"Hist!" urged his companion, in the same almost inaudible
whisper, "what sound was that?"

Both again listened attentively, when the noise was
repeated. It came from the orchard, and resembled the
sound produced by the faint crash of rotten sticks and
leaves under the cautious but unavoidably rending tread
of a human foot. At intervals it ceased, as if the person
treading, alarmed at his own noise, was apprehensive of
betraying his approach; and then recommenced, only to be
checked in the same manner. Finally it ceased altogether.

For upwards of five minutes the young men continued to
listen for a renewal of the sound, but nothing was now
audible, save the short and fitful gusts of a rising wind
among the trees of the orchard.

"It must have been some wild animal in search of its
prey," again whispered the younger officer; "had it been
a man, we should have heard him leap the paling before
this."

"By Heaven, we are betrayed,--here he is," quickly rejoined
the other, in the same low tone. "Keep close to the hut,
and stand behind me. If my dagger fail, you must try
your own. But fire not, on your life, unless there be
more than two, for the report of a pistol will be the
destruction of ourselves and all that are dear to us."

Each with uplifted arm now stood ready to strike, even