Why not imagine this to be the case now? Brace up.
We'll soon reach the pyramids, and it's a mighty poor pyramid that
hasn't a shady side. On to Cairo!"
"It's easy enough for you to talk," murmured one. "You've got a
camel to ride on and we have to walk."
"Well, Heaven knows," retorted Napoleon, pointing to his camel,
"camel riding isn't like falling off a log. At first I was carried
away with it, but for the last two days it has made me so sea-sick I
can hardly see that hump."
After this there was no more murmuring, but Bonaparte did not for an
instant relax his good-humor.
"The water is vile," said Dessaix, one morning.
"Why not drink milk, then?" asked the commander.
"Milk! I'd love to," returned Dessaix; "but where shall I find
milk?"
"At the dairy," said Napoleon, with a twinkle in his eye.
"What dairy?" asked Dessaix, not observing the twinkle.
"The dromedary," said Napoleon, with a roar.
Little incidents like this served to keep the army in good spirits
until the 21st of July, when they came in sight of the pyramids.
Instantly Napoleon called a halt, and the army rested. The next day,
drawing them up in line, the General addressed them.
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