objects visible, dimly revealing their forms and proportions. The
trapper, by exercising that species of influence, over his companions,
which experience and decision usually assert, in cases of emergency,
had effectually succeeded in concealing them in the grass, and by the
aid of the feeble rays of the luminary, he was enabled to scan the
disorderly party which was riding, like so many madmen, directly upon
them.

A band of beings, who resembled demons rather than men, sporting in
their nightly revels across the bleak plain, was in truth approaching,
at a fearful rate, and in a direction to leave little hope that some
one among them, at least, would not pass over the spot where the
trapper and his companions lay. At intervals, the clattering of hoofs
was borne along by the night wind, quite audibly in their front, and
then, again, their progress through the fog of the autumnal grass, was
swift and silent; adding to the unearthly appearance of the spectacle.
The trapper, who had called in his hound, and bidden him crouch at his
side, now kneeled in the cover also, and kept a keen and watchful eye
on the route of the band, soothing the fears of the girl, and
restraining the impatience of the youth, in the same breath.

"If there's one, there's thirty of the miscreants!" he said, in a sort
of episode to his whispered comments. "Ay, ay; they are edging towards
the river--Peace, pup--peace--no, here they come this way again--the
thieves don't seem to know their own errand! If there were just six of
us, lad, what a beautiful ambushment we might make upon them, from
this very spot--it won't do, it won't do, boy; keep yourself closer,
or your head will be seen--besides, I'm not altogether strong in the
opinion it would be lawful, as they have done us no harm.--There they
bend again to the river--no; here they come up the swell--now is the