218 AFRICAN CAMP FIRES. 



" Sefen hundert and feefty rupees," * said he 

 uncompromisingly. 



He was abrupt, blunt, and insulting. As we 

 wanted transportation very much though not 

 seven hundred and fifty rupees' worth we 

 persisted. He offered an imperturbable take-it- 

 or-leave-it stolidity. The motor truck stood 

 near. I said something technical about the 

 engine ; then something more. He answered 

 these remarks, though grudgingly. I suggested 

 that it took a mighty good driver to motor 

 through this rough country. He mentioned a 

 particular hill. I proposed that we should try 

 the station restaurant for beer while he told me 

 about it. He grunted, but headed for the 

 station. 



For two hours we listened to the most blatant 

 boasting. He was a great driver ; he had driven 

 for M., the American millionaire ; for the Chinese 

 Ambassador to France ; for Grand-Duke Alexis ; 

 for the Kaiser himself ! We learned how he had 

 been the trusted familiar of these celebrities, how 

 on various occasions all detailed at length he 

 had been treated by them as an equal ; and he 

 told us sundry sly, slanderous, and disgusting 

 anecdotes of these worthies, his forefinger laid one 



* Fifty pounds. 



