14000 MILES 



to get things convenient. To be sure we had to pin up a 

 shawl for a screen in our dressing-room, and a few such 

 little things, but we assured our hostess we could be 

 comfortable and should not be annoyed by the brass 

 band of native talent which would practise in the little 

 dancing-hall close by our rooms. When we went down 

 to supper all was peaceful ; the organ had retired to its 

 corner and things were "picked up" generally. 



There were two ways we could take the next day, but 

 to avoid the mountain we were strongly advised to take 

 the ford. We objected, but yielded at last, being assured 

 it was by far our best course. If it was the best we are 

 heartily glad we took it, and we got through the morn- 

 ing safely, but we are never going there again. We 

 reached the ford in time, but had we not known it was a 

 ford by directions given and unmistakable signs, we 

 should as soon have thought of driving into the sea. The 

 water was high, current strong — how deep we knew not 

 ■ — and it was quite a distance across. Charlie was sensible 

 as before. We tucked our wraps in close, for where roads 

 are made of rocks you cannot expect a smooth-running 

 ford, and in we plunged again. Directly the water was 

 over the hubs, and we felt as if it would reach the 

 carriage top before we could get across. We held our 

 breath in the spot where the current was strongest, but 

 Charlie pulled steadily and all went well. 



We understood our course would be level after the 

 ford. The man must have forgotten the tow-path. From 

 the ford we went right up on to the side of a cliff, and 

 for a mile or more we were on the narrowest road we ever 

 drove on, with the cliff fifty to one hundred feet straight 



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