32 THE EXHILARATIONS OF THE ROAD 



like. Even at this distance his mettle is but little 

 softened. As soon as he gets warmed up, it all 

 comes back to him. He catches your step and away 

 you go, a gay, adventurous, half-predatory couple. 

 How quickly he falls into the old ways of jest and 

 anecdote and song ! You may have known him for 

 years without having heard him hum an air, or more 

 than casually revert to the subject of his experience 

 during the war. You have even questioned and 

 cross-questioned him without firing the train you 

 wished. But get him out on a vacation tramp, and 

 you can walk it all out of him. By the camp-fire at 

 night, or swinging along the streams by day, song, 

 anecdote, adventure, come to the surface, and you 

 wonder how your companion has kept silent so 



long- 

 It is another proof of how walking brings out the 

 true character of a man. The devil never yet asked 

 his victims to take a walk with him. You will not 

 be long in finding your companion out. All dis 

 guises will fall away from him. As his pores open 

 his character is laid bare. His deepest and most 

 private self will come to the top. It matters little 

 with whom you ride, so he be not a pickpocket ; for 

 both of you will, very likely, settle down closer and 

 firmer in your reserve, shaken down like a measure 

 of corn by the jolting as the journey proceeds. But 

 walking is a more vital copartnership; the relation 

 is a closer and more sympathetic one, and you do 



