imagination, until each, filled with a sentiment not
unallied to superstitious awe, feared to whisper forth
his thoughts, lest in so doing he should invoke the
presence of those who had principally figured in the
harrowing and revolting scene.

"Did you not hear a noise?" at length whispered the elder,
as he leaned himself forward, and bent his head to the
sand, to catch more distinctly a repetition of the sound.

"I did; there again! It is upon the bridge, and not unlike
the step of one endeavouring to tread lightly. It may be
some wild beast, however."

"We must not be taken by surprise," returned his companion.
"If it be a man, the wary tread indicates consciousness
of our presence. If an animal, there can be no harm in
setting our fears at rest."

Cautiously stealing from his lurking-place, the young
officer emerged into the open sands, and in a few measured
noiseless strides gained the extremity of the bridge.
The dark shadow of something upon its centre caught his
eye, and a low sound like that of a dog lapping met his
ear. While his gaze yet lingered on the shapeless object,
endeavouring to give it a character, the clouds which
had so long obscured it passed momentarily from before
the moon, and disclosed the appalling truth. It was a
wolf-dog lapping up from the earth, in which they were
encrusted, the blood and brains of the unfortunate Frank