C6 THE EASTEEN HUNTEES. 



thing; exceedingly ludicrous, for lie burst out laugh- 



O O / 



ing. Ho shortly, however, continued : " I didn't 

 know I had such a turn of speed ; but running in 

 this weather, though internally dry work, is the 

 very reverse externally. Just let me get rid of 

 these wet things, and this brandy-and-water, and I 

 will tell you my adventures. But oh, Lord ! my 

 speed was child's play to the little chap's." 



"What little chap's? what is the joke 1 ?" asked 

 Norman. " It doesn't seem a very dry one ; but 

 let's have it. What have you been up to ? " 



" Come, out with it, Mac," echoed Hawkes. " It 

 is evidently too good to keep all to yourself." 



" Now you two fellows are as curious as a couple 

 of women. However, I have compassion on you. 

 Oh, Lord ! Norman, it was the most ridiculous 

 thing you ever saw. Gad ! How they ran ! and 

 how the little fellow danced ! I shall never forget 

 his face afterwards, and his look of reproach at my 

 laughter. Oh dear ! oh dear ! He will be the 

 death of me ; and the fellow with the tim-tim, 

 too." Saying which, the Scotchman burst into a 

 prolonged roar. 



The intense merriment of the worthy fellow was 

 contagious. Without a bit knowing what he was 

 laughing at, the two others joined in ; much to the 

 discomfiture of the grave. Sheik Hussein, who came 



