Oscard gave the signal to the bearers, and the march began. There
is something in the spring of human muscles unlike any other motive
power; the power of thought may be felt even on the pole of a
litter, and one thing that modern invention can never equal is the
comfort of being carried on the human shoulder. The slow swinging
movement came to be a part of Jack Meredith's life--indeed, life
itself seemed to be nothing but a huge journey thus peacefully
accomplished. Through the flapping curtains an endless procession
of trees passed before his half-closed eyes. The unintelligible
gabble of the light-hearted bearers of his litter was all that
reached his ears. And ever at his side was Joseph--cheerful,
indefatigable, resourceful. There was in his mind one of the
greatest happinesses of life--the sense of something satisfactorily
accomplished--the peacefulness that comes when the necessity for
effort is past and left behind--that lying down to rest which must
surely be something like Death in its kindest form.
The awe inspired by Victor Durnovo's name went before the little
caravan like a moral convoy and cleared their path. Thus guarded by
the name of a man whom he hated, Jack Meredith was enabled to pass
through a savage country literally cast upon a bed of sickness.
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