WhereuponhewhirledhimselfinAthens。AnditwastotheconsiderableastonishmentofsomeAthenians。HediscoveredandinstantlysubsidisedayoungEnglishmanwho，duringhisabsenceatthefront，wouldactascorrespondentfortheEclipseatthecapital。Hetookuntohimselfadragomanandthenboughtthreehorsesandhiredagroomataspeedthatcausedalittlecrowdatthehorsedealer\'splacetocomeoutuponthepavementandwatchthissurprisingyoungmanridebacktowardhishotel。HehadalreadydrivenhisdragomanintoacuriousstateofOrientalbewildermentandpanicinwhichhecouldonlylumberhastilyandhelplesslyhereandthere，withhisfaceinthemeantimemarkedwithagony。Coleman\'sownfieldequipmenthadbeenorderedbycablefromNewYorktoLondon，butitwasnecessarytobuymuchtinnedmeats，chocolate，coffee，candles，patentfood，brandy，tobaccos，medicineandotherthings。
Hewenttobedthatnightfeelingmoreplacid。ThetrainbacktoPatraswastostartintheearlymorning，andhefeltthesatisfactionofamanwhoisatlastabouttostartonhisowngreatquest。Beforehedroppedofftoslumber，heheardcrowdscheeringexultantlyinthestreets，andthecheeringmovedhimasithaddoneinthemorning。Hefeltthatthecelebrationofthepeoplewasreallyanaccompanimenttohisprimalreason，areasonofloveandambitiontoconquerinlove-evenasinthetheatre，themusicaccompaniestheheroinhisprogress。HearoseonceduringthenighttostudyamapoftheBalkanpeninsulaandgetnailedintohismindtheexactpositionofNikopolis。Itwasimportant。
CHAPTERIX。
COLEMAN\'Sdragomanarousedhiminthebluebeforedawn。
Thecorrespondentarrayedhimselfinoneofhisnewkhakisuits-
ridingbreechesandatunicwellmarkedwithbuttonedpockets-
andaccompaniedbysomeofhisbeautifulbrownluggage，theydepartedforthestation。
TheridetoPatrasisaterrorunderordinarycircumstances。Itbeginsintheearlymorningandendsinthetwilight。ToColeman，havingjustcomefromPatrastoAthens，thisjourneyfromAthenstoPatrashadalltheexasperatingelementsofaforcedrecantation。Moreover，hehadnotcomepreparedtoviewwithawetheancientcityofCorinthnortoviewwithadmirationthelimpidbeautiesofthegulfofthatnamewithitsolivegroveshore。HewasnotstirredbyParnassus，afar-awaysnow-fieldhighontheblackshouldersofthemountainsacrossthegulf。No；hewishedtogotoNikopolis。Hepassedoverthegravesofanancientracethegleamofwhosemightymindsshot，hardlydimmed，throughthecloudingages。No；hewishedtogotoNikopolis。Thetrainwentatasnail\'space，andifColemanbadaninterestitwasinthepeoplewholinedtherouteandcheeredthesoldiersonthetrain。InColemanscompartmenttherewasagreasypersonwhospokealittleEnglish。Heexplainedthathewasapoet，apoetwhonowwroteofnothingbutwar。Whenamanisinpursuitofhisloveandsuccessisknowntobeatleastremote，itoftenrelieveshisstrainifheisdeeplyboredfromtimetotime。
ThetrainwasreallyobligedtoarrivefinallyatPatrasevenifitwasatortoise，andwhenthishappened，ahotelrunnerappeared，wholiedforthebenefitofthehotelinsayingthattherewasnoboatovertoMesalonghithatnight。When，alltoolate，Colemandiscoveredthetruthofthematterhiswretcheddragomancameinforaperiodofinfamyandsuffering。
However，whilestrollingintheplazaatPatras，amidnewsboysfromeveryside，byrumourandtruth，Colemanlearnedthingstohisadvantage。AGreekfleetwasbombardingPrevasa。PrevasawasnearNikopolis。TheopposingarmiesatArtawereengaged，principallyinanartilleryduel。ArtawasontheroadfromNikopolisintoGreece。Hearingthisnewsinthesunlitsquaremadehimbetraynoweakness，butinthedarknessofhisroomatthehotel，heseemedtobeholdMarjoryencircledbyinsurmountablewallsofflame。Hecouldlookoutofhiswindowintotheblacknightofthenorthandfeeleveryounceofahideouscircumstance。Itappalledhim；herewasnopowerofcallingupascoreofreportersandsendingthemscamperingtoaccomplisheverything。Heevenmightaswellhavebeenwithoutatongueasfarasitcouldservehimingoodlyspeech。Hewasalone，confrontingtheblackominousTurkishnorthbehindwhichwerethedeadlyflames；behindtheflameswasMarjory。Itworkeduponhimuntilhefeltobligedtocallinhisdragoman，andthen，seatedupontheedgeofhisbedandwavinghispipeeloquently，hedescribedtheplightofsomeverydearfriendswhowerecutoffatNikopolisinEpirus。Someofhistalkwasalmostwistfulinitswishforsympathyfromhisservant，butattheendhebadethedragomanunderstandthatbe，Coleman，wasgoingtotheirrescue，andhedefiantlyaskedthehirelingifhewaspreparedtogowithhim。
