Worn out with work and vexation, I forced my way into the thickest part of the grove and remained there for four mortal hours, but at last, bored to extinction by the horrible solitude, I sought a way out.

As I went ahead, I caught sight of a peasant; then I had need of all my nerve, and it did not fail me.

Marching boldly up to him, I asked my way to the city, complaining that I had been lost in the wood for several hours.

Seeing my condition, he took pity upon me, for I was covered with mud and paler than death, and asked me whether I had seen anyone in the place.

"Not a soul," I replied, whereupon he kindly conducted me to the high road, where he met two of his companions, who informed him that they had beaten along every path in the forest without having found anything except a tunic, which they showed him.