A week later, Rupert again had occasion to pass through the village, and dismounted and walked to the little grave.  A rough cross had been placed at one end, and some flowers lay strewn upon it.  Rupert picked a few of the roses which were blooming neglected near, and laid them on the grave, and then rode on, sighing at the horrors which war inflicts on an innocent population.

This time their route lay through a thickly wooded mountain, to a town beyond, where one of the cavalry regiments had its headquarters.  Rupert was the bearer of orders for it to return to headquarters, as a general movement of the army was to take place.  The road was a mere track, hilly and wild, and the lads rode with pistols cocked, in case of any sudden attack by deserters or stragglers from the Bavarian army.  The journey was, however, performed without adventure; and having delivered their orders, they at once started on their homeward way.

Chapter 13:  Blenheim.

Although the sun had not set when Rupert and Hugh rode into the forest on their return journey, they had not been long among the trees when the light began to fade.  The foliage met overhead, and although above the sky seemed still bright, the change was distinctly felt in the gloom of the forest.  The ride had been a long one, and Rupert feared to press his horse, consequently they wound but slowly up the hill, and by the time they reached its crest, it was night.

“This is unpleasant, Hugh, for I can scarcely see my horse’s head; and as there are several tracks crossing this, we are likely enough to go wrong.”

“I think, Master Rupert, we had better dismount and lead our horses.  We shall break our necks if they tread on a stone on this rocky path.”

For half an hour they walked on in silence, then Hugh said, “I think we are going wrong, Master Rupert, for we are not descending now; and we ought to have been at the foot of the hill, if we had been right, by this time.”

“I am afraid you are right, Hugh.  In that case we had better make up our minds to halt where we are till morning.  It is no use wandering on, and knocking up the horses.  It seems rather lighter just ahead, as if the trees opened a little; we may find a better place to halt.”

In another minute they stood in a small clearing.  The stars were shining brightly; and after the dense darkness of the forest, they were able to see clearly in the open.  It was a clearing of some sixty feet diameter, and in the middle stood, by the path, a hut.

“Stay where you are, Hugh, with the horses.  I will go quietly forward.  If the place is occupied, we will go back.  We can’t expect hospitality in Bavaria.”

The hut proved to be empty.  The door hung loosely on its hinges, and clearly the place was deserted.

Rupert called Hugh up, and fastening the horses outside, the lads entered.