of loud, exulting laughter.

"It is Herne! it is Herne!" burst from every lip. And they all started
in pursuit, urging the horses to their utmost speed. Sir Thomas Wyat had
instantly remounted his steed, and he came up with the others.

Herne's triumphant and demoniacal laugh was heard as he scoured with
the swiftness of the wind down the long glade. But the fiercest
determination animated his pursuers, who, being all admirably mounted,
managed to keep him fully in view.

Away! away! he speeded in the direction of the lake; and after him they
thundered, straining every sinew in the desperate chase. It was a wild
and extraordinary sight, and partook of the fantastical character of a
dream.

At length Herne reached the acclivity, at the foot of which lay the
waters of the lake glimmering in the starlight; and by the time he had
descended to its foot, his pursuers had gained its brow.

The exertions made by Sir Thomas Wyat had brought him a little in
advance of the others. Furiously goading his horse, he dashed down the
hillside at a terrific pace.

All at once, as he kept his eye on the flying figure of the demon, he
was startled by a sudden burst of flame in the valley. A wide circle
of light was rapidly described, a rumbling sound was heard like that
preceding an earth-quake, and a tremendous explosion followed, hurling
trees and fragments of rock into the air.

Astounded at the extraordinary occurrence, and not knowing what might
ensue, the pursuers reined in their steeds. But the terror of the scene
was not yet over. The whole of the brushwood had caught fire, and blazed
up with the fury and swiftness of lighted flax. The flames caught the
parched branches of the trees, and in a few seconds the whole grove was
on fire.

The sight was awfully grand, for the wind, which was blowing strongly,
swept the flames forward, so that they devoured all before them.

When the first flash was seen the demon had checked his steed and backed
him, so that he had escaped without injury, and he stood at the edge of
the flaming circle watching the progress of the devastating element; but
at last, finding that his pursuers had taken heart and were approaching
him, he bestirred himself, and rode round the blazing zone.

Having by this time recovered from their surprise, Wyat and Surrey
dashed after him, and got so near him that they made sure of his
capture. But at the very moment they expected to reach him, he turned
his horse