Saying this, Sandy again plunged into the wood out of which we had come; while Samson and I galloped away across the country.  It was too dark to discern objects at any distance, but my companion seemed to be thoroughly acquainted with the ground.  At last I saw before me a hill, rising out of the plain.  As I got nearer, I observed that the sides and summit in many places were covered with trees; in others, it was barren and rocky.  We directed our course towards a gap in the hillside, up which we wound our way.