Then exerting all my strength, I contrived to roll the litter over.

Down that steep incline it went, over and over, gathering more snow to itself at every revolution, and sinking at last into the drift at the bottom.

There were signs enough to show its presence, but those signs would hardly be read by any but the sharpest eyes, or by such as might be looking for it in precisely such a position.

I must trust to luck that it escaped the notice of Messer Ramiro.

But even if he did discover it, I did not think that it would tell him overmuch.
That done I resumed my hat and cloak--which I had retained--mounted once more, and urging the other mule along, I proceeded thus as fast as might be for a half-league or so in the direction of Cagli.