Icongratulateyouonyourescape，sir。"Theprofessorlookedathim，helplesstoexpresshimself，butthecorrespondentwasatthattimesuddenlyenvelopedinthehystericalgratitudeofMrs。Wainwright，whohurledherselfuponhimwithextravagantmanifestations。Colemanplayedhispartwithskill。ToboththeprofessorandMrs。Wainwrighthismannerwasacombinationofmodestlyfilialaffectionandapretentiousdisavowalofhishavingdoneanythingatall。ItseemedtocharmeverybodybutMarjory。Itirritatedhimtoseethatshewasapparentlyincapableofacknowledgingthathewasagrandman。