'
"'Pardon me,' I answered, as I placed a bundle of straw upon the
fire and slightly stirred it. Then I turned quickly, but already
we had passed out of sight of La Muette. Astonished, I cast a
glance towards the river. I perceived the confluence of the
Oise. And naming the principal bends of the river by the places
nearest them, I cried, 'Passy, St. Germain, St. Denis, Sevres!'
"'If you look at the river in that fashion you will be likely to
bathe in it soon,' cried Roziers. 'Some fire, my dear friend,
some fire!'
"We travelled on; but instead of crossing the river, as our
direction seemed to indicate, we bore towards the Invalides, then
returned upon the principal bed of the river, and travelled to
above the barrier of La Conference, thus dodging about the river,
but not crossing it.
"'That river is very difficult to cross,' I remarked to my
companion.
"'So it seems,' he answered; 'but you are doing nothing I suppose
it is because you are braver than 1, and don't fear a tumble.'
"I stirred the fire, I seized a truss of straw with my fork; I
raised it and threw it in the midst of the flames. An instant
afterwards I felt myself lifted as it were into the heavens.
"'For once we move,' said I.
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