ng amongst the foliage; the blue cushat, scared at the clatter of
the horses' hoofs, sped on swift wing into quarters secure from their
approach; while the parti-colored pies, like curious village gossips,
congregated to peer at the strangers, expressing their astonishment by
loud and continuous chattering. Though so gentle of ascent as to be
almost imperceptible, it was still evident that the path they were
pursuing gradually mounted a hill-side; and when at length they reached
an opening, the view disclosed the eminence they had insensibly won.
Pausing for a moment upon the brow of the hill, Luke pointed to a stream
that wound through the valley, and, tracing its course, indicated a
particular spot amongst the trees. There was no appearance of a
dwelling house--no cottage roof, no white canvas shed, to point out the
tents of the wandering tribe whose abode they were seeking. The only
circumstance betokening that it had once been the haunt of man were a
few gray monastic ruins, scarce distinguishable from the stony barrier
by which they were surrounded; and the sole evidence that it was still
frequented by human beings was a thin column of pale blue smoke, that
arose in curling wreaths from out the brake, the light-colored vapor
beautifully contrasting with the green umbrage whence it issued.

"Our destination is yonder," exclaimed Luke, pointing in the direction
of the vapor.

"I am glad to hear it," cried Turpin, "as well as to perceive there is
some one awake. That smoke holds out a prospect of breakfast. No smoke
without fire, as old Lady Scanmag said; and I'll wager a trifle that
fire was not lighted for the fayter fellows to count their fingers by.
We shall find three sticks, and a black pot with a kid seething in it,
I'll engage. These gipsies have picked out a prettyish spot to quarter
in--quite picturesque, as one may say--and but for that tell-tale smoke,
which looks for all the world like a Dutch skipper blowing his morning
cloud, no one need know of their vicinity. A pretty place, upon my
soul."

The spot, in sooth, merited Turpin's eulogium. It was a little valley,
in the midst of wooded hills, so secluded, that not a single habitation
appeared in view. Clothed with timber to the very summits, excepting on
the side where the party stood, which verged upon the declivity, these
mountainous ridges presented a broken outline of foliage, variegated
with tinted masses of bright orange, timber, and deepest gree