“This is the Melchior forest, chum,” the man said. “What the hell have you done to your face?”
“I got it poisoned by poison ivy.”
“That’s a proper new chum’s trick. You’ll be blind to-morrow. What do you propose to do?”
“Perhaps you could let me stay here till my eyes are better and then give me a guide to the plain.”
“I’ve got no guide.”
“Or put me on my way then. I can’t be far.”
“Did anyone tell you of me, or put you up to coming here?”
“No.”
“Did you come out alone into this forest?”
“Yes.”