TEDIOUS JOURNEY. 205
from negligence on the part of the avant courrier, who was sent on horseback to collect them, or from their own dilatory disposition in getting ready, did not seem in the least prepared for the journey.
We were told Ave had yet six miles to go, and as the road was a steep ascent, and very rough, there was every chance of our being a long time on it. As night came on, we began to think of the IJuddhist saying, " that when it grows dark, people think of housing themselves." But we had little hope, for several hours yet, of finding any shelter except what the carriage afforded, and therefore resigned ourselves to our lot.
Again ami again Drahman and I jum])ed down ti) Hghten the weight and lend a lielj)ing hand; but the niglit being dark and gloomy, the route seemed interminable. The torches which some of the men held were cf)nst:nitly extinguished by the rain all I if them ijee()niin!j; at last so thoroughly wet that not one would !)urn.
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