"Brother, and you, master Imp, make for the city;
away!" And soon, from the diminished sound, she knew
that they had parted company with a portion of her
convoy. She could hear, too, that the remaining
horseman of the four, for that had been the number,
had now fallen into the rear, and, soon, she thought
she heard through her mufflings a voice crying as if
commanding them to stay; and again she heard it, but
it had grown fainter, and wider from the track they
were pursuing, and now nothing was heard but the
sound of their impetuous course through the wood.
This was soon cleared, when their speed seemed to
relax, and the hard breathing of the overstrained
beasts, proclaimed how much the chase had told upon
them; and at last the veil was slightly raised, a large,
coarse visage peered under it, and the hoarse voice
enquired mockingly: "How fares my bird? We will
let a little light into its cage, if it will promise to
sing no more. What says my hooded crow?" and a
titanic and convulsive hug followed, causing her to
shrink with pain, and revolt in disgust and horror;
feelings which changed to mortal apprehension, when
the same lascivious looking ruffian bade his now sole
male companion ride on before. The latter made no
answer, but dashed up alongside, and gazed into the
face of Amanda as he passed, with an air of curiosity
mingled with admiration and respect. There was in
him a likeness to the sinistrous countenanced ogre
behind her; yet he was a rather handsome young
fellow; and as the wind, caused by their rapid course,
blew backward his long, curly hair, he exhibited a
cast of honesty and openness in his aspect. The other
seemed to be impatient at his lingering, and growled:

[[82]]

p081 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p082w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p083

v?