‘Why?’
He hesitated.
‘Because it is impassable. The horses will break down.’
‘We will go on till they do,’ I answered sternly. ‘And let this be your last attempt to disobey me. At the next I send you back, and go on without you.’
The man slunk forward, muttering curses, which I affected not to hear. But I had not yet frightened him sufficiently. At the next halt one of the drivers came to me and reported that a horse had gone lame.
‘Bring it here,’ I commanded.
He went away, and returned leading the animal.
‘Go,’ I said sternly. ‘Take the horse back with you, and take rations for three days. Do not let me see you again.’
The driver looked thoroughly crestfallen. He slouched back to his comrades without another word.
I waited till half an hour had passed, then I rose and walked over to the camp-fire, round which my followers were seated, the driver among them.