ABSTRACT

I had been resting for a little time and, as I was about to continue my journey, I looked back and saw a man in the distance, coming towards me. Seeing that he was going my way, I settled down again, to wait for him, watching his movements as he came along. I noticed at once that he was walking at a fast pace, but what surprised me was that he often came to a halt and made his hands feel various parts of his clothes. My first impression was that he had lost something and was searching for it. I saw him halt quite a number of times and make these quick movements, feeling down both his legs, then in his bosom, and sometimes up both his sleeves. “ The poor fellow is in a terrible state of worry,” thought I ; “ perhaps he has lost silver, or even gold, which has been his savings. Such a loss would be almost madness to a poor looking25 man like that.” However, these thoughts did not last long, for I soon came to the conclusion that the man was scratching himself, owing to the attack of fleas.