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CHAPTER VI--NIGHT IN THE WOODS (concluded): DICK AND JOAN
The horses had by this time finished the small store of provender, and
fully breathed from their fatigues. At Dick's command, the fire was
smothered in snow; and while his men got once more wearily to saddle, he
himself, remembering, somewhat late, true woodland caution, chose a tall
oak and nimbly clambered to the topmost fork. Hence he could look far
abroad on the moonlit and snow-paven forest. On the south-west, dark
against the horizon, stood those upland, heathy quarters where he and
Joanna had met with the terrifying misadventure of the leper. And there
his eye was caught by a spot of ruddy brightness no bigger than a
needle's eye.
He blamed himself sharply for his previous neglect. Were that, as it
appeared to be, the shining of Sir Daniel's camp-fire, he should long ago
have seen and marched for it; above all, he should, for no consideration,
have announced his neighbourhood by lighting a fire of his own. But now
he must no longer squander valuable hours. The direct way to the uplands
was about two miles in length; but it was crossed by a very deep,
precipitous dingle, impassable to mounted men; and for the sake of speed,
it seemed to Dick advisable to desert the horses and attempt the
adventure on foot.
Ten men were left to guard the horses; signals were agreed upon by which
they could communicate in case of need; and Dick set forth at the head of
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