The walled city was guarded with such care, because so many attempts had been made to surprise it, and to assassinate the king, whose fiery disposition and constant wars had raised him up so many enemies.

As much care was taken to prevent a single stranger entering as if he were the vanguard of a hostile army, and if he now went back (as he could do) to the bridge over the river, he would be stopped and questioned, and possibly confined in prison till the king returned.
"Where is the king ?" asked Felix; "I came to try and take service with him." "Then you will be welcome," said the woman.

"He is in the field, and has just sat down before Iwis." "That was why the walled city seemed so empty, then." said Felix.
"Yes; all the people are with him; there will be a great battle this time." "How far is it to Iwis ?" said Felix.
"Twenty-seven miles," replied the dame; "and if you take my advice, you had better walk twenty-seven miles there, than two miles back to the bridge over the river." Someone now called from the opposite bank, and she started with the boat to fetch another passenger.
"Thank you, very much," said Felix, as he wished her good day; "but why did not the man at the other ferry tell me I could cross here ?" The woman laughed outright.

"Do you suppose he was going to put a penny in my way when he could not get it himself ?" So mean and petty is the world! Felix entered the second city and walked some distance through it, when he recollected that he had not eaten for some time.

He looked in vain for an inn, but upon speaking to a man who was leaning on his crutch at a doorway, he was at once asked to enter, and all that the house afforded was put before him.