Alano nodded. “Follow me, and take to the woods if I hiss,” he replied.
On we went again, but slower than before. The road now wound around to the right, up under a cliff backed up by a small mountain. As the sun was behind the mountain, the path was dark in its more sheltered portions.
Suddenly Alano let out a soft hiss, and we leaped back behind a convenient rock.
“They are just ahead!” he cried softly. “They have quartered themselves for the middle of the day in a cave-like opening under the cliff, where it is, no doubt, cool and pleasant.”
“Well, what had we best do?”
“Get around them, by some means, Mark. But, hold up! Wouldn’t it be fine if we could draw close enough to overhear them—if they are talking over their plans!”
“It would be risky,” I hesitated.
“Yes, but think of the service we might do my countrymen!”
“That is true. Well, I’m with you, Alano, but for gracious' sake be careful!”