be cast in simple language, keeping if possible the same kind of speech as
that used in the original, but changing difficult or technical terms to
plain, and complex images to simple and familiar ones.

All types of adaptation share in this need of simple language,--stories
which are too short, as well as those which are too long, have this
feature in their changed form. The change in a short story is applied
oftenest where it becomes desirable to amplify a single anecdote, or
perhaps a fable, which is told in very condensed form. Such an instance is
the following anecdote of heroism, which in the original is quoted in one
of F.W. Robertson's lectures on Poetry.

A detachment of troops was marching along a valley, the cliffs
overhanging which were crested by the enemy. A sergeant, with eleven
men, chanced to become separated from the rest by taking the wrong side
of a ravine, which they expected soon to terminate, but which suddenly
deepened into an impassable chasm. The officer in command signalled to
the party an order to return. They mistook the signal for a command to
charge; the brave fellows answered with a cheer, and charged. At the
summit of the steep mountain was a triangular platform, defended by a
breastwork, behind which were seventy of the foe. On they went, charging
up one of those fearful paths, eleven against seventy. The contest could
not long be doubtful with such odds. One after another they fell; six
upon the spot, the remainder hurled backwards; but not until they had
slain nearly twice their own number.

There is a custom, we are told, amongst the hillsmen, that when a great
chieftain of their own falls in battle, his wrist is bound with a thread
either of red or green, the red denoting the highest rank. According to
custom, they stripped the dead, and threw their bodies over the
precipice. When their comrades came, they found their corpses stark and
gashed; but round both wrists of every British hero was twined the red
thread!

This anecdote serves its purpose of illustration perfectly well, but
considered as a separate story it is somewhat too explanatory in diction,
and too condensed in form. Just as the long story is analysed for
reduction of given details, so this must be analysed,--to find the details
implied. We have to read into it again all that has been left between the
lines.

Moreover, the order must be slightly changed, if we are to end with