acrossasiaminoro00chiluoft

I'JO
ACROSS ASIA MINOR ON FOOT
was of middle height, wide across the shoulders, lean
aud tough-looking. But it was as to face that my
first impressions had been most widely astray. He
was, in truth, a handsome old man, with sharp, cleancut
features, prominent forehead, and hawk - like
glance. The smile of senility that I had noted with
apprehension at a little distance became, on a nearer
view, a smile of superior and almost condescending
amusement at the proposed journey—as of one grown
old on the road who laughs at the scheme of a
beginner. It dawned upon me then that I had to
do with no ordinary person, either in intelligence fir
private history. But I still suspected his physical
capacity. Thirty years ago, no doubt, he had been
as tough as any ; now, however, I feared he might
break down after we had got well on the way.
Asked by the doctor how many hours he could
walk daily, he said, six, eight, or ten, and laughed
at the question as one indicating foolish doubt. He
knew all the country through which I wished to go,
knew the roads and paths, knew the guest-houses
and khans. Going farther afield, he knew Aleppo and
Damascus and Beirut, had been in Konia and Angora,
Selefke, Karaman, Tarsus, Adana, and even to Ajemistan.
By this time I seemed to have found the very
guide I wanted ; for if as tough and hearty as he
claimed to be, his age and experience would be advantageous.
His name he gave as Ighsan. As for
his horse., he said there was no better in Kaisariyeh.
By this time I had grown to regard him as a
fortunate discovery ; I said he would do, and he and
the steward then stepped aside to arrange terms of
service. For the sum of one medjidie (3s. 4d.) a day,
it
was agreed that he should go with me anywhere.
He was to feed himself and his horse for this sum,
and take his discharge wherever it suited me to get
rid of him, nor was there to be any claim for the
return journey. In two days' time he was to meet
me at a khan at Kaisariyeh, and bring his horse, and
be ready to set out.