an inland voyage-第6章
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d stillness； and remind you of the glittering citizens below your boat。
The Sambre turned so industriously to and fro among his little hills； that it was past six before we drew near the lock at Quartes。 There were some children on the tow…path； with whom the CIGARETTE fell into a chaffing talk as they ran along beside us。 It was in vain that I warned him。 In vain I told him； in English； that boys were the most dangerous creatures； and if once you began with them； it was safe to end in a shower of stones。 For my own part； whenever anything was addressed to me； I smiled gently and shook my head as though I were an inoffensive person inadequately acquainted with French。 For indeed I have had such experience at home； that I would sooner meet many wild animals than a troop of healthy urchins。
But I was doing injustice to these peaceable young Hainaulters。 When the CIGARETTE went off to make inquiries； I got out upon the bank to smoke a pipe and superintend the boats； and became at once the centre of much amiable curiosity。 The children had been joined by this time by a young woman and a mild lad who had lost an arm； and this gave me more security。 When I let slip my first word or so in French； a little girl nodded her head with a comical grown…up air。 'Ah； you see；' she said； 'he understands well enough now； he was just making believe。' And the little group laughed together very good…naturedly。
They were much impressed when they heard we came from England； and the little girl proffered the information that England was an island 'and a far way from here … BIEN LOIN D'ICI。'
'Ay； you may say that； a far way from here；' said the lad with one arm。
I was as nearly home…sick as ever I was in my life； they seemed to make it such an incalculable distance to the place where I first saw the day。 They admired the canoes very much。 And I observed one piece of delicacy in these children； which is worthy of record。 They had been deafening us for the last hundred yards with petitions for a sail； ay； and they deafened us to the same tune next morning when we came to start； but then； when the canoes were lying empty； there was no word of any such petition。 Delicacy？ or perhaps a bit of fear for the water in so crank a vessel？ I hate cynicism a great deal worse than I do the devil； unless perhaps the two were the same thing？ And yet 'tis a good tonic； the cold tub and bath…towel of the sentiments； and positively necessary to life in cases of advanced sensibility。
From the boats they turned to my costume。 They could not make enough of my red sash； and my knife filled them with awe。
'They make them like that in England；' said the boy with one arm。 I was glad he did not know how badly we make them in England now…a… days。 'They are for people who go away to sea；' he added； 'and to defend one's life against great fish。'
I felt I was becoming a more and more romantic figure to the little group at every word。 And so I suppose I was。 Even my pipe； although it was an ordinary French clay pretty well 'trousered；' as they call it； would have a rarity in their eyes； as a thing coming from so far away。 And if my feathers were not very fine in themselves； they were all from over seas。 One thing in my outfit； however； tickled them out of all politeness； and that was the bemired condition of my canvas shoes。 I suppose they were sure the mud at any rate was a home product。 The little girl （who was the genius of the party） displayed her own sabots in competition； and I wish you could have seen how gracefully and merrily she did it。
The young woman's milk…can； a great amphora of hammered brass； stood some way off upon the sward。 I was glad of an opportunity to divert public attention from myself； and return some of the compliments I had received。 So I admired it cordially both for form and colour； telling them； and very truly； that it was as beautiful as gold。 They were not surprised。 The things were plainly the boast of the countryside。 And the children expatiated on the costliness of these amphorae； which sell sometimes as high as thirty francs apiece； told me how they were carried on donkeys； one on either side of the saddle； a brave caparison in themselves； and how they were to be seen all over the district； and at the larger farms in great number and of great size。
PONT…SUR…SAMBRE
WE ARE PEDLARS
THE CIGARETTE returned with good news。 There were beds to be had some ten minutes' walk from where we were； at a place called Pont。 We stowed the canoes in a granary； and asked among the children for a guide。 The circle at once widened round us； and our offers of reward were received in dispiriting silence。 We were plainly a pair of Bluebeards to the children； they might speak to us in public places； and where they had the advantage of numbers； but it was another thing to venture off alone with two uncouth and legendary characters； who had dropped from the clouds upon their hamlet this quiet afternoon； sashed and be…knived； and with a flavour of great voyages。 The owner of the granary came to our assistance； singled out one little fellow and threatened him with corporalities； or I suspect we should have had to find the way for ourselves。 As it was； he was more frightened at the granary man than the strangers； having perhaps had some experience of the former。 But I fancy his little heart must have been going at a fine rate； for he kept trotting at a respectful distance in front； and looking back at us with scared eyes。 Not otherwise may the children of the young world have guided Jove or one of his Olympian compeers on an adventure。
A miry lane led us up from Quartes with its church and bickering windmill。 The hinds were trudging homewards from the fields。 A brisk little woman passed us by。 She was seated across a donkey between a pair of glittering milk…cans； and； as she went； she kicked jauntily with her heels upon the donkey's side； and scattered shrill remarks among the wayfarers。 It was notable that none of the tired men took the trouble to reply。 Our conductor soon led us out of the lane and across country。 The sun had gone down； but the west in front of us was one lake of level gold。 The path wandered a while in the open； and then passed under a trellis like a bower indefinitely prolonged。 On either hand were shadowy orchards； cottages lay low among the leaves； and sent their smoke to heaven； every here and there； in an opening； appeared the great gold face of the west。
I never saw the CIGARETTE in such an idyllic frame of mind。 He waxed positively lyrical in praise of country scenes。 I was little less exhilarated myself； the mild air of the evening； the shadows； the rich lights and the silence； made a symphonious accompaniment about our walk； and we both determined to avoid towns for the future and sleep in hamlets。
At last the path went between two houses； and turned the party out into a wide muddy high…road； bordered； as far as the eye could reach on either hand； by an unsightly village。 The houses stood well back； leaving a ribbon of waste land on either side of the road； where there were stacks of firewood； carts； barrows； rubbish… heaps； and a little doubtful grass。 Away on the left； a gaunt tower stood in the middle of the street。 What it had been in past ages； I know not： probably a hold in time of war； but now…a…days it bore an illegible dial…plate in its upper parts； and near the bottom an iron letter…box。
The inn to which we had been recommended at Quartes was full； or else the landlady did not like our looks。 I ought to say； that with our long； damp india…rubber bags； we presented rather a doubtful type of civilisation： like rag…and…bone men； the CIGARETTE imagined。 'These gentlemen are pedlars？ … CES MESSIEURS SONT DES MARCHANDS？' … asked the landlady。 And then； without waiting for an answer； which I suppose she thought superfluous in so plain a case； recommended us to a butcher who lived hard by the tower； and took in travellers to lodge。
Thither went we。 But the butcher was flitting； and all his beds were taken down。 Or else he di
