"Well, possibly I may try the experiment some day when I feel that
I must either lie down by the roadside and sleep or take a dip,
but until I feel like breaking down altogether I shall postpone
the experiment."

Turenne several times spoke approvingly to Hector. On one occasion,
when the lad presented himself on being told that an aide-de-camp
was required to carry a message, Turenne said to him: "But it is
not your turn, Campbell; de Lisle and Chavigny both returned some
hours ago, while it is not an hour since you came in."

"They are both asleep, general," Campbell said; "they have been
thirty-six hours in the saddle."

"But you have been more than that, Campbell?"

"But I do not feel it, sir," he said. "I am perfectly fresh and
ready to go on. I was a little tired when I came in, but I have
taken a swim in the river, and am now at your service."

Turenne hesitated. "You see, sir," Hector went on, "being of light
weight the horse does not feel it as he does that of a heavier
man, his pace continues light and elastic, and his spirit good, and
that makes all the difference to the fatigue of his rider. After
two days' rest my horses are perfectly ready for another long
day's work, while those of Chavigny and de Lisle start heavily,
not having recovered from their fatigue."

"Very well, you can go then, Campbell. I am pleased with your
spirit, and also with your thoughtfulness for your companions,