I think the English are the brafest kind of beeble.' I also thought it possible there might be trouble; but I decided to go on, not wishing to show fear before that craven.

He cried aloud in awe and wonder when I told him that little boys threw stones in Christian England.
'But only upon unbelievers!' he exclaimed imploringly, as one who would preserve his last illusion.
I replied to the effect that members of the Church of England would, no doubt, have stoned a Baptist or a Roman Catholic with pleasure, if such heretics with us had dressed in a peculiar way; but that, in my opinion, it was only natural instinct in a boy to throw a stone at any living thing which seemed unusual.
The shock this information gave him--or his private terrors--kept him silent through the village; where the people, men and women, watched us pass with what appeared to be unfriendly faces.

I was ill at ease, expecting some attack at every step.
As luck would have it, at the far end of the place, when I could see the open country, and was giving thanks for our escape, a great big stone was thrown by a small boy quite close to me.

It struck me on the arm, and hurt enough to make me really angry.
'For God's sake, sir!' implored my terrified companion, 'Ride on! Do nothing! There are men obserfing.' I heard him taking to his heels.

But I had caught the culprit, and was beating him.