Strange Signs

           AFTERthefirstjoyofthemeetingwasover,Paganelandhisparty,exceptperhapstheMajor,wereonlyconsciousofonefeeling—theyweredyingofthirst.Mostfortunatelyforthem,theGuaminirannotfaroff,andaboutseveninthemorningthelittletroopreachedtheinclosureonitsbanks.Theprecinctswerestrewedwiththedeadwolves,andjudgingfromtheirnumbers,itwasevidenthowviolenttheattackmusthavebeen,andhowdesperatetheresistance.

           Assoonasthetravelershaddrunktheirfill,theybegantodemolishthebreakfastpreparedintheRAMADA,anddidamplejusticetotheextraordinaryviands.TheNANDOUfilletswerepronouncedfirst-rate,andthearmadillowasdelicious.

           "Toeatmoderately,"saidPaganel,"wouldbepositiveingratitudetoProvidence.Wemusteatimmoderately."

           Andsotheydid,butwerenonetheworseforit.ThewateroftheGuaminigreatlyaideddigestionapparently.

           Glenarvan,however,wasnotgoingtoimitateHannibalatCapua,andatteno’clocknextmorninggavethesignalforstarting.Theleathernbottleswerefilledwithwater,andtheday’smarchcommenced.Thehorsesweresowellrestedthattheywerequitefreshagain,andkeptupacanteralmostconstantly.Thecountrywasnotsoparchedupnow,andconsequentlylesssterile,butstilladesert.Noincidentoccurredofanyimportanceduringthe2dand3dofNovember,andintheeveningtheyreachedtheboundaryofthePampas,andcampedforthenightonthefrontiersoftheprovinceofBuenosAyres.Two-thirdsoftheirjourneywasnowaccomplished.