He paused, and they proceeded silently on their way, Dalton pondering on
the best method of procuring De Guerre's liberty, and then thinking of
his sweet and gentle child.
Nature may lie buried or be stifled for a time--an apathetic temperament
will seek to smother, a harsh one to bind, a strong one to subdue
it--but it overcomes them all; and though a man's speech may run
according to his learning, and his deeds according to his habits, yet
nature thinks and speaks within him, often in direct opposition to the
words that fall from his lips, and the actions in which he may be
engaged. Thus it was with the Buccaneer; despite the fearful course his
outlawed life had taken, the remembrance of his child would arise to his
imagination, shaded by sorrow, or sunned by happiness, according to his
mood of mind--but always as his child--the being upon whom his very
existence seemed to hang.
"There is little light from his window," said Robin, as they came within
view of the house; "let us over the fencing.--Hush!" he continued,
elevating his hand so as to command the attention of his companion, at
the same time bending his ear to the earth. Dalton listened, but, it
would seem, heard no sound, for he exclaimed hastily,-"Hush me no hush!--you are ever fancying something or other out of the
way."
Robin repeated the signal.
"What mummery!" said the Buccaneer; "I hear nothing, and see nothing."
Robin laid himself on the ground, while the impatient and irritated
seaman fumed and moved about, a curse whizzing from between his teeth as
ever and anon he looked at Robin, and from Robin to the house.
"If you must have employment," said the Ranger at last, in a low tone,
"see to your arms. Are your pistols loaded muzzle high?--are your
weapons sharp?--Hush!"
The Buccaneer knew that these hints were not given in wantonness, and
calmly examined his fire-arms.
"The tramp of horses!" continued Robin, "and of heavy ones too; but they
are going from, not coming towards us. Ah! heard ye not that?"
He raised himself from the ground, and the neigh of a horse was borne to
them on the blast. They both stood in breathless silence, the Buccaneer
with his hand suspended over, but not touching, his sword-handle--Robin
with open mouth and extended hands, as if the very movement of his limbs
could destroy the quietness around, or impede the sound they watched
for. Again the neigh was repeated, but more faintly, and evidently from
a greater distance.