on't remember ever having done a harsh thing in my life, or hurt to
anyone not deserving it."

"I am sure you never did, masser."

"My dealing with this man may seem an exception. For sure as I live,
I'll kill him, or he shall kill me."

"There'd be no cruelty in that. He deserve die, if ever man did."

"He shall. I've sworn it--you know when and where. My poor mother sent
to an untimely grave! Her spirit seems now speaking to me--urging me to
keep my oath. Let us on!"

They spur out into the moonlight, and off over the open plain, the hound
no longer in the lead. His nose is not needed now. The slot of Darke's
galloping horse is so conspicuous they can clearly see it, though going
fast as did he.

Half an hour at this rapid pace, and they are again under shadow. It is
that of the bluff, so dark they can no longer make out the hoof-marks of
the retreating horseman.

For a time they are stayed, while once more leashing the hound, and
setting it upon the scent.

Brasfort lifts it with renewed spirit; and, keeping in advance, conducts
them to an opening in the wall of rock. It is the entrance to a gorge
going upward. They can perceive a trodden path, upon which are the
hoof-prints of many horses, apparently an hundred of them.

Clancy dismounts to examine them. He takes note, that they are of
horses unshod; though there are some with the iron on. Most of them are
fresh, among others of older date. Those recently made have the
convexity of the hoof turned towards the river. Whoever rode these
horses came down the gorge, and kept on for the crossing. He has no
doubt, but that they are the same, whose tracks were observed in the
slough, and at the ford--now known to have been made by the freebooters.
As these have come down the glen, in all likelihood they will go up it
in return.

The thought should deter him from proceeding farther in that direction.

But it does not. He is urged on by his oath--by a determination to keep
it at all cost. He fancies Darke cannot be far ahead, and trusts to
overtaking, and settling the affair, before his confederates come up.

Reflecting thus, he enters the ravine, and commences ascending its
slope, Jupiter and Brasfort following.

On reaching the upland plain, they have a different light around, from
that below on the bottom-land. The moon is clouded over, but her
silvery sheen is replaced by a gloaming of grey. There are streaks of
bluish colour, rose tin