Direct roads were laid out from one to another, as it is said (Deut. 19:3): Prepare the way for yourself, and divide into three parts, etc. They would appoint for them two Torah scholars so that he should not kill him on the way, and they would speak to him. R' Meir says: He, too, should speak for himself, as it is said (Deut. 19:4): And this is the matter of the murderer.