At this moment the caravan moved on, but, the ice having been broken, we continued our conversation as we went, and while Aminé furnished me with a full and detailed account of her life from birth to the current date, including her capture while on a journey, I replied with an autobiography more remarkable for careful editing than strict veracity. “What is amiss with thy foot?” I enquired presently, observing that she limped as if in pain. “I struck it against a rock two days ago,” she replied. “It must be wearisome to carry thy burden with a lame foot,” I said, for she bore on her head a bundle of rolled-up mats. “It is,” she replied simply, and then resumed her cheerful and vivacious babble and unending reminiscences. I was deeply touched by her stoical uncomplaining endurance of what must have been rather severe suffering, for her foot was swollen and evidently tender, and I took an early opportunity of speaking to Maháma on the subject. “The maid is but ill fitted to carry a burden,” I said. “She is barely able to walk.” “It is no affair of thine,” replied Maháma, frowning. “I would rather carry it myself than see her limping under its weight,” said I. “Wilt thou set it on my head next time we halt?” “Why dost thou wish to carry it?” demanded Maháma suspiciously. “Is it that thou art a fool, that thou wouldst carry a burden when thou mightest walk at thine ease?” “I would help the maid who is a captive like myself,” I replied. “Besides,” I added with a sudden inspiration, “the sun is hot, and I have neither turban nor hat.” This explanation appeared to satisfy him, and when we next halted, while the head of the column waded through a deep stream, he transferred Aminé’s burden to me, not without some protests on her part, fastening my right wrist to the cord of the bundle. My little act of altruism had its reward, for although it was a discomfort to have my wrist tied up in this way, the bundle afforded a most grateful shade, while its weight was inconsiderable. Our caravan travelled at a steady pace the greater part of the day, two halts being made for rest and food, which latter consisted of a miserably small allowance for each slave of a kind of porridge and some white beans plainly boiled; and as I finished my meagre ration, which barely took the edge off my hunger, I thought regretfully of the grass-cutters on the hillside and even of the affaní.