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248 did I until this infidel Philip pillaged and drove us forth. It may be now—what sound was that?”

David listened. “I heard nothing, Memecho. Whither came it? ”

“Be still, brother!”

And then David himself heard. From a little distance came the crackling of a twig,  a tiny sound enough, but momentous to  those who hearkened. Silence followed. David strained his ears. It might well be no more than a beast of the forest, and yet hope  told another tale. After what seemed a long time, a swishing sound in the rushes nearer  at hand turned his eyes sharply to the left. At first naught was to be seen in the gray darkness. Then, vague, formless, something emerged from the gloom close beside him.