The mice talked; but the hedgehogs seemed very phlegmatic; and though I met a couple of moles above ground several times, they never said a word to each other in my hearing.

There were no wild beasts in the forest; at least, I did not see one larger than a wild cat.

There were plenty of snakes, however, and I do not think they were all harmless; but none ever bit me.
Soon after mid-day I arrived at a bare rocky hill, of no great size, but very steep; and having no trees--scarcely even a bush--upon it, entirely exposed to the heat of the sun.

Over this my way seemed to lie, and I immediately began the ascent.

On reaching the top, hot and weary, I looked around me, and saw that the forest still stretched as far as the sight could reach on every side of me.