their edges; and some were half covered with grass and wild-flowers.
Christopher and Hubert, however, observed that none of them were
perfectly smooth or straight; that dust and rubbish were plentiful in
them all; and that every track on that highway crossed some other. The
travellers, too, differed wonderfully in their manner of journeying.
Some moved like mourners at a funeral; some like runners to a goal.
There were those who went steadily forward, with the pace of soldiers
on a march; others, who seemed in great fear, looking perpetually
behind or before them; and very few who walked at their ease.

As the brothers marvelled at this diversity, they discovered that
there was none of all the travellers without a burden, and in that
matter there appeared no less variety. Bundles of every shape and size
were on their shoulders: some looked huge, and were tied up in
sackcloth; others were covered with rich cloth, and bound with silken
cords. Some bore theirs concealed under long mantles; but Christopher
thought it was mostly weights of iron or lead they carried. Further
particulars astonished the brothers still more. The greater part
appeared to have a strange propensity for increasing the difficulties
of their way, by walking in whatever manner was least practicable.
Many augmented the burdens, under which they already staggered, with
dust and rubbish, which they collected from all sides; and far more
were endeavouring to pile up the scattered stones and thorns on their
equally burdened neighbours. All this time, the air was filled with a
clamour of complaints, generally referring to their tracks and
burdens; and Christopher and Hubert remarked with amazement, that it
was by no means those who had the roughest track, or the heaviest bale
to carry, that travelled most laboriously, or seemed least content
with the journey.