Schuyler smiled.
“As to why I came here, it is easily answered. I was brought here a prisoner, by a party of Indians and Tories, who camped with me in the woods at the foot of the hill. Last night a strange apparition entered our camp, killed or frightened away all the Indians, and released me. I am trying now to find my way back to Derryfield.”
Diana listened to his words with apparent wonder.
“A strange apparition! What! is he here again?”
“I know not to whom you refer, lady, but a creature in the likeness of a man, but with cloven feet and horns, created such a panic among my captors as I never saw paralleled.”
“And still you dare stay here,” said the girl, in a tone of wonder. “Oh, sir, if you value your life, let me entreat you to fly. The road to Derryfield is straight and easy.”
“And yet you stay here,” said the hussar, meaningly. “Why should I fear what you do not?”
“Oh, sir, that is different. I am—I can not tell you what. But I entreat you to fly.”
“Madam,” said Schuyler, gravely, “I should be glad to do so, for my duty calls me away. But I have no horse, and the woods are full of enemies. If I go on foot, the chances are that I never get there.”
“What then? You can not stay here—you say you saw him—what is to be done? You must go back whence you came.”