It will be long enough before we get to Rome if we go on at this rate . ' Rasmus was unwilling to go on , but the two old people sided with Niels , who said , ` The nights are n't dark , and the moon will soon be up . We can ask at the inn here , and find out which way we ought to take . ' So they held on for some time , but at last they came to a small opening in the forest , and here they found that the road split in two . There was no sign-post to direct them , and the people in the inn had not told them which of the two roads to take . ` What 's to be done now ? ' said Rasmus . ' I think we had better have stayed at the inn . ' ` There 's no harm done , ' said Niels . ` The night is warm , and we can wait here till morning . One of us will keep watch till midnight , and then waken the other . ' Rasmus chose to take the first watch , and the others lay down to sleep . It was very quiet in the forest , and Rasmus could hear the deer and foxes and other animals moving about among the rustling leaves . After the moon rose he could see them occasionally , and when a big stag came quite close to him he got hold of Niels ' gun and shot it . Niels was wakened by the report . ` What 's that ? ' he said . ` I 've just shot a stag , ' said Rasmus , highly pleased with himself . ` That 's nothing , ' said Niels . ` I 've often shot a sparrow , which is a much more difficult thing to do . '
It was now close on midnight , so Niels began his watch , and Rasmus went XXXXX sleep .
After So at by in of that till to with