It was but some nonsense of a wench being found in my hut by some who came to consult me upon a point of faith, but it was enough to set their heathen tongues wagging; so I thought it wisest to give them the slip in a Levantine coaster and leave the Koran uncompleted.

It is perhaps as well, for it would be a sore trial to have to give up Christian women and pork, for their garlic-breathing houris and accursed kybobs of sheep's flesh.' We had passed through Fareham and Botley during this conversation, and were now making our way down the Bishopstoke road.

The soil changes about here from chalk to sand, so that our horses' hoofs did but make a dull subdued rattle, which was no bar to our talk--or rather to my companion's, for I did little more than listen.

In truth, my mind was so full of anticipations of what was before us, and of thoughts of the home behind, that I was in no humour for sprightly chatter.

The sky was somewhat clouded, but the moon glinted out between the rifts, showing us the long road which wound away in front of us.