Quite unexpectedly, they blundered into a small picket stationed there.

Its object was to challenge all passers-by during the dark hours, and it formed part of the scheme already elaborated by the authorities for a complete search of every foot of ground.

But Brazilian soldiers are apt to be lax in such matters.

These men were all lying down, and smoking.

For a marvel, they happened to be silent when Marcel led his cohort into the open road.