as
immovable as statues. Silently they sat, neither horse nor rider moving,
not a sound escaping their lips. The mighty throng of horsemen were now
passing directly in front, and the two silent watchers of the night
quickly joined the mad race. Not a word escaped any of them until they
were nearing Jack Wade's cabin. Then one fellow leaned over and
whispered, through his heavy dark head-gear, to his companion nearest
him, "Wonder if he'll fall in, too?" There was no reply. Perhaps one was
not expected.

On they flew, black demons of darkness, destructive vultures of freedom,
cutting the wind as if they had been a two-edged sword; slashing the
mist with their foaming steeds, dark steeds, as dark as the starless
night; enshrouded in caps as dark as the cloud-covered moon, speaking
never a word, but groaning destruction deep down in their revengeful
souls.

Jack Wade was awakened from a peaceful slumber by the thundrous tramp of
the horses' heavy feet as they galloped swiftly by. He rose stupidly and
went out, but as he looked, saw nothing, yet it seemed to him that the
very atmosphere of the valley was alive with fantastic dancers. The
weird spectacle grew before his sleep-ladened eyes, until the devils of
hell seemed encrouched about him. Evidently they were bent on tearing
his heart asunder, for there they were preparing to spring upon him.

"Begone, ye devils!"

The beat of the horses' feet falling upon the softer ground grew fainter
and fainter, until the sound could be heard no more. Wade sat in his
doorway pondering and wondering over the strangeness of the people among
whom he had taken up his abode. He knew that the noise which woke him
had been made by the tramping of many horses, but knew not whither they
were bound, nor what their errand. He sat for a long time looking down
through the lowlands, dreaming, pondering. Ever the great dark eyes of
the valley girl danced in the moonlight space before him. Her soft
stare, tender hands, and innocent expression haunted him. Out in the
deep distance a dog was baying. The horsemen had no doubt awakened him
as they had awakened Wade, and he was entering his protest in loud and
continuous bays. Behind him a rooster was crowing the midnight hour, his
own wall clock tolling the same hour. Overhead the moon was shining
brightly, sending her silvery rays to greet all the earth.

Suddenly there arose over the valley the shout of many voices, mingled
with the baying of as