All night long I tried to find a valley running east, but the moonlight deceived me, and I must have come farther away every hour.
When day came I tied Paladin to a tree and slept a little, and then I rode on to find a hill which would show me the lie of the land.

But it was very hot, and I was very weary.

And then you came, and those dreadful wild men.

And--and----" She broke down and wept piteously.
I comforted her as best I could, telling her that her troubles were over now, and that I should look after her.

"You might have met with us in the woods last night," I said, "so you see you were not far from friends." But the truth was that her troubles were only beginning, and I was wretchedly anxious.