olutely over fallen trees and jutting rocks, their sides already
dashed with foam, and the flanks bloody with the repeated application of
the rowel. It was soon evident that farther pursuit at such a rate would
be impossible: and Munro, as well for the protection of the horses, as
with a knowledge of this necessity, insisted upon a more moderated and
measured pace.

Much against his own will, Rivers assented, though his impatience
frequent found utterance in words querulously sarcastic. The love of
gain was a besetting sin of the landlord, and it was by this passion
that his accomplice found it easy, on most occasions, to defeat the
suggestions of his better judgment. The tauntings of the former,
therefore, were particularly bestowed upon this feature in his
character, as he found himself compelled to yield to the requisition of
the latter, with whom the value of the horses was no small
consideration.

"Well, well," said Rivers, "if you say so, it must be so; though I am
sure, if we push briskly ahead, we shall find our bargain in it. You too
will find the horse of the youth, upon which you had long since set your
eyes and heart, a full equivalent, even if we entirely ruin the
miserable beasts we ride."

"The horse you ride is no miserable beast," retorted the landlord, who
had some of the pride of a southron in this particular, and seemed
solicitous for the honor of his stud--"you have jaded him by your
furious gait, and seem entirely insensible to the fact that our progress
for the last half hour, continued much longer, would knock up any
animal. I'm not so sure, too, Guy, that we shall find the youngster, or
that we shall be able to get our own bargain out of him when found. He's
a tough colt, I take it, and will show fight unless you surprise him."

"Stay--hear you nothing now, as the wind sets up from below? Was not
that the tramping of a horse?"

They drew up cautiously as the inquiry was put by Rivers, and pausing
for a few minutes, listened attentively. Munro dismounted, and laying
his ear to the ground, endeavored to detect and distinguish the distant
sounds, which, in that way, may be heard with far greater readiness; but
he arose without being satisfied.

"You hear nothing?"

"Not a sound but that which we make ourselves. Your ears to-night are
marvellous quick, but they catch nothing. This is the third time
to-night you have fancied sounds, and heard what I could not; and I
claim to have senses in q