"No matter. We must pick our way through it as well as we can, and get out of it as soon as possible." "Yes," said he, "so you must. But then it's so dismally long--a league and a half, if not near upon two." "No matter, no matter; we shall find the end of it, sooner or later, I hope." "How unfortunate, though, you ride a pony!" said he. "Why, you'd get through a thousand times better on horseback. You'll be caked with dirt up to your middle." "Oh, never mind that. Dirt will brush off." "Ah! I only wish you could have started earlier," said the captain. "It's now just upon sunset; and, with such a night as this, in another half-hour or so you'll have it pitch-dark." "Well, we must do the best we can, you know. If we can't see our way, we must feel it." "Yes, that's just what I was thinking," said he. "You'll have to grope for it, no doubt. But then, unfortunately, from the present state of the road, you'll find that far from agreeable. One time you'll lay hold of a dead bullock; another, of a dead man." "Never mind, never mind. Of course, in the dark, we shan't be able to tell the difference, so it won't matter which." "Hang it all!" said Captain Gabion. "I can't express to you how vexed I feel on your account. Why, I came through this lane myself a day or two ago, and could hardly get along, though it was daylight. What will you ever do, with all this convoy at your heels, passing it by night? Why, it's darker already than when you started." "Well, at any rate we shall have a hedge on each side of us. That will tell us where we are, if we have no other clue." "Yes, yes," said he; "very true; so it will. It's dreadful slow work, though, feeling your way, after dark, through a long, puddly lane, knee-deep in mire, by the help of the hedge--especially if there happens to be a ditch between, which you'll find to be the case. In short, I'm so perfectly convinced you'll be stuck for the night, I shall make a point to-morrow of sending a working party, before noon, if possible, to dig you all out; that is, if you are to be found above the surface. If not, you know, we must bore for you, or sink a shaft." "Thank you, thank you; much obliged. Hope you'll remember and send some breakfast at the same time." "Why, Mr Y----," roared Captain Gabion, bursting into an incontrollable fit of laughter, "I really do think you'll make a good campaigner in time--that is, if you have practice enough. Well, now I must say good evening, and leave you to pursue your journey. My boots are thin, and the lane is getting soppy. By the bye, Mr Y----, I don't suppose I have anything to offer that you are not well provided with; but allow me to ask, how are you off for cigars?" "Cigars? Of course, in France, cigars may be bought anywhere and everywhere. Haven't above a day's provision, if I have that."