* * * *
It was far from a pleasure trip, that 107-mile ride to the delta, which we reached about 3 in the afternoon. The presence of that silent, stoical figure at the wheel lay like a load on the weary eye.” It tried my nerves, and I believe that even the iron nerve of Clarke was not immune to the influence, for in an hour or two he arose, and motioning me to take the wheel, with a few passes and a snapping of the fingers he brought our unwilling guest back to a normal state. At first he sat dazed and awed, but as his senses returned his ire rose and he poured forth in mingled French and English a perfect torrent of abuse. Clarke watched him, ready to forestall any attempt at violence.
“You have seen what may happen to you,” said my confrere quietly, when there was at last a lull. “Now
