His candle burnt out, in two hours after starting; but at eleven the moon rose, and its light enabled him to keep the road without difficulty.

As morning dawned, he approached a good-sized village some forty miles from his starting point and, waiting for an hour until he saw people stirring, Fergus went to the posting house and shouted for the postmaster.

The sight of a field officer, on foot at such an hour of the morning, greatly surprised the man when he came down.
"My horse has fallen and broken its neck," Fergus said, "and I have had to walk some miles on foot.

I have important despatches to carry to Vienna.

Bring round a horse, without a moment's delay." The postmaster, without the smallest hesitation, ordered his men to saddle and bring out a horse.
"It will be sent back from the next stage," Fergus said, as he mounted and rode on at full speed.
He changed horses twice, not the slightest suspicion being entertained by any of the postmasters that he was not what he seemed; and, before noon, arrived at the last post house before reaching Vienna.
"A bottle of your best wine, landlord, and I want to speak a word with you in a private room.