eleven o'clock
Their pace was rapid ; as they never drew rein , except at villages , to ask whether the Prussians had been heard of . They heard of parties at Lorrez , and Cheroy ; but as they kept through by-lanes , and as the country was thickly wooded , the risk was -- at present -- small . They had with them an excellent map , which enabled them to follow the smallest footpaths . At eleven o'clock , they stopped at the little hamlet of Montarlet . There they breakfasted , and gave the horses an hour 's rest while they consulted with the Maire . He was a miller , and turned out a shrewd fellow ; entering into the matter with great warmth . He advised them to ford the Yonne between Montereau and its junction with the Loing ; to keep to the woods for ten miles , and then to turn to the left , and to cross the Seine -- at one of the numerous fords there -- into the Forest of Fontainebleau ; and they would then find themselves between that town and Melun , and could ride boldly into Melun , as if they had come from Fontainebleau .