O'Brien surveyed them, and then said, "Peter, this is the very best thing that could have happened to us.

We may now walk through France without soiling our feet with the cursed country." "How do you mean ?" "I mean," said he, "that these are the people that we met near Montpelier, who come from the Landes, walking about on their stilts for the amusement of others, to obtain money.

In their own country they are obliged to walk so.

Now, Peter, it appears to me that the man's clothes will fit me, and the girl's (poor creature, how pretty she looks, cold in death!) will fit you.

All we have to do is to practise a little, and then away we start." O'Brien then, with some difficulty, pulled off the man's jacket and trowsers, and having so done, buried him in the snow.