Indeed, it is because I don't like sleeping in their company that I am so anxious to reach a village." "Are zey dangerows ?" asked the professor, who followed close on Nigel.
"Well, they are not safe!" replied the hermit.

"I had an adventure with one on this very road only two years ago." "Indeed! vat vas it ?" asked the professor, whose appetite for anecdote was insatiable.

"Do tell us about it." "With pleasure.

It was on a pitch-dark night that it occurred.

I had occasion to go to a neighbouring village at a considerable distance, and borrowed a horse from a friend----" "Anozer frond!" exclaimed the professor; "vy, Van der Kemp, zee country seems to be svarming vid your fronds." "I have travelled much in it and made many friends," returned the hermit.