There were no habitations between villages.

Whenever he was between villages he was an easy prey, particularly as he usually traveled by night, to avoid the heat.

He was always being overtaken by strangers who offered him the protection of their company, or asked for the protection of his--and these strangers were often Thugs, as he presently found out to his cost.

The landholders, the native police, the petty princes, the village officials, the customs officers were in many cases protectors and harborers of the Thugs, and betrayed travelers to them for a share of the spoil.

At first this condition of things made it next to impossible for the government to catch the marauders; they were spirited away by these watchful friends.
All through a vast continent, thus infested, helpless people of every caste and kind moved along the paths and trails in couples and groups silently by night, carrying the commerce of the country--treasure, jewels, money, and petty batches of silks, spices, and all manner of wares.