After a brief consultation they decided to try the road on the right for a mile or more. “If it runs to the southeast, that is all we want,” said Gilbert.
It was a broad highway and unusually well kept. As they advanced Dan Casey shook his head.
“Sure an’ I don’t think we had such good walkin’ as this, did we, Carl?”
“Not much ve didn’t,” declared the German sharpshooter. “Der mud vos awful in sphots.”
“Perhaps we had better go back,” suggested Gilbert.
“Let us keep to the road a while longer,” said Ben. “It seems to run in the direction we want to go.”
There was a turn ahead, leading into a small valley. At the turn they came to where they could see a fair-sized stream of water ahead.
“Here is a hut,” said Ben, and pointed it out. In front of the shelter sat an old Chinese woman, blinking uncertainly at them.
“Sure an’ that ould woman ought to be able to tell us about the road,” said Casey.
“I’ll question her,” replied Gilbert.