Well, these are strange travellers, thought I--and they have strange luggage! They loaded the boxes and bales onto the chariots, and harnessed to them the least fine-looking of the horses; a number of men, who seemed to be the servants of Mr. Oldham, took the horses by the bridle, or mounted on the chariots, and all were moving off, when Moukounj arrived!
He was not very drunk, and he went at once to Mr. Oldham to offer his services. It was too late.--But as he pointed towards me, Mr. Oldham said to him:
"Ah! You are the owner of that intelligent beast? You had better come to the Hotel Victoria, and ask for Mr. John Hardwick, Director of the _'Grand Circus of the Two Worlds'_--he may have something to say to you that will be to your advantage."
And Mr. Oldham went off with the chariots and baggage.
At first Moukounj never thought of going to see Mr. John Hardwick. He could not understand what the Director of the "_Circus of the Two Worlds_" could have to say to him. But fate ordained that for the next two days we had almost no work, and were reduced to the verge of starvation. It was then that he remembered Mr. Oldham's invitation. He thought that even if Mr. Hardwick had nothing of importance to propose, he might at least take pity on him, and give him a little something in charity.
So, having warned me--a useless precaution--to remain patiently where I was, he set off for the Victoria Hotel.
In about an hour Moukounj returned, joyous, and as he came near me he embraced my trunk.
"Ah! my brave companion! My faithful friend! How great is the wisdom of the Sage who says: '_He who is clever will be a stranger in no country; for him who is contented with little, there is no anxiety; for him who is wise, there are no surprises; for him who is determined, nothing is impossible!_'--How true are these sayings! And equally so is this one: '_The life of mankind is as uncertain as the reflection of the Moon on water; for this reason we must practise Virtue!_' ... Yes--yes--we must practise Virtue; and it is because I have done so, and because I have so cheerfully endured my misfortunes, that to-day the Gods have sent me better luck!"
He ceased speaking, and danced around me, clapping his hands. Then he resumed: