But when we get into the town I will buy two woodmen's axes and a couple of the long knives that all the peasants here carry.

I fancy from what I heard when we were at Hall with Turenne that the country between Eichstadt and there is for the most part a great forest, and there are rough hills to pass before we get to Hall.

It will be just as well to have some weapons that we can use with effect if we should come upon any bands of robbers." "Quite so, master.

A good axe is as good as a sword in a rough sort of fight; but is there not some way we can travel so as to avoid this great forest that you speak of ?" "Not without making a great detour, and that through a country where there will be bodies of Merci's troops quartered everywhere." "Very well, master.

Then I think that the risk will be less with the robbers, especially as we have not apparently much worth stealing upon us." "Not only apparently, but really, Paolo.