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DIAMONDS TO SIT ON

of the train, but he managed to jump on to the steps of a carriage, and from here he enjoyed the glorious panorama of the Caucasian mountains. At the Vladikavkaz station the train was met by a large open bus, and a voice called out: ‘ If any one is going by the Georgian military road they’ll be taken into the town for nothing.’ ‘ What are you thinking about. Pussy ? Get in and let them take us for nothing.’ They got in and a few minutes later they were in the town. The bus drew up outside the booking office. Bender was in no hurry to book a seat for travelling along the Georgian military road, so keeping up an ani­ mated conversation with Hippolyte he walked rapidly away from the bus. They had to stay several days in Vladikavkaz. All their efforts to get some money for their journey along the Georgian military road were either fruitless or only provided them with sufficient money for food. There was no opportunity here to collect money from sightseers, for the mountains in the Caucasus were too high and too obvious to be shown as a special exhibit. They could be seen every­ where, and there was nothing else to be shown off in Vladikavkaz. Their joint efforts at begging brought in thirty copecks in two days. ‘ WeU,’ said Bender, ‘ there’s only one thing to be done : we shall have to walk to Tiflis. We can easily do two hundred versts in five days. Don’t you worry, old man ; just think of the wonderful mountain views and fresh air. We don’t need anything else except a little money for bread and sausage. Perhaps you can add a few Italian phrases to your vocabulary. Do whatever you like, but you must bring in two roubles by this evening. And, my dear friend, we shall have to cut out our dinner to-night. Alas ! it is a wearv world ! ’ Early the next morning Bender and Hippolyte crossed the little bridge over the River Terek, walked