The Wallach pointed to the signal-fires on the mountains, and his face assumed an expression of alarm.

Finally he took one of the horses by the bridle, and conducted the carriage through the gate and into his stronghold.
"Why are we stopped here ?" asked Blanka.
Aaron gave her a reassuring reply.

"Ciprianu says it is not best for us to go any farther to-night, as the rains have washed out the road in some places, and we might get into trouble in the dark.

So we must accept his invitation and spend the rest of the night under his roof." Aaron had explained the situation only in part.

The Wallachian's argument for detaining them had much less to do with water than with the fires on the mountain tops.
The dogs were kicked aside to make room for the strangers, and sundry villagers appeared out of the gloom to reconnoitre the new arrivals.
The country peasantry never give themselves a regular night's sleep, but lie down half-dressed in order to get up occasionally and look around in house and stable, to make sure all is as it should be.
Ciprianu had a handsome daughter, as tall as himself and with regular features of the old Roman cast.