They went along the road very quietly of their own accord.

Marco kept wishing that a wagon or something else would come along, that he might have the satisfaction of turning out.

But nothing of the kind appeared, and he was obliged to content himself with turning a little to one side, to avoid a stone.

At the end of the level piece of road there was a tavern, where they were going to stop to change the horses, and Marco asked the driver to let him turn the horses up to the door.

The driver consented, keeping a close watch all the time, ready to seize the reins again at a moment's notice, if there had been any appearance of difficulty.