Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The second incident happened to me in a town when I was looking for the stable where I
had left the horse. Just before going to bed, I usually went to have a last look at the animals,
and on this occasion I had gone down a wrong street and was vainly looking for the stable in
the semi-darkness. Suddenly a tough customer confronted me and looked me all over, finally
asking me what I was 'hangin'' around there for. I told him I was endeavouring to locate a
certain stable, and to my surprise the man offered to accompany me there, and although I did
nottrusthimmuch,Iacceptedhisoffer.Wesoonarrived,andwhilstIwasinsideInoticedthat
my guide was talking with the owner of the stable in low tones. Before I left I went to thank
the fellow for his assistance, whereupon he asked me if I wanted a drink, and when I refused
the offer he wanted to know if I was a 'friend', and before I left him he said: 'You'd better be
a friend, or else you'll have a job to get out of this town!'
WepassedthroughtheCumberlandNarrows,andaftertwoorthreedaysleftthelastrolling
hills of the mountains behind us, and on the five hundred and fourth actual day's travelling
after leaving Buenos Aires, from the top of an incline, the dome of Washington's mighty Cap-
itol appeared ahead.
The night before I had advised friends that I would arrive, and a newspaper man who had
motored out to interview me had carefully explained to me which road to follow so that I
should not miss those who were coming to meet me.
However, in spite of his detailed description, I went the wrong way, and only realised it
when I found myself lost somewhere in the lower part of the city. I had come at a fast trot so
that nobody would stop me to ask questions, but when I realised that I had missed those who
had driven out to meet me, I began to try to find my bearings again. I looked for a policeman,
but, as usual when one wants one, I could find none. Finally, I came to a drug store, where I
decided to telephone to the Argentine Embassy to tell them that I was hopelessly lost some-
where in the 'wilds' of Washington, and to ask them to send a rescue party to search for me.
Accordingly I tied Mancha to a lamp-post, and just as I was about to enter the drug store I
heard a gruff voice shout, 'Hey, mister, what the hell do you mean by tying that horse to the
lamp-post.Doyouthinkyouareoutinthe'gawdam'country?'Iturnedroundtoseewhowas
thusaddressingme,andtomyamazementa'cop'stoodthere;hehadappearedasifbymagic.
When I had made myself known to him and had explained the sad plight I was in, he laughed
very heartily and held the horse for me whilst I went to 'phone, and when I returned he was
still chuckling to himself and patting Mancha's sturdy neck.
At the Embassy I was informed that everybody had gone to meet me, and so I left word
thatIwouldwaitwhereIwasuntiltheyshouldreturn.Thepolicemanshowedmeashadyspot
where I could wait undisturbed, and when an Italian fruit and vegetable vendor passed with
hiscart,Iboughtafewbunchesofcarrots,ofwhichManchawasdesperately fond,andsitting
down near him, I watched them disappear, one by one. In due time the 'rescue party' arrived,
and escorted me to the Wardman Park Hotel, where Mancha was put in a comfortable stall in
the luxurious stables belonging to the establishment. Photographs were taken until I was sick
