THE DESERT AND THE ROSE 211 



We worm our upward way, in and out, through 

 sand to the hubs — heartbreaking sand ! 



"How would you like to camp up here?" R. says 

 abruptly. 



"Not bad," I retort by way of encouragement. 



"Warm enough now, but we'd freeze at night!" 

 And he speaks no more for a long time. Once 

 in a while I steal a glance at him; he looks some- 

 what careworn, though the car grinds steadily on. 



"Pull, pull, little old car !" I break forth at" last. 

 "Earn your keep !" 



But criticism, even of the faintest, is not ac- 

 ceptable. 



"It will. Don't worry about this car !" 



It does. We top the crest of the long ascent, and 

 with a shout my chauffeur hails the telephone poles 

 now close at hand. 



"That's the Government road!" Now we're all 

 right !" 



Which goes to prove that we have not always 

 been all right. 



And it is a road indeed, worthy of the great gods ! 

 Away we go, down, down into the Valley, rounding 

 the corners exhilaratingly — all is smooth sailing. 



"Let's coast !" I rashly cry. 



He mutters something and we coast. It is hea- 

 ven — until it is not, and we skid with haste and some 

 display of violence. A poor driver would have sent 

 us into the abyss below, but things being as they are 

 I remain calm and unmoved. My present chauf- 

 feur might conduct me up and down a precipice, and 

 I should remain ever calm. 



