ould he die in her defence than face her father with the story
of the base treachery of his brothers.

The path grew wilder and steeper; the vegetation became more scant. The
heat of the sun was tempered by the cold of the upper air. It was easier
to climb, and the boy felt that his muscles were made of steel.

Suddenly a new sound struck upon his ear. It was like the whinny of a
horse, only that there was in it a note of distress. Glancing sharply
about him, Wendot saw Lady Gertrude's small white palfrey standing
precariously on a ledge of rock, and looking pitifully about him, unable
to move either up or down. The creature had plainly been turned loose
and abandoned, and in trying to find his way home had stranded upon this
ledge, and was frightened to move a step. Wendot was fond of all
animals, and could not leave the pretty creature in such a predicament.

"Besides, Gertrude may want him again for the descent," he said; and
although every moment was precious, he contrived to get the horse up the
steep bank and on to better ground, and then tethered him on a small
grassy plateau, where he could feed and take his ease in safety for an
hour or two to come.

That matter accomplished, the lad was up and off again. He had now to
trust to the hounds to direct him, for he did not know what track his
brothers would have taken, and the hard rocks gave no indications which
he could follow. But the dogs were well used to their work, and with
their noses to the ground followed the trail unceasingly, indicating
from time to time by a deep bay that they were absolutely certain of
their direction.

High overhead loomed the apex of the great crag. Wendot knew that he had
not much farther to go. He was able to distinguish the cairn of stones
which he and his brothers had once erected on the top in honour of their
having made the ascent in a marvellously short space of time. Wendot had
beaten that record today, he knew; but his eyes were full of anxiety
instead of triumph. He was scanning every track and every inch of
distance for traces of the foe he felt certain were somewhere at hand.
Had they been here already, and had they carried off the prey? Or were
they only on their way, and had he come in time to thwart their purpose yet?

Ha! what was that?

Wendot had reached the shoulder of the mountain; he could see across the
valley -- could see the narrow winding track which led to the stronghold
of Maelgon. The Eagle's Crag,