"That was a capitally managed business, Paolo. Now we have to find
our way across country. We cannot keep by the river, for it turns
away to the south, and would take us far from the point we want
to reach. At any rate, for a day or two we must travel at night,
after that I think we can venture boldly along -- for it is not
likely that the news that a prisoner has escaped will travel very
far -- although no doubt a strict search will be kept up for a day
or two. I think that for today we had better make our way north,
keeping in the woods as much as possible; they are less likely to
search for us in that direction than to the west."

They found that the forest was fully two leagues across, and agreed
that it was unlikely in the extreme that any attempt would be
made to search so extensive an area, where two men could anywhere
conceal themselves. Paolo had on the previous afternoon placed a
couple of loaves and some cold meat in the bundles, and they now
sat down by a little stream and ate a hearty meal, then, crawling
into a thick growth of underwood, they lay down to sleep and did
not awaken until the sun was setting.

"There must be some country tracks through this forest, Paolo. We
cannot do better than keep along the edge of the stream until we
come to one and then follow it. It is sure, sooner or later, to
take us to some small hamlet, and I can go into a cabaret and get
a couple of flasks of wine and buy enough bread to last us until
tomorrow, and perhaps a sausage, they are not likely to have
any other meat in a place of that sort. My German is good enough
to pass muster, and even if it sounds strange to their ears, they
will merely suppose that I have come from a different part of the