as it was called, fell away precipitously
on the other side. No one could scale it on that face. The path from the
upper valley wound round circuitously towards it; and along this path,
in the brilliant sunshine, Wendot saw distinctly the approach of a small
band of armed men. Yes: they were approaching, they were not retreating.
Then they had not already taken their prey; they were coming to claim
it. The boy could have shouted aloud in his triumph and joy; but he held
his peace, for who could tell what peril might not lie in the way?

The next moment he had scaled the steep, slippery rock which led to the
precipitous edge of the crag. Not a sign could he see of his brothers or
the child, but the hounds led right on to the very verge of the
precipice, and for a moment the boy's heart stood still. What if they
had grown afraid of the consequences of their own act, and had resolved
to get rid of the child in a sure and safe fashion!

For a moment Wendot's blood ran cold. He recalled the traits of fierce
cruelty which had sometimes shown themselves in Llewelyn from childhood,
his well-known hatred of the English, his outburst of passion with
Gertrude, so quickly followed by a strange appearance of friendship.
Wendot knew his countrymen and his nation's characteristics, and knew
that fierce acts of treachery were often truly charged upon them. What
if -- But the thought was too repellent to be seriously pursued, and
shaking it off by an effort, he raised his voice and called his brothers
by name.

And then, almost as it seemed from beneath his very feet, there came an
answering call; but the voice was not that of his brothers, but the cry
of a terrified child.

"Oh, who are you? Do, please, come to me. I am so frightened. I know I
shall fall. I know I shall be killed. Do come to me quickly. I don't
know where Llewelyn and Howel have gone."

"I am coming -- I am Wendot," cried the boy, his heart giving a sudden
bound. "You are not hurt, you are safe?"

"Yes; only so giddy and frightened, and the sun is so hot and burning,
and yet it is cold, too. It is such a narrow place, and I cannot get up
or down. I can't see the eagle's nest, and they have been such a long
time going after it. They said they would bring the nest and the young
eagles up to me, but they have never come back. I'm afraid they are
killed or hurt. Oh, if you would only help me up, then we would go and
look for them together! Oh, I am so glad that you h