CHAPTER XII 
Geological Speculation — Beautiful Pasture-land 
T HE stars were of extraordinary brilliancy at night; 
so brilliant that one could see quite well enough by 
their light to get about. The atmosphere being 
extremely clear, they appeared of immense size, the 
planets shining with dazzling, changing colours, which 
would have filled even the most profane with reverence 
for their splendour. 
I drew the attention of my men to the wonderful 
sight. 
“They are stars!” they replied contemptuously; 
“ Have you never seen stars before? ” 
It was indeed difficult to enter into conversation on 
any subject with them without having an ardent desire 
to strangle the lot, they were so ignorantly offensive. I 
was thankful I had the sense always to go about unarmed, 
or I am certain some of them would have paid somewhat 
dearly for their impertinence. I was glad, too, that I 
never felt the weight of loneliness, as days and days 
would go by without my saying a word to them, barring 
perhaps a shout in camp to bring my breakfast, lunch, or 
dinner. 
What was even worse than entering into conversation 
with them was to listen—one could not help it, they 
shouted so loudly all the time — to the conversation 
among themselves. We will not refer to the choice lan¬ 
guage they used, so inexplicably sacrilegious and indec¬ 
orous that it would have set on edge the teeth of the 
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