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.