One after another he passed goblin houses, caves, that is, occupied by goblin families, and at length was sure they were many more than he had passed as he came.

He had to use great caution to pass unseen--they lay so close together.

Could his string have led him wrong?
He still followed winding it, and still it led him into more thickly populated quarters, until he became quite uneasy, and indeed apprehensive; for although he was not afraid of the cobs, he was afraid of not finding his way out.

But what could he do?
It was of no use to sit down and wait for the morning--the morning made no difference here.

It was dark, and always dark; and if his string failed him he was helpless.