Page:Kéraban the Inflexible Part 1 (Jules Verne).djvu/166

168 "To this, my young friend," replied the Dutchman in his most amiable manner: "several days spent here in this part of Mingrelia, and as far as Koutaïs, would be well spent; and—"

"So you propose that we should remain some days in Redout-Kalé?"

"Oh, four or five days would suffice."

"Would you make that suggestion to my uncle Kéraban?" said Ahmet somewhat maliciously.

"I! Never, my young friend," replied the Dutchman. "It would give rise to a discussion, and since that regretable dispute about the tobacco, I declare I will never enter into an argument with that excellent man again."

"And you will act wisely."

"But at this moment I am not addressing the terrible Kéraban. I am speaking to my young friend Ahmet."

"You are mistaken, M. Van Mitten," said the young man, taking his hand: "you are not speaking to him at this moment."

"To whom then?"

"To the fiancé of Amasia; and you know that he has not an hour to lose."

As he finished speaking, Ahmet hurried away to complete his preparations; and Van Mitten, much disappointed, was obliged to content himself with a promenade of a very unsatisfactory nature in the little town, accompanied by his faithful but discouraging Bruno.

At midday all the travellers were ready to start again. The chaise, which had been carefully examined and repaired, promised to last for many long journeys. The provision-lockers had been replenished, so there was nothing to fear on the score of food for many versts, or rather "agatchs," since the provinces of Asiatic Turkey were to be traversed during the second portion of the journey: but Ahmet might well congratulate himself on having forestalled every eventuality which might arise either in food or in locomotion.

Seigneur was delighted, as he perceived the journey was being accomplished without accident or incident. How his self-love as an "old Turk" would be flattered when he