against the law," said a hoarse voice, that came
apparently from the air, as the darkness of the hour--which was
increased by an overcast and lowering sky, as well as by the thick wood
through which the road ran, prevented the stricken man from discerning
anything that might have done him harm, even if such thing had been
bodily present. The soldier lay for a moment prostrate, bewildered by
the suddenness of this mysterious visitation; and when, at length, he
regained his feet, he almost fancied that he heard receding from him,
at a great distance, the dull beat of a horse's foot upon the sandy
road.

Curry, who as a soldier was insensible to fear, now shook in every
joint, as he stood beside his horse in a state of confused and ravelled
wonderment. He strained his ear to catch the sound in the direction
towards which he thought he had heard the retreating footsteps, but his
more deliberate attention persuaded him that he was mistaken in his
first impression. Still more puzzled as he came into the possession of
his faculties, of which the abruptness of the surprise had almost bereft
him, he stood for some time mute; then drawing his sword with the
alacrity of a man, who all at once believes himself in danger of an
uplifted blow, he called out loudly,

"Speak, and show yourself, if you be a man! Or if there be a party, let
them come forth. Who waylays me? Remember, I warn him, in the name of
the king, that I am on his majesty's errand, and that they are not far
off who will punish any outrage on my person. By all the powers of
Satan, the place is bewitched!" he exclaimed, after a pause. "Once more,
speak; whether you are to be conjured in the name of the king or of the
devil!"

All remained silent, except the leaves of the forest that fluttered in
the breeze; and it was with an awkward and unacknowledged sense of
faint-heartedness that Curry put up his sword and remounted into his
saddle. He first moved slowly forward in continuation of his journey;
and, as his thoughts still ran upon the extraordinary incident, he
applied spurs to his horse's side, and gradually increased his pace from
a trot to a gallop, and from that to almost high speed, until he emerged
from the wood upon a track of open country. When he reached this spot
the day had already appeared above the eastern horizon; and reassured,
as the light waxed stronger, the dragoon, by degrees, fell into his
customary travelling pace, and resumed the equanimity