About eight o'clock
Mile after mile of scanty forest land and rich meadow were left behind , while , except for a few heavily-breathing cattle , he met no sign of life . At last he came upon a broader road which bore unmistakable signs of military workmanship in its construction , and here he met , and passed with laconic greeting , a few peasant women returning with empty baskets from some neighbouring market ; or perhaps a `` cantonnier '' here and there , plodding home with `` sabots '' swinging heavily and round shoulders bent beneath the burden of his weighty stone-breaking implements . Following the direction of this road his course was now towards the north-east , with more tendency to the eastward than he desired , but there was no choice . About eight o'clock he passed through a small village , which appeared to be already wrapped in stupid slumber such as attends the peasant 's pillow . A cock crowed loudly , and in reply a dog barked with some alarm , but Christian was already beyond the village upon the deserted high road again . He now began to feel the weakening effect of his illness ; his legs became cramped , and he frequently rested at the roadside . The highway was running still more to the eastward now , and Christian was just beginning to consider the advisability of taking to the country again , when it joined a broader road cut east and west .