44 THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE HEMPSEED.

“No, Olympia,” returned Hempseed; “I am quite
serious in what I say to you.”

“ And how will they supply us with food?” asked his
sister.

“You shall know all the moment we have quitted
Piedmont, which we must leave behind us as soon as
we can.”

“« And where is France? shall you be able to find it?”

“ It is on the other side of those mountains, which now
rise before us.”

“ Goodness!” cried Olympia; “ shall we have to climb
up, and then go down, and climb up again, and go down
again, amongst those mountains, that seem to touch the
sky.”

* Yes, dear sister, we must!”

* But it is impossible !”

* There are several roads.”

* Do you know them?”

« We will inquire our way.”

“And the robbers, the banditti, and the wild beasts?”
cried Olympia, in affright.

“And God?” said Prince Hempseed, in an impressive
tone.

Thus speaking of the future, they at length reached
Biella; but they waited for the night, before they entered
the town. Next morning, at an early hour, they bought
a quantity of provisions, with one of the pieces of money
produced by the sale of the boat, for themselves and their
companions. Not being used to travelling, the animals
sometimes showed no little obstinacy. The most unruly
was Zug, who often endeavoured to make his escape; and
this bad example was followed by Coco. But Turnspit
barked and growled at them till he forced them to be
obedient.

When the children had travelled four or five miles, they
would stop to rest beneath one of those vast trees which