as their horses could go, so eager was he naturally to solve any
remaining doubts with regard to the existence of his long-lost child.
Jack had been so thoroughly acquainted with all the country round the
farm, that as he approached the neighbourhood of it, where the high-road
ceased and the devious tracks across the marshy land commenced, he had
no difficulty in finding his way. He heard, however, that since he had
been there engineers had come over from Holland, and were engaged with
large gangs of workmen in draining the fen-country. He was able to
traverse, therefore, many places which had before been impassable, and
deep canals had been cut through others, which could only be passed by
means of wooden bridges at considerable distances from each other.
Still he felt sure that he could not mistake his way to the farm. The
nearer, however, he approached the spot where he expected to find it,
the greater difficulty did he experience in making his way. Several
times he had to pull up his horse, and look around him to consider which
direction he should take. Whenever he thought he was right, he pushed
on across the country. Although there were many hard places, there were
still many wide districts of fen-land, in no way changed in appearance
to what it had been when he left it, and often with difficulty he
avoided riding into bogs, out of which it would have been almost
impossible to extricate the horses. At length, to his great
satisfaction, he reached a group of willows which he remembered well.
He was now sure that he could not be mistaken. His own heart beat
quick. He saw by the working of Monsieur de Merten's countenance the
agitation with which he suffered, as at length he pointed out to him in
the far distance the trees which grew round the farm-house to which they
were bound. Jack took the lead, his companion following close behind
him. Already he could distinguish the windows of the house, and he
expected every moment to see the old dogs, which once knew him so well,
come out barking loudly, and then when they should recognise him, leap
up, as they had been accustomed to do, and lick his hands. He hoped to
see Dame Pearson or Elizabeth appear at the door, attracted by the
noise, to observe the approaching horsemen. In vain he waited however.
Not a sound was heard. No barking of dogs, either in anger or in
welcome, reached his ears. As he advanced his heart began to sink.
There was an air of desolati