Page:A child of the Orient (IA childoforient00vakarich).pdf/150

 there were others in the woods, for presently many more came up, and, with somewhat sardonic humour, bade us welcome.

"We are sorry to have to blindfold you," said one, and took a big red pocket-handkerchief from his pocket, which he began to fold on the bias, for my eyes.

"Please, pallikari, do you mind using my handkerchief?" I asked.

"If it will please you, kera mou."

I handed him my handkerchief.

"Ma! that's too small."

"Can't you use two together?" I asked, giving him another.

He took them and tied the ends together, then slipped the bandage over my eyes, while another held up the lantern for him to see by.

"Empross!" (Forward!) they said.

I felt a big rough hand take mine, and we started off into the thick woods. We were mounting gradually, and the underbrush became thicker. Presently I tripped and fell.

"More Mitso!" my guide called to some one ahead. "Come back and make a chair with me to carry the little girl. She is stumbling."

The other returned; they joined their hands together, and I took my seat on them, placing my arms around the men's necks. I was neither frightened for the present nor apprehensive for the future: I was merely excited and enjoying