But if the most important thing was concealment, another problem almost as important was the question of food.  He had had only the scantiest kind of nourishment since his escape from the prison yard.  The last crumb had been eaten that morning.  He had no weapon of any kind with which to shoot squirrels or rabbits or birds.  And he did not dare to approach a cottage for fear that he might again be placed in the power of his enemies.