The snow was now falling more heavily, and swirled about fiercely, for a high wind was beginning to blow.
However, there were times when there were pauses between the snow flurries and I could see a long way round.

From the height where we were it was possible to see a great distance.

And far off, beyond the white waste of snow, I could see the river lying like a black ribbon in kinks and curls as it wound its way.

Straight in front of us and not far off, in fact so near that I wondered we had not noticed before, came a group of mounted men hurrying along.

In the midst of them was a cart, a long leiter wagon which swept from side to side, like a dog's tail wagging, with each stern inequality of the road.
Outlined against the snow as they were, I could see from the men's clothes that they were peasants or gypsies of some kind.
On the cart was a great square chest.