way but little wont among those of this Colony, yet hath he done no great
wrong. I will go nigh, and examine with less risk of error."

There was, in this proposal, too much of that spirit of right-doing which
governed all of those simple regions, to meet serious opposition. Content,
supported by Eben Dudley, again quitted the postern, and proceeded
directly, though still not without sufficient caution, towards the point
where the suspicious object lay. A bend in the fence had first brought it
into view, for previously to reaching that point, its apparent direction
might for some distance have been taken under shelter of the shadows of
the rails, which, at the immediate spot where it was seen, were turned
suddenly in a line with the eyes of the spectators. It seemed as if the
movements of those who approached were watched; for the instant they left
the defences, the dark object was assuredly motionless; even the keen eye
of Reuben Ring beginning to doubt whether some deception of vision had not
led him, after all, to mistake a billet of wood for a creature of life.

But Content and his companion were not induced to change their
determination. Even when within fifty feet of the object, though the moon
fell full and brightly upon the surface, its character baffled conjecture.
One affirmed it was the end of a charred log, many of which still lay
scattered about the fields, and the other believed it some cringing animal
of the woods. Twice Content raised his piece to tire, and as often did he
let it fall, in reluctance to do injury to even a quadruped of whose
character he was ignorant. It is more than probable that his less
considerate, and but half-obedient companion would have decided the
question soon after leaving he postern, had not the peculiar contents of
his musket rendered him delicate of its uses.