ButhedidnotknowtheGreeknature。Intwominutesthedragomanwasweepingtearsofenthusiasm，and，forthesetears，Colemanwasover-grateful，becausehehadnotbeentoldthatanyofthemorecrudeformsofsentimentarousethecommonGreektothehighestpitch，butsometimes，whenitcomestowhattheAmericanscalla\"showdown，\"whenhegetsbackedtowardhislastcornerwithasolitaryprivilegeofdyingforthesesentiments，perhapshedoesnotalwaysexhibitthosetalentswhicharesupposedtobepossessedbythebulldog。Heoftenthen，goesintothecafesandtake\'sitoutinoration，likeanycommonParisian。
InthemorningAsteamercarriedthemacrossthestraitandlandedthemnearMesalonghiatthefootoftherailroadthatleadstoAgrinion。AtAgrinionColemanatlastbegantofeelthathewasnearinghisgoal。Therewereplentyofsoldiersinthetown，whoreceivedwithdelightandapplausethisgentlemaninthedistinguished-lookingkhakiclotheswithhisrevolverandhisfieldglassesandhiscanteenand；hisdragoman。Thedragomanlied，ofcourse，andvocifcratedthatthegentlemaninthedistinguished-lookingkhakiclotheswasanEnglishsoldierofreputation，whohad，naturally，cometohelpthecrossinitsfightagainst，thecrescent。HealsosaidthathismasterhadthreesuperbhorsescomingfromAthensinchargeofagroom，andwasundoubtedlygoingtojointhecavalry。Whereuponthesoldierswishedtoembraceandkissthegentlemaninthedistinguished-lookingkhakiclothes。
Therewasmoreorlessofascuffle。Colemanwouldhavetakentokickingandpunching，buthefoundthatbya-seriesofelusivemovementshecoulddodgethedemonstrationsofaffectionwithoutlosinghispopularity。Escortedbythesoldiers，citizens，childrenanddogs，hewenttothediligencewhichwastotakehimandothersthenextstageofthejourney。
Asthediligenceproceeded，Coleman\'smindsufferedanotherlittleinroadofill-fateastothesuccessofhisexpedition。Inthefirstplaceitappearedfoolishtoexpectthatthisdiligencewouldeverarriveanywhere。Moreover，theaccommodationswereaboutequaltowhatonewouldendureifoneundertooktosleepforanightinatree。Thentherewasadevil-dog，alittleblack-and-tanterrierinablanketgorgeousandbelled，whosedutyitwastostandonthetopofthecoachandbarkincessantlytokeepthedriverfullyarousedtotheenormityofhisoccupation。Tohavethiscursilencedeitherbystrangulationorordinaryclubbing，ColemanstruggledwithhisdragomanasJacobstruggledwiththeangel，butinthefirstplace，thedragomanwasaGreekwhosetonguecouldgoquitedrunk，aGreekwhobecameaslavetotheheraldingandestablishmentofonecertainfact，orlie，andnowhewasengagedindescribingtoeveryvillageandtoallthecountrysidetheprowessofthegentlemaninthedistinguished-lookingkhakiclothes。Itwasthegeneralabsurdityofthisadvancetothefrontierandthefighting，tothecrucialplacewherehewasresolvedtomakeanattempttorescuehissweetheart；itwasthisridiculousaspectthatcausedtocometoColemanapremonitionoffailure。Noknighteverwentouttorecoveralostloveinsuchadiligenceandwithsuchadevil-dog，tinklinghislittlebellsandyelpinginsanelytokeepthedriverawake。
Afternight-falltheyarrivedatatownonthesoutherncoastoftheGulfofArtaandthegoadeddragomanwas-thrustforthfromthelittleinnintothestreettofindthefirstpossiblemeansofgettingontoArta。HereturnedatlasttotremulouslysaythattherewasnosinglechanceofstartingforArtathatnight。Whereuponhewasagainthrustintothestreetwithorders，strictorders。
Induetime，Colemanspreadhisrugsuponthefloorofhislittleroomandthoughthimselfalmostasleep，。whenthedragomanenteredwithareallyintelligentmanwho，forsomereason，hadagreedtoconsortwithhiminthebusinessofgettingthestrangerofftoArta。TheyannouncedthattherewasabrigantineabouttosailwithaloadofsoldiersforalittleportnearArta，andifColemanhurriedhecouldcatchit，permissionfromanofficerhavingalreadybeenobtained。Hewasupatonce，andthedragomanandtheunaccountablyintelligentpersonhastilygatheredhischattels。Steppingoutintoablackstreetandmovingtotheedgeofblackwaterandembarkinginablackboatfilledwithsoldierswhoseriflesdimlyshone，wasasimpressivetoColemanasif，really，ithadbeenthefirststart。Hehadenduredmanystarts，itwastrue，butthelatestonealwaystouchedhimasbeingconclusive。
Therewerenolightsonthebrigantineandthemenswungprecariouslyuphersidestothedeckwhichwasalreadyoccupiedbyababblingmultitude。Thedragomanjudiciouslyfoundaplaceforhismasterwhereduringthenightthelatterhadtomovequicklyeverytimethetillerwasshiftedtostarboard。
Thecraftraisedhershadowysailsandswungslowlyoffintothedeepgloom。Forward，someofthesoldiersbegantosingweirdminormelodies。Coleman，envelopedinhisrugs，-smokedthreeorfourcigars。Hewascontentandmiserable，lyingthere，hearingthesemelodieswhichdefinedtohimhisownaffairs。
