Page:Edgar Huntly, or The Sleep Walker.djvu/241

 you had risen from the dead, had assailed one of the surviving enemies, had employed bullet and dagger in his destruction, with both of which you could only be supplied by supernatural means, and had disappeared. If any inhabitant of Chetasco had done this, we should have heard of it.

"But what remained? You were still alive; your strength was sufficient to bear you from this spot. Why were you still invisible; and to what dangers might you not be exposed before you could extricate yourself from the mazes of this wilderness?

"Once more I procured indefatigable search to be made after you: it was continued till the approach of evening, and was fruitless. Enquiries were twice made at the house where you were supplied with food and intelligence:—on the second call, I was astonished and delighted by the tidings received from the good woman: your person and demeanour and arms were described, and mention made of your resolution to cross the southern ridge, and traverse the Solebury road with the utmost expedition.

"The greater part of my inquietudes were now removed; you were able to eat and to travel, and there was little doubt that a meeting would take place between us on the next morning: meanwhile 1 determined to concur with those who pursued the remainder of the enemy. I followed you in the path that you were said to have taken, and quickly joined a numerous party who were searching for those who on the last night had attacked a plantation that lies near this, and destroyed the inhabitants.

"I need not dwell upon our doublings and circuities. The enemy was traced to the house of Selby; they had entered; they had put fire on the floor, but were compelled to relinquish their prey. Of what number they consisted, could not be ascertained; but one, lingering behind his fellows, was shot at the entrance of the wood, and on the spot where you chanced to light upon him.

"Selby's house was empty, and before the fire had made any progress, we extinguished it. The drunken wretch whom you encountered had probably returned from his nocturnal debauch after we had left the spot.