east had already stripped the faded leaves from the trees of the forest, and the heavens were f

nce those incendiaries had issued who had given Yew Farm, with all its inmates, to the vengeful flames; but that this latter

nd survey the destruction of his property, although he was not free from a terrible dread that his sins were

is care; not to mention the loss of some common men, who could easily be replaced: for there were ever fresh swarms of N

, the forerunners of the Robin Hoods and Little Johns of later days, whose exploits ag

ugh all the woods were explored, save only that impassable Dismal Swamp, where all seem

ranged the woods with his dogs

cut off by their unseen foe; but in his hunts, accompanied by Pierre, his sole surviving companion, he

ed by the destroyer, and therefore, by their lord's permission, concentrated their forces in and around the castle,

atened to be very little left to burn, unless some prompt and decisive measures were taken; but superstitious fear

s to beg their aid against a combination of outlaws united against law and society, who had burnt his f

sh was disunion--and favourable replies being received, a day was appointed for

rt to prevail against coming winter. The wind was fresh and bracing, and n

lle, and a large body of their retainers, arrived at the castle. They found the men of Aes

be subdivided and thoroughly explored. All human tracks were to be followed up by the help of the hounds, and pris

est, already known to our readers. Hugo believed it impenetrable, and that no human being could li

able and impassable; he had never heard any sounds of life from within; he thought the place haunt

d, although with little hope of finding any trace of the foe; but should such be found, it

between his chief retainers. Every nook was to be investigated, and signals we

endune alone, occupied a circuit of some fifteen miles, bounded on the east by a s

hat faint indications had been gained of the wher

ghtly armed, because of the distance they had to travel,

to the party Ralph, his chief forester, strictly charging Etienne in any difficulty to be guided by his advi

n they divided and again subdivided, and each took their different routes, they appeared lost in the vastness of the forest, and

by Etienne, which, indeed, was destined to surpass all the others in the results accompli

it was part of the training they had received as hunters to find their way in the lonely woods; and there were signs innumerable which told them where they were, and in what direct

e, by the direction in which it threw its boughs and by the mo

ntry, many wild glens and deep fastnesses hitherto un

nd, and along the banks of each stream of sweet water, where men might come to drink, but by noon they had traversed the whole extent of their territory in a straight line, and discovered nothing. Once, indeed, they thought they were on the scent of man; but they had crossed th

presence, and frustrate the object of their expedition; but the yo

ere, and soon the poor boar was dissected, and the choicest parts of his flesh held

led and twisted in a thousand fantastic shapes, some yet retained a portion of their leaves--brown and sere, one or two were enveloped with ivy, and here and there the mistletoe

seated their own comely forms, while others piled fresh sticks upon the fire, and held out

ng with the dogs, now only two in number, when the elder of the

to be uneasy,"

ild boar,

entinel or two? we might be ta

eft thy manhood? Art thou

shadows who b

substance, then we m

int men to

tienne, quite wilfully, for he h

logs so as to form seats. They were soon eating with the zest of men who have had the

ked uneas

enough for our dinner," said Etienne

named Gilbert, leapt up with a wild cry,

ad pierced

this sudden intrusion of de

ry followed this deadly act of h

ing instinctively the command; "let your ow

unks of the trees, stood, their arrows fitted to the

enne, who had quite recovered his audacity, and who was a little nettled

ver, the miscreants have probably fled

sure might be that of death. Still they were forced to undergo the risk, and they searched the

ir search w

n and summon further a

or the cause was sufficient--they were at least in the neighbourhood of the foe whom all p

after an hour had passed in this vain attempt to track the invisible foe, Etienne gave orders to abandon the spot a

ight, and there were heavy clouds in the northeast, which seemed to indicate a snowstorm; he thoug

urn, old man; for me, I will stay here till my duty is

f thy house has ever thus s

t upon thyself; and now lead the way--our path is westward. Examine

without any further alarm, when the d

gs before, and their light jerkins of untanned leather were not proo

ide; here and there some monarch of the woods had fallen, and was now covered over with ivy; but no

se roseate tints which they receive from the setting sun; while behind them vast masses, which looked black by contrast with th

ould not have given much to find himself safe in the castle; but their wilful young l

ew about them--precursors of the coming storm. Their work was still unaccomplished, but Etienne at length heeded the mu

unfinished--we can see no longe

e thee to number the par

m thyself,

fte

ere we rested, but where

m now--it is so dark, the hour i

ish fiends, perhaps by real demons. There are many who affirm as much, and there is not a man

most experienced in woodcraft, and for a mile or two led with confide

face; while, to add to their discomfort, the snow, now they had changed their course, blew into their faces; the win

s forced to confess he could no

our reason. Let them have long leashes, and go as freely as possible;

a solitary light, as from a man carrying a torch, arise before them