Atdawntheywereatthelittleport。First，inthecarmineandgreytintsfromasleepysun，theycouldseelittlemobsofsoldiersworkingamidboxesofstores。Andthenfromthebackinsomedunandgreenhillssoundedadeep-throatedthunderofartilleryAnofficergaveColemanandhisdragomanpositionsinoneofthefirstboats，butofcourseitcouldnotbedonewithoutanalmostendlessamountofpalaver。Eventuallytheylandedwiththeirtraps。Colemanfeltthroughthesoleofhisboothisfootupontheshore。Hewaswithinstrikingdistance。
ButhereitwassmittenintotheheadofColeman\'sservanttoturnintothemostinefficientdragoman，probablyintheentireEast。Colemandiscerneditimmediately，beforeanyblundercouldtellhim。Heatfirstthoughtthatitwasthevoicesofthegunswhichhadmadeachillyinsidefortheman，butwhenhereflectedupontheincompetency，orchildishcourier\'sfalsity，atPatrasandhisdiscerniblelackofsensefromAgriniononward，hefeltthatthefaultwaselementalinhisnature。Itwasamerebasicinabilitytofrontnovelsituationswhichwassomehowinthedragoman；heretreatedfromeverythingdifficultinasmokeofgibberishandgesticulation。Colemanglaredathimwiththehatredthatsometimesensueswhenbreedmeetsbreed，buthesawthatthismanwasindeedagoldenlinkinhispossiblesuccess。ThismanconnectedhimwithGreeceanditslanguage。Ifhedestroyedhimhedelayedwhatwasnowhismaindesireinlife。
However，thistruthdidnotpreventhimfromaddressingthemaninelegantspeech。
ThetwolittlemenwhowereinducedtocarryColeman\'sluggageasfarastheGreekcampwerereallyprocuredbythecorrespondenthimself，whopantominedvigourouslyandwithunmistakablevividness。Followedbyhisdragomanandthetwolittlemen，hestrodeoffalongaroadwhichledstraightasasticktowherethegunswereatintervalsbooming。Meanwhilethedragomanandthetwolittlementalked，talked，talked-
Colemanwassilent，puffinghiscigarandreflectingupontheoddthingswhichhappentochivalryinthemodernage。
Heknewofmanymenwhowouldhavebeenastonishediftheycouldhaveseenintohismindatthattime，andheknewofmanymoremenwhowouldhavelaughediftheyhadthesameprivilegeofsight。Hemadenoattempttoconcealfromhimselfthatthewholethingwasromantic，romanticdespitethelittletinklingdog，thedecrepitdiligence，thepalaveringnatives，thesuper-idioticdragoman。Itwasfine，Itwasfromanotherageandeventheactorscouldnotdefacethepurityofthepicture。Howeveritwastruethatuponthebrigantinethepreviousnighthehadunaccountablywettedallhisavailablematches。Thiswasmomentous，important，crueltruth，butColeman，afterall，wastaking-aswellashecouldforgetasolemnandknightlyjoyofthisadventureandtherewereasmanyportraitsofhisladyenvisioning。beforehimaseverheldtheheartofanarmour-encasedyounggentlemanofmedievalpoetry。Ifhehadbeentravellinginthisregionasanordinarytourist，hewouldhavebeenapparentmainlyforhisloftyimpatienceovertrifles，butnowtherewasinhimapositiveassertionofdirectionwhichwasundoubtedlyoneofthereasonsforthedespairoftheaccomplisheddragoman。
Beforethemthecountryslowlyopenedandopened，thestraightwhiteroadalwayspiercingitlikealanceshaft。Soontheycouldseeblackmassesofmenmarkingthegreenknolls。
Theartillerythunderedloudlyandnowvibratedaugustlythroughtheair。Colemanquickenedhispace，tothedespairofthelittlemencarryingthetraps。TheyfinallycameupwithoneoftheseblackbodiesofmenandfoundittobecomposedofaconsiderablenumberofsoldierswhowereidlywatchingsomehospitalpeopleburyadeadTurk。Thedragomanatoncedashedforwardtopeerthroughthethrongandseethefaceofthecorpse。
ThenhecameandsupplicatedColemanasifhewerehawkinghimtolookatarelicandColemanmovedbyastrong，mysteriousimpulse，wentforwardtolookatthepoorlittleclay-colouredbody。Atthatmomentasnakeranoutfromatuftofgrassathisfeetandwriggledwildlyoverthesod。Thedragomanshrieked，ofcourse，butoneofthesoldiersputhisheelupontheheadofthereptileanditflungitselfintotheagonisingknotofdeath。
Thenthewholecrowdpowwowed，turningfromthedeadmantothedeadsnake。Colemansignaledhiscontingentandproceededalongtheroad。
Thisincident，thisparagraph，hadseemedastrangeintroductiontowar。Thesnake，thedeadman，theentiresketch，madehimshudderofitself，butmorethananythinghefeltanuncannysymbolism。Itwasnodoubtamereoccurrence；
nothingbutanoccurrence；butinasmuchasallthedetailofthisdailylifeassociateditselfwithMarjory，hefeltadifferenthorror。Hehadthoughtofthelittledevil-dogandMarjoryinaninterwovenway。SupposingMarjoryhadbeenridinginthediligencewiththedevil-dog-a-top？Whatwouldshehavesaid？
