and started out over the heather in the
direction indicated by the stars. The greatest obstacles were the peat
bogs, into which I often sank knee-deep, and had to crawl out. After
about two hours rough walking, I was lying among the heather resting,
when I was startled by a slight noise like the rattle of a chain.
Looking up quickly as the moon came out from behind a cloud, I saw a
dark shape, which seemed to move considerably closer and a little to
the left, as I watched. A general survey of my position was not
reassuring, for, in the light, I could distinctly see half-a-dozen
more dark forms situated on my front and sides at regular intervals,
mostly in a crouching position. Instantly I thought that somehow I had
been traced by dogs, and that these were sentries. Knowing the gentle
way in which the inmates of this camp were treated, I must confess
that I was very scared. I had not even a stick; besides, one could
wish for a more congenial meeting-place to accost gentlemen of this
sort than a lonely moor at midnight. Behind me was a long cutting,
filled with dark water, from which peat had been taken; into this I
cautiously slid up to my shoulders, and waited developments. Nothing
happened, and, as I became colder and colder, I began to think that,
after all, I had been mistaken. Was it possible that they were only
heaps of peat? At last I summoned up enough courage to crawl out and
approach one of the mysterious forms. Still nothing happened, and my
confidence increased considerably. I had only gone a few yards when I
saw that it was actually only a heap of peat with a large piece lying
near the top which protruded sideways, this having formed the supposed
sentry's head. Even then I did not feel quite convinced until I
administered a hard kick and there was no retaliation.

During the night I passed several villages, and once found myself
among a lot of small apple trees, which I shook violently. Down
tumbled some unripe fruit. It did not take long to fill my pockets and
clear off at full speed. Towards morning I lost sight of the camp
lights, and, entering a small fir plantation, arranged a good
hiding-place and soon fell asleep. In less than an hour I awoke in a
soaking condition, and sat up with a start, the only result being that
the movement shook the fir branches over my head, and a shower-bath
ensued. The next day I enjoyed five thunderstorms! No sooner had one
passed over than another came up. My home-made te