` If that is the case , kill me at once , ' said Bobino . ` What is the use of waiting , if it must be done ? ' ' I have not the heart to do it , ' answered the servant . ' I would rather think of some way of saving your life , and at the same time of protecting ourselves from your father 's anger . By good luck the dog has followed us . We will kill it , and cut out the heart and take it back to your father . He will believe it is yours , and you , in the meantime , will have made your escape . ' When they had reached the thickest part of the wood , Bobino got out of the carriage , and having said good-bye to the servants set out on his wanderings . On and on he walked , till at last , late in the evening , he came to a house where some herdsmen lived . He knocked at the door and begged for shelter for the night . The herdsmen , seeing how gentle a youth he seemed , made him welcome , and bade him sit down and share their supper . While they were eating it , the dog in the courtyard began to bark . Bobino walked to the window , listened attentively for a minute , and then turning to the herdsmen said : ` Send your wives and daughters at once to bed , and arm yourselves as best you can , because at midnight a band of robbers will attack this house . ' The herdsmen were quite taken aback , and thought that the youth must have taken leave of his senses . ` How can you know , ' they said , ` that a band of robbers mean to attack us ? Who told you so ? ' ' I know it from the dog 's barking , ' answered Bobino . ' I understand his language , and if I had not been here , the poor beast would have wasted his breath to no purpose . You had better follow my advice , if you wish to save your lives and property . ' The herdsmen were more and more astonished , but they decided to do as Bobino advised .
They sent their wives and daughters upstairs , then , having armed themselves , they took up their position behind a hedge , waiting XXXXX midnight .
If While as at for in of on that to