But no man knows what good fortune may lurk in an evil chance.
At the close of a stormy day we sighted Basel from the top of a hill, and soon the lights, one by one, began to twinkle cosily through the gloaming.

All day long drizzling rain and spitting snow had blown in our faces like lance points, driven down the wind straight from the icy Alps.

We were chilled to the bone; in all my life I have never beheld a sight so comforting as the home lights of the quaint old Swiss city.
Franz soon found a wherry and, after crossing the Rhine, we marched slowly down the river street, ducking our heads to the blast.

Within half an hour we passed under a stone archway and found ourselves snug in the haven of our merchant's courtyard.

Even the sumpter mules rejoiced, and gave forth a chorus of brays that did one's heart good.