Ofherfundofexpressions，afunduncountable，whichwouldshehaveinnocentlyprojectedagainstthebackgroundoftheGreekhills？Wouldithavesmittenhernervesbadlyorwouldshehavelaughed？AndsupposingMarjorycouldhaveseenhiminhisnewkhakiclothescursinghisdragomanashelistenedtothedevil-dog？
AndnowheinterwovehismemoryofMarjorywithadeadmanandwithasnakeinthethroesoftheendoflife。Theycrossed，intersected，tangled，thesetwothoughts。Heperceiveditclearly；theincongruityofit。Heacademicallyreflecteduponthemysteriesofthehumanmind，thishomelessmachinewhichliveshereandthenthereandoftenlivesintwoorthreeopposingplacesatthesameinstant。Hedecidedthattheincidentofthesnakeandthedeadmanhadnomoremeaningthanthegreaternumberofthethingswhichhappentousinourdailylives。Neverthelessitboreuponhim。
Onaspreadofplaintheysawaforcedrawnupinalongline。
Itwasaflagrantinkystreakontheverdantprairie。Fromsomewherenearitsoundedthetimedreverberationsofguns。
ThebriskwalkofthenexttenminuteswasactuallyexcitingtoColeman。Hecouldnotbutreflectthatthosegunswerebeingfiredwithseriouspurposeatcertainhumanbodiesmuchlikehisown。
Astheydrewnearertheysawthattheinkystreakwascomposedofcavalry，thetroopersstandingattheirbridles。Thesunlightflicked，upontheirbrightweapons。Nowthedragomandevelopedinoneofhisextraordinarydirections。Heannouncedforsooththatanintimatefriendwasacaptainofcavalryinthiscommand。Colemanatfirstthought。thatthiswassomekindofmysteriouslie，butwhenhearrivedwheretheycouldhearthestampingofhoofs，theclankofweapons，andthemurmurofmen，behold，amostdashingyoungofficergaveashoutofjoyandheandthedragomanhurledthemselvesintoamadembrace。Afterthisfirstecstacywasover，thedragomanbethoughthimofhisemployer，andlookingtowardColemanhastilyexplainedhimtotheofficer。Thelatter，itappeared，wasveryaffableindeed。Muchhadhappened。TheGreeksandtheTurkshadbeenfightingoverashallowpartoftherivernearlyoppositethispointandtheGreekshaddrivenbacktheTurksandsucceededinthrowingabridgeofcasksandplankingacrossthestream。Itwasnowthedutyandthedelightofthisforceofcavalrytocrossthebridgeand，passing，thelittleforceofcoveringGreekinfantry，toproceedintoTurkeyuntiltheycameintouchwiththeenemy。
Coleman\'seyesdilated。Waseverfatelessperverse？PartlyinwretchedFrenchtotheofficerandpartlyinidiomaticEnglishtothedragoman，heproclaimedhisfierydesiretoaccompanytheexpedition。Theofficerimmediatelybeameduponhim。Infact，hewasdelighted。ThedragomanhadnaturallytoldhimmanyfalsehoodsconcerningColeman，incidentallyreferringtohimselfmoreasaphilanthropicguardianand，valuablefriendofthecorrespondentthanas，aplain，unvarnished。dragomanwithanexceedinglygoodeyeforthefinancialpossibilitiesofhisposition。
ColemanwantedtoaskhisservantiftherewasanychanceofthescouttakingthemnearNikopolis，buthedelayedbeinginformeduponthispointuntilsuchtimeashecouldfindout，secretly，forhimself。Toaskthedragomanwouldbemerestupidquestioningwhichwouldsurelymaketheanimalshy。HetriedtobecontentthatfatehadgivenhimthisearlyopportunityofdealingwithaMedievalsituationwithsomeshowofproperform；thatistosay，armed，a-horse-back，andindanger。Thenhecouldfeelthattothegodsofthegamehewasnotlaughable，aswhenherodetorescuehisloveinadiligencewithadevil-
dogyelpinga-top。
Withsomeflourish，theyoungcaptainpresentedhimtothemajorwhocommandedthecavalry。Thisofficerstoodwithhislegswideapart，eatingtherindofafreshlemonandtalkingbetimestosomeofhisofficers。ThemajoralsobeameduponColemanwhenthecaptainexplainedthatthegentlemaninthedistinguished-lookingkhakiclotheswishedtoaccompanytheexpedition。HeatoncesaidthathewouldprovidetwotroophorsesforColemanandthedragoman。Colemanthankedfateforhisbehaviourandhissatisfactionwasnotwithoutavestigeofsurprise。Atthattimehejudgedittobearemarkableamiabilityofindividuals，butinlateryearshecametobelieveincertainlawswhichhedeemedexistentsolelyforthebenefitofwarcorrespondents。Inthemindsofgovernments，warofficesandgeneralstheyhavenofunctionsaveoneofdisturbance，butColemandeemeditproventhatthecommonmen，andmanyuncommonmen，whentheygoawaytothefightingground，outofthesight，outofthehearingoftheworldknowntothem，andareeagertoperformfeatsofwarinthisnewplace，theyfeelanabsolutelongingforaspectator。Itisindeedtheveritablecoronationofthisworld。Thereisnottoomuchvanityofthestreetinthisdesireofmentohavesomedisinterestedfellowsperceivetheirdeeds。Itismerelythatamandoinghisbestinthemiddleofaseaofwar，longstohavepeopleseehimdoinghisbest。Thisfeelingisoftennotablyseriousif，inpeace，amanhasdonehisworst，orpartofhisworst。Colemanbelievedthat，aboveeverybody，young，proudandbravesubalternshadthisitch，butitexisted，trulyenough，fromlieutenantstocolonels。
Nonewantedtoconcealfromhislefthandthathisrighthandwasperformingamanlyandvaliantthing，althoughtheremightbetimeswhenanapplicationoftheprinciplewouldbeimmenselyconvenient。Thewarcorrespondentarises，then，tobecomeasortofacheaptelescopeforthepeopleathome；
furtherstill，therehavebeenfightswheretheeyesofasolitarymanweretheeyesoftheworld；onespectator，whosebusinessitwastotransfer，accordingtohisability，hisvisualimpressionstootherminds。
Colemanandhisservantwereconductedtotwosaddledtroophorses，andbesidethem，waiteddecentlyintherearoftheranks。Theuniformofthetrooperswasofplain，darkgreenclothandtheywerewellandsensiblyequipped。Themounts，however，hadinnowaybeenpicked；therewerelittlehorsesandbighorses，fathorsesandthinhorses。Theylookedtheresultofawildconscription。Colemannotedthefacesofthetroopers，andtheywerecalmenoughsavewhenamanbetrayedhimselfbyperhapsadisproportionateangryjerkatthebridleofhisrestivehorse。
Themajor，artisticallydroopinghiscloakfromhisleftshoulderandtenderlyandmusinglyfingeringhislongyellowmoustache，rodeslowlytothemiddleofthelineandwheeledhishorsetofacehismen。Abuglecalledattention，andthenheaddressedtheminaloudandrapidspeech，whichdidnotseemtohaveanend。ColemanimaginedthatthemajorwaspayingtributetotheGreektraditionofthepoweroforatory。Againthetrumpetrangout，andthisparadefrontswungoffintocolumnformation。ThenColemanandthedragomantrottedatthetailofthesquadron，restrainingwithdifficultytheirhorses，whocouldnotunderstandtheirnewplacesintheprocession，andworkedfeverishlytoregainwhattheyconsideredtheirpositionsinlife。
Thecolumnjangledmusicallyoverthesod，passingbetweentwohillsononeofwhichaGreeklightbatterywasposted。Itsmenclimbedtothetopsoftheirinterenchmentstowitnessthegoingofthecavalry。Thenthecolumncurvedalongoverditchandthroughhedgetotheshallowsoftheriver。AcrossthisnarrowstreamwasTurkey。Turkey，however，presentednothingtotheeyebutamuddybankwithfringesoftreesbackofit。Itseemedtobeagreatplainwithsparsecollectionsoffoliagemarkingit，whereastheGreekside，presentedinthemainavistaofhigh，gauntrocks。Perhapsoneofthefirsteffectsofwaruponthemind，isa。newrecognitionandfearofthecircumscribedabilityoftheeye，makingalllandscapeseeminscrutable。Thecavalrydrewupinplatoonformationontheirown。bankofthestreamandwaited。IfColemanhadknownanythingofwar，hewouldhaveknown，fromappearances，thattherewasnothingintheimmediatevicinityto，causeheart-
jumping，butasamatteroftruthhewasdeeplymovedandwonderedwhatwashidden，whatwasveiledbythosetrees。
Moreover，thesquadronsresembledartoldpictureofabodyofhorseawaitingNapoleon\'sordertocharge。Inthe，meantimehismountfumedatthebit，plungingtogetbacktotheranks。Theskywas，withoutacloud，andthesunrayssweptdownuponthem。SometimesColemanwasonthevergeofaddressingthedragoman，accordingtohisanxiety，butintheendhesimplytoldhimtogototheriverandfillthecan-teens。
Atlastanordercame，andthefirsttroopmovedwithmuffledtumultacrossthebridge。Colemanandhisdragomanfollowedthelasttroop。Thehorsesscrambledupthemuddybankmuchasiftheyweremerelybreakingoutofapasture，butprobablyallthemenfeltasuddentighteningoftheirmuscles。Coleman，inhisexcitement，felt，morethanhesaw，glossyhorseflanks，green-clothedmenchumpingintheirsaddles，bangingsabresandcanteens，andcarbinesslantedinline。
ThereweresomeGreekinfantryinatrench。Theywereheavilyovercoated，despitetheheat，andsomewereengagedineatingloavesofround，thickbread。Theycalledoutlustilyasthecavalrypassedthem。Thetrooperssmiledslowly，somewhatproudlyinresponse。
PresentlytherewasanotherhaltandColemansawthemajortrottingbusilyhereandthere，whiletroopcommandersrodeouttomeethim。Spreadinggroupsofscoutsandflankersmovedoffanddisappeared。Theirdashingyoungofficerfriendcanteredpastthemwithhistroopathisheels。Hewavedajoyfulgood-
bye。Itwasthedoingsofcavalryinactualservice，horsemenfanningoutinallforwarddirections。Thereweretwotroopsheldinreserve，andastheyjangledaheadatafootpace，Colemanandhisdragomanfollowedthem。
