had stopped to take some refreshment, he came up with two very well-dressed men. As evening was approaching, Fontaine was not sorry to obtain fellow travellers; he therefore addressed the two strangers, who were not slow in returning his salutation, and a conversation soon arose between them. "Good evening, gentlemen," said he to them.—"The same to you," replied they. "We shall soon have night overtake us," resumed the butcher. "We shall indeed, sir," answered one of the two pedestrians, "and at this season of the year we must not reckon upon much assistance from the twilight."
"I should care very little about it," added Fontaine, "but, unfortunately, I have still a considerable distance to walk to-night."
"And where may you be proceeding to, if it be not too impertinent a question?"
"Where am I going? Why, to Milly, to purchase sheep."
"In that case, if agreeable to you, we may as well join company; my friend and self are proceeding to Corbeil on business, so that chance has been most favourable to us."
"Agreed!" exclaimed the butcher, "things could not have fallen out better; nor shall I be slow in profiting by it; for, in my humble opinion, when one has money about one, travelling in good company is far more pleasant than being quite alone."
"You have money about you, then?"
"You are right there, my friend, and a pretty considerable sum too."
"Well, we likewise have large sums; but we were informed that we ran no risk, as this part of the country was considered perfectly safe."
"Indeed! I am glad to hear it; but, were it otherwise, I have something here (showing a huge stick) that would make a tolerable resistance; besides, I think, the most daring thieves would hardly have the
