It did not become me to pursue him, so I
passed on heedlessly, lest he might have companions, who would set
upon me, and make me an easy prey to their revengeful feelings." As
each word fell from the stranger's lips, Romescos and his companion
became irresistibly excited.
Again repeating the directions, which the stranger did with great
precision, they drank a parting social glass: the mounted huntsmen
thanked the pedestrian for his valuable information, gave him a warm
shake of the hand, and, as he arranged his haversack, rode off at
full gallop in the direction indicated. The dogs, cunning brutes,
trained to the state's brutality, mutely kept in advance. "In luck
yet!" exclaims Bengal, as they rode onward, in high glee,
anticipating the valuable game about to fall into their hands.
"Ho! dogs-and back!" shrieked Romescos, at the top of his shrill
voice, his sandy hair hanging in tufts over his little reddened
face, now glowing with excitement. Instantly the dogs started off
through the thicket, and after making a circle of about a mile,
returned with heads up, and eyes fiercely flashing. Trailing in a
semicircle ahead they seemed eager for another command.
"Better keep them back," mutters Bengal; and as Romescos gives the
word,--"Come back!" they form a trail behind.
Now white fleecy clouds begin to obscure the sun; then it disappears
in a murky haze, and is no longer their guide. After two hours'
riding they find a wrong turn has led them far away from their
course, and to avoid retracing their steps they make a short cut
through the thicket.
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