For some minutes the couple walked along in silence. At last Rattling Bill spoke. "I wonder," he said, "why it is that a young and healthy fellow like me should break down sooner than you, Stevenson, for I'm both bigger and stronger--and yet, look at us new. Ain't it strange! I wonder why it is." "It is strange, indeed," returned the marine quietly. "P'r'aps the climate suits me better than you." "I know what you're thinkin'," said Simkin, almost testily. "Why don't you say that _drink_ is the cause of it--straight out, like a man?" "Because I knew you were saying that to yourself, lad, so there was no need for me to say it," returned his friend, with a side-glance and a twinkle of the eyes. "Well, whoever says it, it's a fact," continued Simkin, almost sternly, "an' I make no bones of admitting it. I have bin soakin' away, right and left, since I came to this country, in spite o' warnin's from you and other men like you, and now I feel as if all my boasted strength was goin' out at my heels." Stevenson was silent. "Why don't you say `I told you so?'" asked Simkin, sharply. "Because I _never_ say that! It only riles people; besides," continued the marine, earnestly, "I was asking God at the moment to enable me to answer you wisely. You see, I think it only fair to reveal some of my private thoughts to _you_, since you are making a father-confessor of _me_. But as you admit that drink has done you damage, my dear fellow, there is no need for me to say anything more on that subject. What you want now is encouragement as to the future and advice as to the present. Shall I give you both just now, or shall I wait?" "`Commence firing!'" replied Simkin, with a half-jesting smile. "Well, then, as to encouragement," said Stevenson. "A point of vital importance with men who have gone in for drink as much as you have, is total-abstinence; and I regard it as an evidence of God's love to you that He has brought you here--" "God's love that brought me _here_!" exclaimed the soldier in surprise. "Well, that _is_ a view o' the case that don't seem quite plain." "Plain enough if you open your eyes wide enough. See here: If you was in camp now, with your present notions, and was to determine to give up drink, you'd have to face and fight two most tremendous devils. One devil is called Craving, the other is called Temptation, and all the Arabs in the Soudan rolled into one are not so terrible or so strong as these two when a man is left to fight them by himself. Now, is it not a sign of our Father's love that he has, by bringing you here, removed the devil Temptation entirely out of your way, for you can't get strong drink here for love or money. So, you see, you have only got Craving to fight, and that's encouraging, ain't it?"