Chapter 5
"Insuchanight
DidThisbefearfullyo’ertripthedew;
Andsawthelion’sshadowerehimself."
MerchantofVenice.
Thesuddennessoftheflightofhisguide,andthewildcriesofthepursuers,causedHeywardtoremainfixed,forafewmoments,ininactivesurprise.Thenrecollectingtheimportanceofsecuringthefugitive,hedashedasidethesurroundingbushes,andpressedeagerlyforwardtolendhisaidinthechase.Beforehehad,however,proceededahundredyards,hemetthethreeforestersalreadyreturningfromtheirunsuccessfulpursuit.
"Whysosoondisheartened!"heexclaimed;"thescoundrelmustbeconcealedbehindsomeofthesetrees,andmayyetbesecured.Wearenotsafewhilehegoesatlarge."
"Wouldyousetacloudtochasethewind?"returnedthedisappointedscout;"Iheardtheimp,brushingoverthedryleaves,likeablacksnake,andblinkingaglimpseofhim,justoverag’inyonbigpine,Ipulledasitmightbeonthescent;but‘twouldn’tdo!andyetforareasoningaim,ifanybodybutmyselfhadtouchedthetrigger,Ishouldcallitaquicksight;andImaybeaccountedtohaveexperienceinthesematters,andonewhooughttoknow.Lookatthissumach;itsleavesarered,thougheverybodyknowsthefruitisintheyellowblossom,inthemonthofJuly!"
"’TisthebloodofLeSubtil!heishurt,andmayyetfall!"
"No,no,"returnedthescout,indecideddisapprobationofthisopinion,"Irubbedthebarkoffalimb,perhaps,butthecreatureleapedthelongerforit.