It was evidently a large fire, but whether accidental, or otherwise, there were no means of knowing.

St.Aubert thought it was probably kindled by some of the numerous banditti, that infested the Pyrenees, and he became watchful and anxious to know whether the road passed near this fire.

He had arms with him, which, on an emergency, might afford some protection, though certainly a very unequal one, against a band of robbers, so desperate too as those usually were who haunted these wild regions.

While many reflections rose upon his mind, he heard a voice shouting from the road behind, and ordering the muleteer to stop.

St.Aubert bade him proceed as fast as possible; but either Michael, or his mules were obstinate, for they did not quit the old pace.