and of course Colonel ---- would send a trustworthy messenger. Dart was
soon ready at the door, and away they marched on their journey to ----.
Five and twenty miles across a country--and such a country on an autumn
night, was not a very cheering prospect. The guide did not belie his
active appearance, but though Smyth repeatedly endeavoured to keep up a
conversation, he seemed to shrink from inquiry, and went doggedly on his
way, returning at last merely monosyllabic replies when addressed.

It was an autumnal evening;--the sky looked wild and stormy, though the
air was densely still, and save when a momentary breeze swept by, as the
night was setting in, a general hush prevailed. A general character of
intense loneliness pervaded the district they were traversing. Now and
then a mountain stream would flash along the bosom of a valley and relieve
the mind of the traveller; but rocks and mountains, heaths and dreary
wilds succeeded with unwearying sameness. Time was creeping on. After
passing over this wild, irregular district they at last entered into a
dark valley, which seemed of some extent. The Lieutenant thought that he
had been certainly led a very different route to his friend's house, from
that which his guide was now leading him, and as the gloom was increasing,
he seriously expostulated with the man on the subject. He replied that
five miles were saved by cutting across the moors, on which they would
enter after clearing the valley. A shade of suspicion now crossed over the
Lieutenant's mind. There was something remarkable in the man's silence,
and he resolved when they entered on the moors to put spurs to his horse
and leave the rest to fate. The road which had been on the ascent for some
time, now became exceedingly bad, and indeed almost impassable. Large
masses of rock were scattered over the path, and deep hollow chasms, the
effect of the violent storms which descend in these wilds, were
continually endangering both horse and man. At length they began to
descend. The moors lay at the foot of the hill. On this side, however, the