Page:The Necromancer, or, The Tale of the Black Forest Vol. 2.djvu/39

 It was now so dark that I could hardly distinguish the objects before my eyes, when a sudden rustling in the thicket made me start: I listened, but all was silent again, and I pursued my way without any apprehension, thinking it might have been a deer; but was not gone far when I heard the rustling again much louder than at first, and close by me: I now beheld, on a sudden, a man with a sack on his back, and a staff in his hand, coming out of the thicket, within the short distance of two or three paces. This unexpected sight gladdened my heart, flattering me with the sweet hope of getting a friendly conductor out of that dreary wilderness, who would direct my weary steps to a place of rest.

"Whither art thou going, good friend?" exclaimed I.

"To the mill," answered he, groaning under his burthen.