100 WARWICK WOODLANDS. 



explained the nature of that tranquil pool, while, beyond 

 that, the hills swept down from the rear of the building, 

 which contained the parlor whence the two sportsmen 

 gazed, and seemed entirely to bar the valley, so suddenly, 

 and in so short a curve, did it wind round their western 

 shoulder. To the left hand, the view was closed by a thick 

 belt of second growth, through which the sandy road and 

 glittering stream wandered away together on their mazy 

 path, and over which the summits of yet loftier and more 

 rugged steeps towered heavenward. 



Over this valley they had for some time gazed in silence, 

 till now the broad sun sank behind the mountains, and the 

 shrill whistle of the quail, which had been momently 

 audible during the whole afternoon, ceased suddenly ; four 

 or five night-hawks might be seen wheeling high in pur- 

 suit of their insect prey through the thin atmosphere, 

 and the sharp chirrup of a solitary katydid, the last of its 

 summer tribe, was the only sound that interrupted the 

 faint rush of the rapid stream, which came more clearly on 

 the ear now that the louder noises of busy babbling day- 

 light had yielded to the stillness of approaching night. 

 Before long a bright gleam shot through the tufted out- 

 line of a dark wooded hill, and shortly after, just when a 

 gray and misty shadow had settled down upon the half- 

 seen landscape, the broad full moon came soaring up above 

 the tree-tops, pouring her soft and silver radiance over the 

 lovely valley, and investing its rare beauties with some- 

 thing of romance — a sentiment which belongs not to the 

 gay, gaudy sunshine. 



Just at this moment, while neither of the friends felt 

 much inclined to talk, the door opened suddenly, and 

 Timothy's black head was thrust in, with a querj' if "they 

 didn't need t' waax candles?" 



"Not yet, Tim," answered Archer, "not yet for an hour 

 or so — but hold a minute — how have the horses fed ?" 



"T' ould gray drayed off directly, and he's gane tull t' 

 loike bricks — but t' bay's no but sillyish — he keeps a break- 

 ing oot again for iver — and sae Ay'se give him a hot 

 maash enow !" 



"That's right. I saw he wasn't quite up to the mark the 

 last ten miles or so. If he don't dry off now, give him a 

 cordial ball out of the tool-chest — one of the number 3 — 

 camphire and cardamums and ginger; a clove of garlic. 



