“If I can judge, sir, it is nothing remarkable in the way of size.”

“I understand this better.  By Jupiter, boy, that cow has been milked!  It is certain none of our people have left the house to do it, since the alarm was first given.  This is ominous of neighbours.”

The major made no reply, but he felt to ascertain if his arms were in a state for immediate service.  After a moment’s further pause the captain proceeded, moving with increased caution.  Not a word was now uttered, for they were getting within the shadows of the orchard, and indeed of the forest, where objects could not well be distinguished at the distance of a very few yards.  A cabin was soon reached, and it was found empty; the fire reduced to a few embers, and quite safe.  This was the residence of the man who had the care of the horses, the stables standing directly behind it.  Captain Willoughby was a thoughtful and humane man, and it struck him the animals might now be turned into a field that joined the barn-yard, where there was not only rich pasture, but plenty of sweet running water.  This he determined to do at once, the only danger being from the unbridled movements of cattle that must be impatient from unusual privation, and a prolonged restraint.

The major opened the gate of the field, and stationed himself in a way to turn the animals in the desired direction, while his father went into the stable to set them free.  The first horse came out with great deliberation, being an old animal well cooled with toil at the plough, and the major had merely to swing his arm, to turn him into the field.  Not so with the next, however.  This was little better than a colt, a creature in training for his master’s saddle; and no sooner was it released than it plunged into the yard, then bounded into the field, around which it galloped, until it found the water.  The others imitated this bad example; the clatter of hoofs, though beaten on a rich turf, soon resounding in the stillness of the night, until it might be heard across the valley.  The captain then rejoined his son.

“This is a good deed somewhat clumsily done, Bob,” observed the father, as he picked up his rifle and prepared to proceed.  “An Indian ear, however, will not fail to distinguish between the tramping of horses and a charge of foot.”

“Faith, sir, the noise may serve us a good turn yet.  Let us take another look at the fires, and see if this tramping has set any one in motion near them.  We can get a glimpse a little further ahead.”

The look was taken, but nothing was seen.  While standing perfectly motionless, beneath the shadows of an apple-tree, however, a sound was heard quite near them, which resembled that of a guarded footstep.  Both gentlemen drew up, like sportsmen expecting the birds to rise, in waiting for the sound to approach.  It did draw nearer, and presently a human form was seen moving slowly forward in the path, approaching the tree, as if to get within its cover.  It was allowed to draw nearer and nearer, until captain Willoughby laid his hand, from behind the trunk, on the stranger’s shoulder, demanding sternly, but in a low voice, “who are you?”