I replied.
"Where are you going so late?" he said.
"In good faith," I replied, ingenuously, "I should be quite delighted if I knew myself; I think I have lost my way, and, in that doubt, I was preparing to pass the night under this tree."
"A poor bed that!" said the horseman, shaking his head.
"Yes," I remarked philosophically; "but for want of a better I must content myself with it. I am dying with hunger, my horse is knocked up, and we do not either of us care to wander further in search of problematic hospitality, particularly at this hour of the night."
"Hum!" said the stranger, casting a glance at my mustang, who, with his head lowered, was endeavouring to snap a few blades of grass, "your horse appears to be well bred; do you think he is so much fatigued that he could not manage to go a couple of miles, at most?"
"Oh! he would go for two hours if necessary," I said, with a smile.
"Follow me, then, in God's name," the stranger answered, in a jovial tone; "I promise you both a good bed and a good supper."
"Which offer I accept for both with thanks," I said, making my horse feel the spur.
The noble beast, which appeared to understand what was going on, fell into a very fair trot.