On 23 September 1878 Stevenson set out from Le Monastier in the Haut Loire, to tramp through the wild region of the Cevennes His only companion was a small donkey to carry basic necessities, and a commodious 'sleeping sack' In the next 12 days, at a pace dictated by the donkey and carrying most of the supplies himself, he travelled 120 miles across rivers, mountains and forests His stylish and witty account was published in 1879