The men were set to work
at once at putting up the tents and making entrenchments. It was some
time after midday when the general and his staff finally left the
headquarters in the city. Sam came downstairs with Major Stroud to
mount his horse, and was surprised to see a landau with two horses
drawn up at the door.
"Who's that for?" he cried.
"For the general," answered Major Stroud quietly.
"For the general! Why on earth doesn't he ride a horse?"
"There isn't a horse in the place that can carry him. He tried one when
he first came here. He mounted it on a step-ladder, and the beast came
down on his knees on the stone pavement and had to be shot. He hasn't
tried it since."
After waiting on the street for a long time Sam had the privilege of
seeing the general emerge from the palace and enter his carriage. He
was perspiring and fanning as usual, but carried no whisky and soda.
The staff officers, of whom there were a dozen or more, mounted and
followed the carriage. Sam rode next to Stroud. There was much
confusion in the roads which they traveled--wagons laden with tents and
provisions and hospital stores, camp-followers of all descriptions, and
some belated soldiers besides. The general, however, had the right of
way, and they proceeded with reasonable speed. They passed through
native villages, rows of one-and two-story thatched houses on each
side, with wooden palisades in front of them, well shaded by low but
spreading palms.
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