through Spain, Italy, Switzerland, and France, and
had accomplished the practically impossible feat of
beating his way three hundred miles on a French
railway without being caught at the finish. Where
was I hanging out? he asked. And how did I
manage for kipping ? which means sleeping. Did
I know the rounds yet ? He was getting on,
though the country was horstyl and the cities
were bum. Fierce, wasn t it ? Couldn t batter
(beg) anywhere without being pinched. But he
wasn t going to quit it. Buffalo Bill s Show was
coming over soon, and a man who could drive
eight horses was sure of a job any time. These
mugs over here didn t know beans about driving
anything more than a span. What was the matter
with me hanging on and waiting for Buffalo Bill ?
He was sure I could ring in somehow.

And so, after all, blood is thicker than water.
We were fellow-countrymen and strangers in a
strange land. I had warmed to his battered old
hat at sight of it, and he was as solicitous for my
welfare as if we were blood brothers. We swapped
all manner of useful information concerning the
country and the ways of its people, methods by
which to obtain food and shelter and what not, and
we parted genuinely sorry at having to say good-by.

One thing particularly conspicuous in this crowd
was the shortness of stature. I, who am but of

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v?