India 2001 books

He was a charming fellow, though very
silent. Once when Jo had remarked upon this silence he had answered,
"When a man has no longer any legs it is fitting that he should be
silent."
He was waiting for his father, who lived twelve hours away in the
mountains. The old man came with a donkey, and there was a most
affecting meeting between the old father and his poor mutilated son.
Tears flowed freely on either side, for Serbs are still simple enough to
be unashamed of emotion. The donkey had an ordinary saddle, on to which
our friend was hoisted. He balanced tentatively for a moment, then shook
his head. A pack-saddle was substituted.
"It is hard," he said, "young enough, and yet like a useless bale of
goods."
Twenty hours he had endured, and yet had twelve to go--thirty-two hours
for a man without legs. This will show of what some Serbs are made.
Within the office we found a professor whom we had met before, and who
was acting as assistant mayor. We took him to the station and estimated
that thirty-two waggons would deal with our stuff.


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