Indeed, whether
it can be done at all in two is doubtful. But it can be done in two
days, two nights, and half the third day. So if I plan it thus I shall
achieve it; namely, to march say forty-five miles or more to-day, and
to sleep rough at the end of it. My food may cost me altogether three
francs. I march the next day twenty-five to thirty, my food costing me
another three francs. Then with the remaining two francs and ten
centimes I will take a bed at the end of the day, and coffee and bread
next morning, and will march the remaining twenty miles or less (as
they may be) into Milan with a copper or two in my pocket. Then in
Milan, having obtained my money, I will eat.'
So I planned with very careful and exact precision, but many accidents
and unexpected things, diverting my plans, lay in wait for me among
the hills.
And to cut a long story short, as the old sailor said to the young
fool -
LECTOR. What did the old sailor say to the young fool?
AUCTOR. Why, the old sailor was teaching the young fool his compass,
and he said - -
'Here we go from north, making round by west, and then by south round
by east again to north.