Thedragomanwasnowmovedtoerectmanyreasonsforanimmediatereturn。Itwasplainthathehadnostomachatallforthisbusiness，andthathewishedhimselfsafelybackontheothersideoftheriver。Colemanlookedathimaskance。WhenthesementalkedtogetherColemanmightaswellhavebeenapolarbearforallheunderstoodofit。Whenhesawthetrepidationofhisdragoman，hedidnotknowwhatitforeboded。
Inthissituationitwasnotforhimtosaythatthedragoman\'sfearswerefoundedonnothing。Andeverthedragomanraisedhisreasonsforaretreat。Colemanspoketohimself。\"Iamjustatriflerattled，\"hesaidtohisheart，andafterhehadcommunedforatimeuponthedutyofsteadiness，headdressedthedragomanincoollanguage。\"Now，mypersuasivefriend，justquitallthat，becausebusinessisbusiness，anditmayberatherannoyingbusiness，butyouwillhavetogothroughwithit。\"
Longafterward，whenruminatingoverthefeelingsofthatmorning，hesawwithsomeastonishmentthattherewasnotasinglethingwithinsoundorsighttocausearationalbeinganyquaking。Hewassimplyridingwithsomesoldiersoveravasttree-dottedprairie。
Presentlythecommandingofficerturnedinhissaddleandtoldthedragomanthathewasgoingtorideforwardwithhisorderlytowherehecouldseetheflankingpartiesandthescouts，andcourteously，withthemannerofagentlemanentertainingtwoguests，heaskedifthecivilianscaredtoaccompanyhim。ThedragomanwouldnothavepassedthisquestioncorrectlyontoColemanifhehadthoughthecouldhaveavoidedit，but，withbothmenregardinghim，heconsideredthatalieprobablymeantinstantdetection。
Hespokealmostthetruth，contentinghimselfwithmerelycommunicatingtoColemaninasubtlewayhissensethatarideforwardwiththecommandingofficerandhisorderlywouldbedepressinganddangerousoccupation。ButColemanimmediatelyacceptedtheinvitationmainlybecauseitwastheinvitationofthemajor，andinwaritisabravemanwhocanrefusetheinvitationofacommandingofficer。Thelittlepartyoffourtrottedawayfromthereserves，curvinginsinglefileaboutthewater-holes。Intimetheyarrivedatwheretheplainlackedtreesandwasonegreatgreenlakeofgrass；grassandscrubs。
OnthisexpansetheycouldseetheGreekhorsemenriding，mainlyappearingaslittleblackdots。Fartothelefttherewasasquadsaidtobecomposedofonlytwentytroopers，butinthedistancetheirblackmassseemedtobearegiment。
Astheofficerandhisguestsadvancedtheycameinviewofwhatonemaycalltheshoreoftheplain。Theriseofgroundwasheavilycladwithtrees，andoverthetopsofthemappearedthecupolaandpartofthewallsofalargewhitehouse，andtherewereglimpsesofhutsnearitasifavillagewasmarked。Theblackspecksseemedtobealmosttoit。Themajorgallopedforwardandtheothersfollowedathispace。Thehousegrewlargerandlargerandtheycamenearlytotheadvancescoutswhotheycouldnowseewerenotquiteclosetothevillage。Therehadbeenadeceptionoftheeyepreciselyasoccursatsea。Herdsofunguardedsheepdriftedovertheplainandlittleownerlesshorses，stillcruellyhobbled，leapedpainfullyaway，frightened，asiftheyunderstoodthatananarchyhadcomeuponthem。Thepartyrodeuntiltheywereverynearlyupwiththescouts，andthenfromlowdownattheveryedgeoftheplaintherecamealongrattlingnoisewhichenduredasifsomekindofgrindingmachinehadbeenputinmotion。Smokearose，faintlymarkingthepositionofanintrenchment。Sometimesaswiftspittingcouldbeheardfromtheairovertheparty。
ItwasColeman\'sfortunetothinkatfirstthattheTurkswerenotfiringinhisdirection，butassoonasheheardtheweirdvoicesintheairheknewthatwarwasuponhim。Butitwasplainthattherangewasalmostexcessive，plaineventohisignorance。Themajorlookedathimandlaughed；hefoundnodifficultyinsmilinginresponse。Ifthiswaswar，itcouldbewithstoodsomehow。Hecouldnotatthistimeunderstandwhatameretriflewasthepresentincident。Hefeltuponhischeekalittlebreezewhichwasmovingthegrass-blades。Hehadtiedhiscanteeninawrongplaceonthesaddleandeverytimethehorsemovedquicklythecanteenbangedthecorrespondent，tohisannoyanceanddistress，forciblyontheknee。Hehadforgottenabouthisdragoman，buthappeningtolookuponthatfaithfulservitor，hesawhimgonewhitewithhorror。Abulletatthatmomenttwangednearhisheadandtheslavetofearduckedinaspasm。
Colemancalledtheorderly\'sattentionandtheybothlaugheddiscreetly。Theymadenopretensionofbeingheroes，buttheysawplainlythattheywerebetterthanthisman。
Colemansaidtohim:\"HowfarisitnowtoNikopolis？\"Thedragomanrepliedonly，withalookofagonizedimpatience。
ButofcoursetherewasnogoingtoNikopolisthatday。Theofficerhadadvancedhismenasfaraswasintendedbyhissuperiors，andpresentlytheywereallrecalledandtrottedbacktothebridge。Theycrossedittotheiroldcamp。
