Meanwhile the unhappy youth had heard them drawing nearer and nearer. He knew that it would be impossible to escape discovery, unless the intricacies of their retreat should baffle the hunters, whom they heard drawing nearer and nearer. The dogs, they knew, would not pursue the chase beyond the place of slaughter. Oh! if they had but time to mangle it before the men arrived, so that the manner in which it had met its death might not be discovered—but that was altogether unlikely. And in truth clamorous human cries mingled with wild vociferous barkings, howlings, bayings, and other canine clamour, showed that the hunt was already assembled close by.
"I will go forth and own the deed: then perhaps they will not inquire further——"
"Nay, my son, await God's Will here."
And the old man restrained the youth.
At length they heard such words as these—
"He cannot be far off."
"He is hidden amongst the reeds."
"Turn in the dogs."
"They have tasted blood and are useless."
"Fire the reeds."