Be yourself, and think of nothing but me." A short ride brought the little cavalcade to the borders of the desert.
Here, by common consent, a halt was made, to draw breath, as it were, before taking the final plunge into the fiery furnace.
"Before we go farther," said General Trednoke, approaching Freeman, as he was tightening his girths, "I must tell you what is the object of this expedition." "It is not necessary, general," replied the young man, straightening himself and looking the other in the face; "for from this point our paths lie apart." "Why so ?" demanded the general, in surprise.
"What's that ?" exclaimed Meschines, coming up, and adjusting his spectacles.
"I'm not at liberty, at present, to explain," Freeman answered.

"All I can say is that I don't feel justified in assisting you in your affair, and I am not able to confide my own to you.

I wish you to put the least uncharitable construction you can on my conduct.

To-morrow, if we all live, I may say more; now, the most I can tell you is that I am not entirely a free agent.

Meantime--Hasta luego." Against this unexpected resolve the general cordially protested and the professor scoffed and contended; but Freeman stayed firm.