AnimportantpartofColeman\'strapswasbackwithhisAthenianhorsesandtheirgroom，butwithhispresentequipmenthecouldatleastliesmokingonhisblanketsandwatchthedragomanpreparefood。ButhereflectedthatforthatdayhehadonlyattainedthesimplediscoverythattheapproachtoNikopoliswassurroundedwithdifficulties。
CHAPTERX。
ThesameafternoonColemanandthedragomanrodeuptoArtaontheirborrowedtroophorses。Thecorrespondentfirstwenttothetelegraphofficeandfoundtheretheusualnumberofdespairingclerks。Theywereoutragedwhentheyfoundhewasgoingtosendmessagesandthoughtitpreposterousthatheinsisteduponlearningiftherewereanyintheofficeforhim。
Theyhadtroubleenoughwithendlessofficialcommunicationswithoutbeinghoundedaboutprivateaffairsbyaconfidentyoungmaninkhaki。ButColemanatlastunearthedsixcablegramswhichcollectivesaidthattheEclipsewonderedwhytheydidnothearfromhim，thatWalkleyhadbeenrelievedfromdutyinLondonandsenttojointhearmyofthecrownprince，thatyoungPoint，theartist，hadbeenshippedtoGreece，thatifhe，Coleman，succeededinfindingtheWainwrightpartythepaperwaspreparedtomakeatremendousuproarofacelebrationoveritand，finally，thepaperwonderedtwicemorewhytheydidnothearfromhim。
WhenColemanwentforthtoenquireifanybodyknewofthewhereaboutsoftheWainwrightpartyhethoughtfirstofhisfellowcorrespondents。Hefoundmostoftheminacafewherewastobehadabouttheonlyfoodinthesoldier-ladentown。Itwasaslothfuldenwhereevenanordinaryboiledeggcouldbemadeunpalatable。Suchacommonmatterasthesaltmenwatchedwithgreedandsuspicionasiftheywerealwaysabouttograbitfromeachother。Theproprietor，inadirtyshirt，couldalwaysbeheardwhining，evidentlytellingtheworldthathewasbeingabused，buthehadspiritenoughremainingtochargethreepricesforeverythingwithanalmostJewishfluency。
Thecorrespondentsconsoledthemselveslargelyuponblack-
breadandthenativewines。Alsotherewerecertainlittleoiledfishes，andsomegreenoddsandendsforsalads。ThecorrespondentswerepracticallyallEnglishmen。SomeofthemwereveteransofjournalismintheSudan，inIndia，inSouthAfrica；andtherewereotherswhoknewasmuchofwarastheycouldlearnbysittingatadeskandeditingtheLondonstockreports。Somewereontheirownhook；somehadhorsesanddragomenandsomehadneithertheonenortheother；manyknewhowtowriteandafewhadityettolearn。Thethingincommonwasaspiritofadventurewhichfoundpleasureintheextraordinarybusinessofseeinghowmenkilleachother。
TheyweretalkingofanartilleryduelwhichhadbeenfoughtthepreviousdaybetweentheGreekbatteriesabovethetownandtheTurkishbatteriesacrosstheriver。Colemantookseatatoneofthelongtables，andtheastutedragomangotsomebodyinthestreettoholdthehorsesinorderthathemightbepresentatanyfeasting。
OneoftheexperiencedcorrespondentswasremarkingthatthefireoftheGreekbatteriesintheengagementhadbeenthefinestartillerypracticeofthecentury。Hespokealittleloudly，perhaps，inthewistfulhopethatsomeoftheGreekofficerswouldunderstandenoughEnglishtofollowhismeaning，foritisalwaysgoodforacorrespondenttoadmiretheprowessonhisownsideofthebattlefield。AfteratimeColemanspokeinalull，anddescribingthesupposedmisfortunesoftheWainwrightparty，askedifanyonehadnewsofthem。Thecorrespondentsweresurprised；theyhadnoneofthemheardevenoftheexistenceofaWainwrightparty。Alsononeofthemseemedtocareexceedingly。TheconversationsoonchangedtoadiscussionoftheprobableresultofthegeneralGreekadvanceannouncedforthemorrow。
ColemansilentlycommentedthatthisremarkableappearanceofindifferencetothemishapoftheWainwrights，alittleparty，asinglegroup，wasabetterdefinitionofarealconditionofwarthanthatbitoflong-rangemusketryofthemorning。Hetookacertaindespatchoutofhispocketandagainreadit。\"FindWainwrightpartyatallhazards；muchtalkhere；successmeansredfirebyton。Eclipse。\"Itwasanimportantmatter。HecouldimaginehowtheAmericanpeople，vibratingforyearstostoriesofthecrueltyoftheTurk，wouldtremble-indeed，wasnowtrembling-whilethenewspapershowledoutthedirepossibilities。Hesawallthekindsofpeople，fromthosewhowouldreadtheWainwrightchaptersfromdaytodayasasortofsensationalnovel，tothosewhowouldworkupagentlesympathyforthewoeofothersaroundthetableintheevenings。Hesawbarkeepersandpolicementakingahighgallerythrilloutofthiskindofromance。HesaweventheemotionamongAmericancollegesoverthetragedyofaprofessorandsomestudents。Itcertainlywasabigaffair。Marjoryofcoursewaseverythinginoneway，butthat，totheworld，wasnotabigaffair。ItwastheromanceoftheWainwrightpartyinitssimplicitythattotheAmericanworldwasarousinggreatsensation；onethatintheolddayswouldhavemadehisheartleaplikeacolt。
