by the sheriff of the county and a few resolute men, well
mounted and armed to the teeth. As he approached the river which
bounded the gypsy camp upon one side, the sexton looked in vain for a
guiding light--no fires blazed upon the green, no hidden glare was
reflected in the mirror of the stream. Still he spurred on his horse,
and followed hard by his companions, gallantly forded the stream and
crossed the open meadows. The tents had all been struck, and no sound
was heard in that deserted place, except the rushing of the boisterous
wind and the tinkling of the raindrops as they fell upon the river.
The parties reined up their horses, and the sexton and the sheriff
held a brief conference together. While they were yet conversing, a
broad and brilliant blaze shot up from the centre of the forest,
illuminating a wide and well-trodden path which led directly to the
light. The first flash of radiance dazzled the eyes of the horsemen,
but when they became accustomed to the glare, they beheld distinctly
several wild forms lounging around the fire, evidently unconscious of
the approach of danger.

"Now is our time, my lads," said the sheriff, in a low tone. "Forward,
and we shall have them all."

Every rowel was instantly employed, and the party pushed forward at a
gallop. Bowing their heads to avoid the swaying branches, they bent
over their horses' necks in the intense ardor of pursuit. The sheriff
and the sexton rode side by side, and had nearly attained their
object, when their horses fell suddenly, and threw them to the ground
with violence. In fine, the whole party had stumbled upon pitfalls dug
for them, and not a horseman of the troop escaped an overthrow. While
they were rolling on the ground, entangled in the stirrups, and
receiving severe injuries from the struggling horses, a shrill cry
arose from the depth of the woods, and a dozen stout ruffians set upon
them, seized, and pinioned them. The sexton and the sheriff were
conducted by two of the gang to the presence of the gypsy queen, who
sat upon a rude form raised upon the trunk of a huge oak, and
sheltered by an ample awning of oiled cloth. The sheriff's followers
were borne away in another direction. The wild woman and her wilder
attendants were perfectly distinct in the ruddy firelight, though the
whole scene had, to the eyes of the victims, the appearance of a
vision of night.

"Well, sirs," said the queen, "you came to see us, and you have found
us. Hav