"What fools we have been, Jack, to be sure!" In one of the three men who accompanied them they recognized the peasant who had spoken to the muleteer when he refused to accept their first offer, and they had no doubt that he had arranged with the man to lead them to a certain spot, to which he had proceeded direct, while their guide had conducted them by a circuitous route.
They walked for four hours without a pause, ever ascending among the hills, until they at last reached a sort of plateau, upon which some six or eight men were gathered round a fire.

Upon three sides the hill rose abruptly, on the fourth the ground sloped away, and in front, seemingly almost at their feet, some 2000 feet below them stretched away the waters of the Mediterranean, sparkling in the moonlight.
"They have got something to eat that smells nice," Jack said, as they approached the fire.

"I hope to goodness they are going to give us some.

I feel awfully peckish." The men gathered round the fire rose at the approach of the new-comers, and an animated conversation took place.

Then the boys were motioned to sit down, and the rest threw themselves round the fire.