Still，whenbatterieshadfoughteachothersavagely，andhorse，footandgunswerenowabouttomakeageneraladvance，itwasdifficult，hecouldsee，tostirmentothinkandfeeloutofthepresentzoneofaction；toadoptforatimeinfactthethoughtsandfeelingsoftheothersideoftheworld。ItmadeColemandejectedashesawclearlythatthetaskwaswhollyonhisownshoulders。
Ofcoursetheyweremenwhowhenathomemanifestedthemostgentleandwide-reachingfeelings；mostofthemcouldnotbyanypossibilityhaveslappedakittenmerelyfortheprankandyetallofthemwhohadseenanunknownmanshotthroughtheheadinbattlehadlittlemoretothinkofitthanifthemanhadbeenarag-baby。Tendertheymightbe；
poetstheymightbe；buttheywereallhornedwithaprovisional，temporary，butabsolutelyessentialcallousewhichwasformedbytheirexistenceamidwarwithitsqualityofmakingthemalwaysthinkofthesightsandsoundsconcealedintheirowndirectfuture。
Theyhadbeensimplypolite。\"Yes？\"saidonetoColeman。
\"Howmanypeopleintheparty？AretheyallAmericans？Oh，I
supposeitwillbequiteright。YourministerinConstantinoplewillarrangethateasily。Wheredidyousay？AtNikopolis？
Well，weconcludethattheTurkswillmakenostandbetweenhereandPentepigadia。InthatcaseyourNikopoliswillbeuncoveredunlessthegarrisonatPrevasaintervenes。ThatgarrisonatPrevasa，bytheway，maymakeadealoftrouble。
RememberPlevna。\"
\"ExactlyhowfarisittoNikopolis？\"askedColeman。
\"Oh，Ithinkitisaboutthirtykilometers，\"repliedtheothers。\"ThereisagoodmiltaryroadassoonasyoucrosstheLourosriver。I\'vegotthemapoftheAustriangeneralstaff。
Wouldyouliketolookatit？\"
Colemanstudiedthemap，speedingwithhiseyerapidlytoandfrobetweenArtaandNikopolis。Tohimitwasmerelyabrownlithographofmystery，buthecouldstudythedistances。
Hehadreceivedacordialinvitationfromthecom-
manderofthecavalrytogowithhimforanotherrideintoTurkey，andheinclinedtobelievethathisprojectwouldbefurtheredifhestuckclosetothecavalry。Soherodebacktothecavalrycampandwentpeacefullytosleeponthesod。Heawokeinthemorningwithchatteringteethtofindhisdragomansayingthatthemajorhadunaccountablywithdrawnhisloanofthetwotroophorses。Colemanofcourseimmediatelysaidtohimselfthatthedragomanwaslyinga-gaininordertopreventanotherexpeditionintoominousTurkey，butafterallifthecommander，ofthecavalryhadsuddenlyturnedthelightofhisfavourfromthecorrespondentitwasonlyaproceedingconsistentwiththenaturewhichColemannowthoughthewasbeginningtodiscern，anaturewhichcanneverthinktwiceinthesameplace，agageousmindwhichdrifts，dissolves，combines，vanisheswiththeabilityofanaerialthinguntilthemanofthenorthfeelsthatwhenheclutchesitwithfullknowledgeofhissensesheisonlythevictimofhisardentimagination。Itisthedifferenceinstandards，increeds，whichisthemoreluminouswhenmencalloutthattheyareallalike。
SoColemanandhisdragomanloadedtheirtrapsandmovedouttoagaininvadeTurkey。Itwasnotyetcleardaylight，buttheyfeltthattheymightwellstartearlysincetheywerenolongermountedmen。
Onthewaytothebridge，thedragoman，althoughhewascuriouslyinlovewithhisfortyfrancsadayandhisopportunities，venturedastoutprotest，basedapparentlyuponthefactthatafterallthisforeigner，fourdaysoutfromAthenswassomewhatathismercy。\"MeesterColeman，\"hesaid，stoppingsuddenly，\"Ithinkwemakenogoodifwegothere。
MuchbetterwewaitArtaforourhorse。Muchbetter。Ithinkthisnogood。ThereiscomingonebigfightandIthinkmuchbetterwegostayArta。Muchbetter。\"
\"Oh，comeoff，\"saidColeman。Andinclearlanguagehebegantolabourwiththeman。\"Lookhere，now，ifyouthinkyouareengagedinsteeringabunchofwooden-headedguysabouttheAcropolis，mydearpartnerofmyjoysandsorrows，youareextremelymistaken。Asamatteroffactyouarenowthedragomanofawarcorrespondentandyouwereengagedandarepaidtobeone。Itbecomesnecessarythatyoumakegood。
Makegood，doyouunderstand？I\'mnotoutheretobebuncoedbythissortofgame。\"HecontinuedindefinitelyinthisstrainandatintervalsheaskedsharplyDoyouunderstand？
PerhapsthedragomanwasdumbfoundedthatthelaconicColemancouldonoccasiontalksomuch，orperhapsheunderstoodeverythingandwasimpressedbytheargumentativepower。Atanyratehesuddenlywilted。Hemadeagesturewhichwasaprotestationofmartyrdomandpickinguphisburdenproceededonhisway。