Books for you

While he was still
hesitating there came a helpful intervention. Behind him he saw a
peasant appearing and disappearing behind trees and projecting rock
masses, and coming across the previous plank at a vigorous trot. . . .
Under the stimulus of a spectator Benham got to the end of this
third place without much trouble. Then very politely he stood aside
for the expert to go ahead so that he could follow at his own pace.
There were, however, more difficulties yet to come, and a
disagreeable humiliation. That confounded peasant developed a
parental solicitude. After each crossing he waited, and presently
began to offer advice and encouragement. At last came a place where
everything was overhanging, where the Bisse was leaking, and the
plank wet and slippery. The water ran out of the leak near the brim
of the wooden channel and fell in a long shivering thread of silver.
THERE WAS NO SOUND OF ITS FALL. It just fell--into a void. Benham
wished he had not noted that. He groaned, but faced the plank; he
knew this would be the slowest affair of all.


Pages:
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39