“Nearer and nearer to a rifted tree not far from these two men crept a dark figure, moving along low on the ground, and as silently as a snake glides, till their every word became audible, their every gesture visible.
“There was much more that the club-armed savage said which need not be repeated. Suffice it to say that the listener heard all, or heard enough, then retired with the same stealthy gliding motion as it had approached.
“Miriam and I set out about noon next day on our return journey.
“With our spirited horse, and light waggonette, three hours would have taken us home easily. But we did not hurry the horse, and it was two o’clock ere we had accomplished half the distance.
“‘We must be quick,’ cried Miriam, looking at her watch with some degree of anxiety depicted on her lovely face.
“She had hardly spoken these words ere an Indian woman tearing a child on her back in her blanket, suddenly appeared at the bend of the road, and begged for a few coppers. I felt too happy to refuse, and drew up. The woman leaned against the wheel, a silver coin glittered in her hand, and next moment we had driven on.
“Our path now wound along through a beautiful forest, and close by the banks of a lake.
“The view was charming in the extreme, and I could not help stopping for just a moment that we might gaze on it. The day was hot and still; there was silence on the hills, silence on pine wood and lake, broken only by an occasional plash as a fish leaped up, or a bird stirred the glassy waters with glad wing. We were almost close to the edge of a fearful precipice.
“‘Get me that flower,’ murmured Miriam, pointing to a deep crimson anemone that grew by the side of the road.
“I sprang down to get it. I had hardly reached the ground ere one of the front wheels flew off and rolled over the rock; it took all my strength to support that side of the machine, until Miriam should alight.