Bodily strength he had also, in perfection; but I
mean now the firm self-reliant nature, quick at resources,
ready to act as to decide, and full of the power that has its
spring and magazine in character alone. So, enjoying each
other, we went slowly up the zigzags of the hill, very steep
in places, and very rough to the foot; but the last pitch was
smoother, and there the grey old bulwarks of the ruined
fortification faced down upon us, just above.
"Now," said Mr. Thorold, coming on the outside of me to
prevent it, — "don't look!" — and we turned into the entrance
of the fort, between two outstanding walls. Going through, we
hurried up a little steep rise, till we got to a smooth spread
of grass, sloping gently to a level with the top of the wall.
Where this slope reached its highest, where the parapet (as Mr
Thorold called it) commanded a clear view from the eastern
side, there he brought me, and then permitted me to stand
still. I do not know how long I stood quite still without
speaking.
"Will you sit down?" said my companion; and I found he had
spread a pocket-handkerchief on the bank for me.
Pages:
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480