midday
he asked , and then drew back quickly for the man was dead . After this they went on more rapidly , flying from the horrors along the road as from the screaming shells and the dread of capture . At the hour of sunset , after many halts upon the way , they found themselves alone and still facing the open road . Since midday they had stopped for dinner with a hospitable farmer , and , some hours later , Big Abel had feasted on wild grapes , which he had found hidden in the shelter of a little wood . In the same wood a stream had tinkled over silver rocks , and Dan , lying upon the bank of moss , had bathed his face and hands in the clear water . Now , while the shadows fell in spires across the road , they turned into a quiet country lane , and stood watching the sun as it dropped beyond the gray stone wall . In the grass a small insect broke into a low humming , and the silence , closing the next instant , struck upon Dan 's ears like a profound and solemn melody .