"Oh!" cried the general, shaking the arm of the guide violently, "will you leave us to be burnt thus, without making an effort to save us?"
"What can be done against the will of God?" the Babbler replied, stoically.
"Are there no means, then, of preserving us from death?"
"None!"
"There is one!" a man cried, who, with a scorched face, and half-burnt hair, rushed into the camp, climbing over the baggage, and followed by another individual.
"Who are you?" the general exclaimed.
"That is of little consequence," the stranger replied, drily; "I come to save you! My companion and I were out of danger; to succour you we have braved unheard-of perils—that should satisfy you. Your safety is in your own hands; you have only to will it."
"Command!" the general replied, "I will be the first to give you the example of obedience."
"Have you no guides with you, then?"
"Certainly we have," said the general.