now of a pine tree, and now of a convenient hillock, Hob had got
himself very comfortably lodged in the recess of an old ditch,
originally cut to carry off a body of water which rested on what was now
in part the public mall. Becoming interested in the proceedings, and
hearing of the departure of Ralph, to whom he had been despatched, his
head gradually assumed a more elevated position--he soon forgot his
precaution, and the shoulders of the spy, neither the most diminutive
nor graceful, becoming rather too protuberant, were saluted with a smart
assault, vigorously kept up by the assailant, to whom the use of the
hickory appeared a familiar matter. Hob roared lustily, and was dragged
from his cover. The note was found upon him, and still further tended to
exaggerate the hostile feeling which the party now entertained for the
youth. Under the terrors of the lash, Hob confessed a great deal more
than was true, and roused into a part forgetfulness of their offence by
the increased prospect of its punishment, which the negro had
unhesitatingly represented as near at hand, they proceeded to the office
of the lawyer.

It was in vain that Pippin denied all the statements of his negro--his
note was thrust into his face; and without scruple, seizing upon his
papers, they consigned to the flames, deed, process, and document--all
the fair and unfair proceedings alike, of the lawyer, collected
carefully through a busy period of twenty years' litigation. They would
have proceeded in like manner to the treatment of Ralph, but that Guy
Rivers himself interposed to allay, and otherwise direct their fury. The
cunning ruffian well knew that Forrester would stand by the youth, and
unwilling to incur any risk, where the game in another way seemed so
secure, he succeeded in quieting the party, by claiming to himself the
privilege, on the part of his wounded honor, of a fair field with one
who had so grievously assailed it. Taking the landlord aside, therefore,
they discussed various propositions for taking the life of one hateful
to the one person and dangerous to them all. Munro was now not unwilling
to recognise the necessity of taking him off; and without entering into
the feelings of Rivers, which were almost entirely personal, he gave his
assent to the deed, the mode of performing which was somewhat to depend
upon circumstances. These will find their due development as we proceed.

In the meanwhile, Ralph had returned to the village-i