So far no observation whatever had been excited by the passage of the English knight.  So many crusaders were upon their way home, many in grievous plight, that the somewhat shabby retinue passed unnoticed.  But they were now leaving Italy, and entering a country where German was spoken.  Trent, in those days an important city, was then, and is still, the meeting place of Italy and Germany.  Both tongues are here spoken; but while the Italian perhaps preponderates, the customs, manners, and mode of thought of the people belong to those of the mountaineers of the Tyrol, rather than of the dwellers on the plains.

“You are choosing a stormy time,” the landlord of the hostelry where they put up said to Cuthbert.  “The winter is now at hand, and storms sweep across the passes with terrible violence.  You had better, at the last village you come to in the valley, obtain the services of a guide, for should a snowstorm come on when you are crossing, the path will be lost, and nothing will remain but a miserable death.  By daylight the road is good.  It has been cut with much trouble, and loaded mules can pass over without difficulty.  Poles have been erected at short distances to mark the way when the snow covers it.  But when the snowstorms sweep across the mountains, it is impossible to see ten paces before you, and if the traveller leaves the path he is lost.”

“But I suppose,” Cuthbert said, “that even in winter travellers pass over?”

“They do,” the host said.  “The road is as open in winter as in summer, although, of course, the dangers are greater.  Still, there is nothing to prevent vigorous men from crossing over when the storms come on.  Now, too, with the snow already lying in the upper forests, the wolves are abroad, and should you be attacked by one of those herds, you will find it hard work to defend your lives.  Much has been done to render the road safe.  At the distance of every league stone houses have been erected, where travellers can find shelter either from the storm or from the attacks of wolves or bears, for these, too, abound in the forests, and in summer there is fine hunting among them.  You are, as I see, returning from the Holy Land, and are therefore used to heat rather than cold, so I should advise you before you leave this city to buy some rough cloaks to shield you from the cold.  You can obtain them for your followers very cheaply, made of the mountain goat or of sheepskins, and even those of bearskin well dressed are by no means dear.”

Obtaining the address of a merchant who kept these things, Cuthbert proceeded thither; and purchased five cloaks of goat-skin with hoods to pull over their heads for his followers, while for himself he obtained one of rather finer material.