Page:The last of the Mohicans (1826 Volume 2).djvu/155

 beneath them passed, than they gladly stooped at random to that hideous haven where their revolting food so freely abounded.

In short, it was a scene of wildness and desolation, and it appeared as if all who had profanely entered it had been stricken at a blow by the powerful and relentless arm of death. But the prohibition had ceased; and for the first time since the perpetrators of those foul deeds which had assisted to disfigure the scene were gone, living human beings had now presumed to approach the dreary place.

About an hour before the setting of the sun, on the day already mentioned, the forms of five men might have been seen issuing from the narrow vista of trees, where the path to the Hudson entered the forest, and advancing in the direction of the ruined works. At first their progress was slow and guarded, as though they entered with reluctance amid the horrors of the spot, or dreaded the renewal of some of its frightful incidents. A light figure preceded the rest of the party with all the