The burthens unstrapped from the pack-saddles very quickly
furnished our den: a couple of quilts spread upon the floor, with
a carpet-bag at the head of each, became capital sofas--
portmanteaus, and hat-boxes, and writing-cases, and books, and
maps, and gleaming arms soon lay strewed around us in pleasant
confusion. Mysseri's canteen too began to yield up its treasures,
but we relied upon finding some provisions in the village. At
first the natives declared that their hens were mere old maids and
all their cows unmarried, but our Tatar swore such a grand sonorous
oath, and fingered the hilt of his yataghan with such persuasive
touch, that the land soon flowed with milk, and mountains of eggs
arose.
And soon there was tea before us, with all its unspeakable
fragrance, and as we reclined on the floor, we found that a
portmanteau was just the right height for a table; the duty of
candlesticks was ably performed by a couple of intelligent natives;
the rest of the villagers stood by the open doorway at the lower
end of the room, and watched our banqueting with grave and devout
attention.
The first night of your first campaign (though you be but a mere
peaceful campaigner) is a glorious time in your life.
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