I can tell you that I was very glad when I was able to slip that
great lump of tow out of my mouth as soon as I entered the forest."

"I don't think in future that you need use so large a wad, Paolo;
half that size will be ample; and of course you need only slip
it into your mouth when we are going through a village, or meet
a party likely to question us. As to your cheek, it will be days
before that fiery mark disappears."

They talked until nearly midnight, and then lay down and slept till
four, by which time day had broken, for it was now the first week
in July. After walking for half an hour along the edge of the wood,
they came to a track issuing out of it. This they followed, and
in about two hours saw a village in front of them.

"I will go in and buy the things that we want, Paolo, and do you
make a circuit round it. If the news has reached them of our escape
they will have been told to look for two men; and the entry of a
single countryman will excite no suspicion, for of course no one
will know what disguise we have chosen.

"Do not be anxious if I do not come along for half an hour. It will
be more natural that I should call for bread and cheese and beer
and eat them there; then I can say carelessly that I may as well
take some with me to eat later on."

"You are early!" the owner of the cabaret said as Hector entered.

"I ought to have been earlier," he replied in a grumbling voice;
"but it was so late before I reached the other side of the forest,