menacingly, while the hounds glared fiercely at the intruder, and
displayed their fangs, but did not bark. As Surrey, however, despite this
caution, continued to advance, the huntsman took a strangely shaped
horn that hung by his side, and placing it to his lips, flames and thick
smoke presently issued from it, and before the vapour had cleared off,
he and his dogs had disappeared.. The witnesses of this marvellous
spectacle crossed themselves reverently, and descended to the brink
of the pool; but the numerous footprints of deer, that came there to
drink, prevented them from distinguishing any marks of the steed of the
ghostly hunter.

"Shall we return, Surrey?" asked the duke.

"No," replied the earl. "I am persuaded we shall see the mysterious
huntsman again. You can return, if you think proper. I will go on."

Nay, I will not leave you," rejoined Richmond.

And they set off again at the same quick pace as before. Mounting a
hill covered with noble beeches and elms, a magnificent view of the
castle burst upon them, towering over the groves they had tracked, and
looking almost like the work of enchantment. Charmed with the view,
the young men continued to contemplate it for some time. They then
struck off on the right, and ascended still higher, until they came to a
beautiful grove of beeches cresting the hill where the equestrian statue
of George the Third is now placed. Skirting this grove, they disturbed a
herd of deer, which started up, and darted into the valley below.

At the foot of two fine beech-trees lay another small pool, and Surrey
almost expected to see the spectral huntsman beside it.