"I run after. Then,
when I am to come to the trail"--he paused to find the English word, and
could not--"encore to this trail I no can. So. Ah, bon Dieu, it has
so awful!" He swayed and would have fallen, but she caught him, bore
him up. She was so strong, and he was as slight as a girl, though tall.
"When was that?" she asked.
"Two nights ago," he answered, and swayed. "Wait," she said, and pulled
a flask from her pocket. "Drink this-quick."
He raised it to his lips, but her hand was still on it, and she only let
him take a little. Then she drew it away, though she had almost to use
force, he was so eager for it. Now she took a biscuit from her pocket.
"Eat; then some more brandy after," she urged. "Come on; it's not far.
See, there's the light," she added cheerily, raising her head towards the
hut.
"I saw it just when I have fall down--it safe me. I sit down to die--
like that! But it safe me, that light--so. Ah, bon Dieu, it was so far,
and I want eat so!" Already he had swallowed the biscuit.
"When did you eat last?" she asked, as she urged him on.
"Two nights--except for one leetla piece of bread--O--O--I fin' it in my
pocket. Grace! I have travel so far. Jesu, I think it ees ten thousan'
miles I go.
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