He had long since left the wood, and was now traversing the open country, frequently turning round to examine the country around him, for at any moment after he had left, his absence from the castle might be discovered, and the pursuit begun.

He hoped, however, that two or three hours at least would elapse before the discovery was made.
He had, before starting, piled high the fire in the hall, and had placed plenty of logs for the purpose of replenishing it close at hand.

He put tankards on the board, and with them a large jug full of wine, so that the freebooters would have no occasion to call for him, and unless they wanted him they would be unlikely to look into the kitchen.

Except when occasionally breaking into a walk to get breath, he ran steadily on.
It was not until he had gone nearly ten miles that he saw a goatherd tending a few goats, and from him he learned the direction of Glogau, and was glad to find he had not gone very far out of the direct line.
At last, after asking the way several times, he arrived within a short distance of the village.

The ground had now become undulating, and the slopes were covered with trees.