The planned departure was delayed—
Even though the apprentice policeman kept insisting he was fine, but...
The horse was dead.
The horse that had been pulling the police cart had been bitten on the leg by a poisonous snake.
The poison had cost the horse its breath.
Therefore, Simon had to walk back to the town they had passed earlier to buy a new horse, and then ride back to this temporary camp.
It was already evening by the time he went there and back.
Traveling by night was not a wise choice, especially after finding out that the original cart-horse had been bitten by a poisonous snake, Simon was no longer insistent on departing overnight.
This time, a horse was bitten to death by the snake.
Who knew who would be bitten next.
Thus, Arthur, Simon, and the group had to rest an extra day at the camp before setting out again in the morning.
"It's really dangerous out here with so many poisonous snakes!"
