We cannot think of remaining here all night, for we should be frozen stiff long before morning.

Come, Captain Fracasse, Leander, and Scapin, you three being the youngest, and also the fleetest of foot, off with you.

Run like greyhounds, and bring us succour as speedily as may be.

Blazius and I will meantime do duty as guardians of the chariot and its contents." The three men designated signified their readiness to obey the tyrant, and set off across country, though not feeling at all sanguine as to the results of their search, for the night was intensely dark; but that very darkness had its advantages, and came to their aid in an unexpected manner, for though it effectually concealed all surrounding objects, it made visible a tiny point of light shining at the foot of a little hill some distance from the road.
"Behold," cried the pedant, "our guiding star! as welcome to us weary travellers, lost in the desert, as the polar star to the distressed mariner 'in periculo maris.' That blessed star yonder, whose rays shine far out into the darkness, is a light burning in some warm, comfortable room, which forms--Heaven be praised!--part of the habitation of human and civilized beings--not Laestrygon savages.

Without doubt there is a bright fire blazing on the hearth in that cosy room, and over it hangs a famous big pot, from which issue puffs of a delicious odour--oh, delightful thought!--round which my imagination holds high revel, and in fancy I wash down with generous wine the savoury morsels from that glorious pot-au-feu." "You rave, my good Blazius," said the tyrant, "the frost must have gotten into your brain--that makes men mad, they say, or silly.