HOPE AND FEAR. 265 



scale, to become, as it seemed, creation's destroyers? The 

 pair, of what kind soever they might prove, continued on the 

 summit of the hill, while we, in breathless anxiety, stood 

 scanning intently, though from the deepening gloom not with 

 any satisfying degree of clearness, their shape and movements. 

 Presently, we perceived one of them assume a kneeling pos- 

 ture. " Thank heaven !" we exclaimed, " then they are indeed 

 human I Brethren are still left us in this world of monstrous 

 desolation ; and they are praying, like ourself, for deliverance 

 from its horrors." The idea of companionship invested us 

 with renewed strength, and we again pressed forward over 

 every obstacle. Having descended from the brow of the hill, 

 the figures we were hastening to meet, and who were now 

 apparently on their way to meet us, had become nearly indis- 

 cernible, and were presently quite hidden by the trunks of 

 some bulky intervening trees. By the time we had passed 

 this temporary screen, the twilight had deepened into nearly 

 total darkness; but we were now so close upon the com- 

 panions whom our desolate heart bounded to meet, that we 

 could hear their advancing tread, as they crushed the scattered 

 debris lying on the ground. There was something, in the sound 

 of these approaching footfalls, which inspired us with mingled 

 doubt and dread. We called to mind, however, the figure we 

 had seen on the hill in an attitude of prayer, and thus endea- 

 vouring to subdue our misgivings, called aloud on the 

 advancing individuals. No voice responded ; but the steps 



