"You are right, Meinik. I hope nothing has gone wrong."
He touched his horse with his heel, and rode on at a gallop. He became more and more anxious, as he approached the village. No flames could be seen leaping up, but there was a dull glow in the sky. As he rode into the clearing, he reined up his horse in dismay. A number of glowing embers, alone, marked the place where the village had stood; and no figures were to be seen moving about.
"There has been foul play, Meinik.
"Get ready for action, men," he said to the two troopers, and they dashed forward at a gallop.
Two or three little groups of people were sitting, in an attitude of deep dejection, by the remains of their houses.
"What has happened?" Stanley shouted, as he rode up.
"The robbers have been here, and have slain many, and burned the village."
"Where is my friend?"
"They have carried him off, my lord; or at least, we cannot find his body. His servant and one of the soldiers are lying dead; but of the other soldier, and the officer, there are no signs."
"This is terrible!" Stanley exclaimed. "Tell me exactly how it happened."