At various times on these
occasions I got from him that when he left the shepherd's hut, he thought
his illness had run itself out, and that he should now reach the port
from which he was to sail for S. Francisco without misadventure. This he
did, and he was able to do all he had to do at the port, though
frequently attacked with passing fits of giddiness. I need not dwell
upon his voyage to S. Francisco, and thence home; it is enough to say
that he was able to travel by himself in spite of gradually, but
continually, increasing failure.
"When," he said, "I reached the port, I telegraphed as you know, for more
money. How puzzled you must have been. I sold my horse to the man from
whom I bought it, at a loss of only about 10 pounds, and I left with him
my saddle, saddle-bags, small hatchet, my hobbles, and in fact everything
that I had taken with me, except what they had impounded in Erewhon.
Yram's rug I dropped into the river when I knew that I should no longer
need it--as also her substitutes for my billy and pannikin; and I burned
her basket. The shepherd would have asked me questions. You will find
an order to deliver everything up to bearer. You need therefore take
nothing from England."
At another time he said, "When you go, for it is plain I cannot, and go
one or other of us must, try and get the horse I had: he will be nine
years old, and he knows all about the rivers: if you leave everything to
him, you may shut your eyes, but do not interfere with him.
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