It was considered that it was only necessary to do this for the first two or three nights as, after that, the tale that they were coming from a village near the frontier, and were on their way to join Tippoo's army, would seem natural enough to any villagers who might question them.
They continued their course until nearly midnight, by which time they were both completely fatigued, and, choosing a spot sheltered by bushes, lay down to sleep.

It took another two days before they were clear of the broken country, and the greater portion of this part of the journey they performed in daylight.

Occasionally they saw, in the distance, the small forts which guarded every road to the plateau.

To these they always gave a very wide berth, as although, according to the terms of peace, they should all have been evacuated, they might still be occupied by parties of Tippoo's troops.
Indeed, all the news that had arrived, since the army left, represented Tippoo as making every effort to strengthen his army and fortresses, and to prepare for a renewal of the war.
Several times they saw bears, which abounded among the ghauts, and once beheld two tigers crossing a nullah.

They had, however, other matters to think of, and neither the flesh nor the skins of the bears would have been of any use to them.