Water was obtained from a convenient brook and carefully storing the remainder of the food in the knapsack he remounted the horse.
"Now go on, my good and gallant beast," he said, "and I feel sure that your journey is nearly at an end.

A draught horse like you, bulky and slow, would not wander any great distance." The horse himself immediately justified his prediction by raising his head, neighing and advancing at a swifter pace.

John saw, standing among some trees, a low and small house, built of stone and evidently very old, its humble nature indicating that it belonged to a peasant.

Behind it was a tiny vineyard, and there was a stable and another outhouse.
"Well, Marne, my lad, here's your home, beyond a doubt," said John.

But no answer came to the neigh.