Duncan, who was now made to understand the nature of the noises he had heard, answered, with more attention to the subject which the humour of the scout had chosen for discussion, by saying—
"It is difficult to account for the feelings that may attend the last great change."
"It would be a change, indeed, for a man who has passed his days in the open air," returned the single-minded scout; "and who has so often broken his fast on the head waters of the Hudson, to sleep within sound of the roaring Mohawk! But it is a comfort to know we serve a merciful Master, though we do it each after his fashion, and with great tracts of wilderness atween us—What goes there?"
"Is it not the rushing of the wolves as you have mentioned?"
Hawk-eye slowly shook his head, and beckoned for Duncan to follow him to a spot, whither the glare from the fire did not extend. When he had taken this precaution, the scout placed himself in an attitude of intense attention, and listened,
