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。