There's a big wood about a mile away, and you can turn him in there." A few minutes later they started, Vincent leading the horse and Tony carrying the bundle of food and his cast-off uniform.

The woman led them by farm roads, sometimes turning off to the right or left, but keeping her way with a certainty which showed how well she was acquainted with the country.

Several times they could hear the dull sound of bodies of cavalry galloping along the roads; but this died away as they got further into the country.

The horse had been turned loose a mile from their starting place.

Vincent removed the bridle and saddle, saying: "He will pick up enough to feed on here for some time.