Then Adrian Schuyler began to cogitate within himself what was best to do. He knew that if he could not get to Derryfield, his labor was in vain, and he was equally aware that without a horse he could never expect to get there alive. Puzzling over his future course, he was startled by the footsteps of a horse outside, and clutching his carbine with his manacled hands, he started up and turned to the door. The chain that connected his irons just gave him sufficient play for his hands to fire a gun, and he expected an enemy.
What was his surprise at the group that met his view?
A horse without a rider, but saddled and bridled, was being led to the door of the hut by a huge black bear, the very creature that he had beheld gamboling with the girl the day before. The bear walked sedately forward, holding the bridle in his mouth, and the horse followed as if he was perfectly content with his clumsy conductor.
Full of amazement, Schuyler stepped out of the hut and looked around. Not a human creature was to be seen, either in the clearing or at the edge of the woods, but even as he stood there an arrow rose in the air from the forest in a diagonal line, described a curve in the air, and fell at his feet.
A little white note was attached to the arrow.
Instinctively Schuyler picked it up, just as the tame bear stopped in front of him and stood rubbing his head against him, in a friendly and confiding manner. The hussar opened the note and read as follows:
“Ride the horse in sight of Derryfield. Then strip off his bridle, and turn him loose. I have ventured much for your sake. Keep our secret for mine.
“Diana.”
“Ay, by heavens, I will, sweet Diana,” cried the hussar, in loud tones, intended to catch the ear of a person concealed in the woods. “A thousand blessings on your head. You have saved your country one disaster.”
Without a moment’s delay he took the bridle of the horse, cast it over the animal’s head, and mounted.