would be fatal to you. If,
therefore, you escaped being killed as a robber by the peasants,
you would run the risk of arrest at the first town or village you
entered.

"Translate that to him, Stanislas. He is learning our language
fast, but he cannot understand all that."

"That is just what we were talking about," Charlie said, when
Stanislas had repeated the captain's speech, "and the danger seems
too great to be risked. Think you, that when we get farther to the
east, we shall be able to make our way more easily up into
Livonia?"

"Much more easily, because the forest is more extensive there; but
not until the winter is over. The cold will be terrible, and it
would be death to sleep without shelter. Besides, the forests are
infested with wolves, who roam about in packs, and would scent and
follow and devour you. But when spring comes, you can turn your
faces to the north, and leave us if you think fit, and I promise
you that no hindrance shall be thrown in your way. I only ask you
not to risk your lives by trying now to pass through Poland alone."

"I think you are right, Ladislas, and I promise you that we will
not attempt to leave you during our journey east. As you say, it
would be impossible for us to travel after winter had once set in.
It is now the end of September."

"And it will be November before we reach our destination. We shall
not travel fast. We have no motive for doing so. We have to live by
the way, and to gather a little money to help us through the
winter. We may shoot a bear or an elk sometimes, a few deer, and
hares, but we shall want two or three sacks of flour, and some
spirits. For these we must either get money, or take the goods. The
first is the best, for we have no means of dragging heavy weights
with us, and it would not do to infuriate the peasants by
plundering any of them within twenty miles of the place where we
mean to winter. That would set them all against us."

"I tell you frankly, Ladislas, that we shall not be willing to aid
in any acts of robbery. Of course, when one is with an army one has
to plunder on a large scale, and it has often gone terribly against
the grain, when I have had to join parties sent out to forage. But
it has to be done. I would rather not join men in taking food, yet
I understand that it may be necessary. But as to taking money, I
will have nothing to do with it. At the same time, I understand
that we cannot share your food, and be with you, with