“If you keep with me,” said George, “nobody will ask for passports or what you do. They are all very busy.”
“Yes; but I should like to hear some of the Englishmen talk. They might remember me. I was known here a long time ago—when I was some one indeed.”
“A long time ago is a very long time ago here. The graveyards are full.
Now listen. This new railway runs out so far as Tanai-el-Hassan—that is seven miles. Then there is a camp. They say that beyond Tanai-el-Hassan the English troops go forward, and everything that they require will be brought to them by this line.”
“Ah! Base camp. I see. That’s a better business than fighting Fuzzies in the open.”
“For this reason even the mules go up in the iron-train.”
“Iron what?”
“It is all covered with iron, because it is still being shot at.”
“An armoured train. Better and better! Go on, faithful George.”
“And I go up with my mules to-night. Only those who particularly require to go to the camp go out with the train. They begin to shoot not far from the city.”