themselves or those around them. They were men
habituated, it may be, to villanies; but of a petty description, and far
beneath that which we have just recorded. It is not, therefore, to be
wondered at, if, when the momentary impulse had passed away, they felt
numerous misgivings. They were all assembled, as on the day
before--their new allies with them--arms in their hands, but seemingly
without much disposition for their use. They sauntered unconsciously
about the village, in little groups or individually, without concert or
combination, and with suspicious or hesitating eye. Occasionally, the
accents of a single voice broke the general silence, though but for a
moment; and then, with a startling and painful influence, which imparted
a still deeper sense of gloom to the spirits of all. It appeared to come
laden with a mysterious and strange terror, and the speaker, aptly
personifying the Fear in Collins's fine "Ode on the Passions," "shrunk
from the sound himself had made."

Ralph, in company with Forrester, made his appearance among the
squatters while thus situated. Seeing them armed as on the previous day,
he was apprehensive of some new evil; and as he approached the several
stray groups, made known his apprehensions to his companion in strong
language. He was not altogether assured of Forrester's own compunction,
and the appearance of those around almost persuaded him to doubt his
sincerity.

"Why are these people assembled, Forrester--is there anything new--is
there more to be done--more bloodletting--more crime and violence--are
they still unsatisfied?"

The earnestness of the inquirer was coupled with a sternness of eye and
warmth of accent which had in them much, that, under other circumstances
and at other times, would have been sorely offensive to the sturdy
woodman; whose spirit, anything in the guise of rebuke would have been
calculated to vex. But he was burdened with thoughts at the moment,
which, in a sufficiently meritorial character, humbled him with a
scourge that lacerated at every stroke.

"God forbid, 'squire, that more harm should be done. There has been more
done already than any of us shall well get rid of. I wish to heaven I
had taken caution from you. But I was mad, 'squire, mad to the heart,
and became the willing tool of men not so mad, but more evil than I! God
forbid, sir, that there should be more harm done."

"Then why this assembly? Why do the villagers, and these ragged and
sav