Story 1--Chapter XXI.
The Tree-Cave.
A long, rapturous kiss, and a kiss that came nigh betraying them.
Fortunately, it had ended before anyone was near enough to bear witness to it, or blight its sweetness by rude interruption.
The lovers were about taking leave of each other, their arms were once more free, and they were arranging the time and place for another interview, when the quick ear of the young man, attuned to take notice of suspicious sounds, was caught by one that appeared to be of this character.
It was a rustling among the canes that bordered the creek, with now and then their culms crackling together as if something—man or animal—was making way through them.
The sounds proceeded from a point at some distance; but, as the lovers stood listening, they could tell that, whatever made them, was drawing nearer.
And soon they saw that they were not made by an animal, nor yet by a man, but by several men, who, under the clear light of the moon, could be seen approaching the spot.