midday
The next morning Cuthbert on rising found that his guide did not present himself as usual . Making inquiries he found that the young man had gone out the evening before , and had not returned . Extremely uneasy at the circumstance , Cuthbert went to the city guard , thinking that perhaps his guide might have got drunk , and been shut up in the cells . No news , however , was to be obtained there , and after waiting some hours , feeling sure that some harm had befallen him , he gave notice to the authorities of his loss , and then mounting his horse , and leaving some money with the landlord of the hostelry to give to his guide in case the latter should return , he started at midday by the southern road . He felt sure now that he was overtaken , and determined to keep his eyes and faculties thoroughly on watch . The roads in those days were mere tracks . Here and there a little village was to be met with ; but the country was sparsely cultivated , and traveling lonely work .