"It so happened that our master had gone to Capua to attend to some odds and ends of business and I seized the opportunity, and persuaded a guest of the house to accompany me as far as the fifth mile-stone.

He was a soldier, and as brave as the very devil.

We set out about cock-crow, the moon was shining as bright as midday, and came to where the tombstones are.

My man stepped aside amongst them, but I sat down, singing, and commenced to count them up.

When I looked around for my companion, he had stripped himself and piled his clothes by the side of the road.