Do you think, Mr.Stephens, that if I were to knit that black soldier a pair of woollen stockings he would be allowed to wear them?
The poor creature has bandages round his legs." "Those are his putties, Miss Adams," said Colonel Cochrane, looking back at her.

"We have found in India that they are the best support to the leg in marching.

They are very much better than any stocking." "Well, you don't say! They remind me mostly of a sick horse.

But it's elegant to have the soldiers with us, though Monsieur Fardet tells me there's nothing for us to be scared about." "That is only my opinion, Miss Adams," said the Frenchman hastily.
"It may be that Colonel Cochrane thinks otherwise." "It is Monsieur Fardet's opinion against that of the officers who have the responsibility of caring for the safety of the frontier," said the Colonel coldly.

"At least we will all agree that they have the effect of making the scene very much more picturesque." The desert upon their right lay in long curves of sand, like the dunes which might have fringed some forgotten primeval sea.