country, for the dialects differ greatly from each other."

As soon as it became quite dark they found it impossible to follow
the rough ground, and after one or two falls had to stop. Hector
said, "This won't do, we shall twist an ankle or break a bone if
we go on."

"Shall we light a fire, master? I have brought flint and steel with
me, for I knew that we should want it."

"No, it is better to run no risks; there may be a road near for
aught we know, and if anyone passing saw a fire among the trees,
he might come to see who had made it."

"Not he, master; there are too many robbers about, deserters from
their army, or men who have been ruined by the war. You may be
sure that if any belated villager had the courage to go through
this forest by night he would, on seeing a fire, hurry on as fast
as his legs would carry him."

"Well, no doubt you are right, Paolo; and though the night is warm
enough the air is damp under this thick covering of leaves, and
it will certainly be more cheerful. We will go a short distance
among the trees before we light it."

Feeling their way -- for it was pitch dark in the forest -- they
went on until Hector stumbled over a fallen trunk.

"This is the best place for a halt," he said, "for here is wood
ready to hand. This tree has been lying here for years, I can feel