outposts were as regularly set as are those of an advancing army in
an enemy's country.

"Hither had the fair Bettina been conducted; and here, with a simple
peasant girl to serve her, had she been treated with all respect,
save that she was a prisoner. Rude were the inhabitants of this
uncongenial spot; fierce in aspect, but completely under the control
of the master spirit, whom they called captain. Hark! A peculiar
wild cry rings over the tree-tops, and echoes among the rocks and
hills; and observe how quickly those who have been loitering upon
the ground spring to their feet, and Petard himself comes forth from
that portion of the tower devoted to his retirement. That was some
recognized signal-that cry which, to the uninitiated, might have
been mistaken for the whoop of an owl, or some wild bird's cry of
fright.

"The secret is soon disclosed. That signal betokened the taking of a
captive, and there was soon led into their midst the person of one
whom misery seemed to have laid violent hands upon, with garments
torn and soiled, with a step that indicated weakness almost to death
itself, the face disfigured by unshorn beard and hair, and eyes that
looked sunken and large from famine. Such was the bent and
woe-begone figure that was now half-supported, half-led into the
midst of the band.

"'From whence comes this man?' asked Petard, regarding him
curiously.

"'He was found lurking about our outskirts, captain, and we thought
it best to arrest and bring him in.'