Fiction > Book editions > London, 1889 - Master of Ballantrae

THE JOUItNEY IN THE WILDERNESS. 299
following-, at his own re;iuest, several hundi-ed yards in
the rear ; he knew the Master was unarmed ; his heart
was besides heated with the exercise and lust of hunting;
and seeing the quarry so close, so defenceless, and seem-
ing so fatigued, he vain-gloriously determined to effect
the cajiture with his single hand. A step or two farther
brought him to one margin of a little clearing; on the
other, with his arms folded and his back to a huge stone,
the Master sat. It is possible INIountain may have made
a rustle, it is certain, at least, the INIaster raised his
head and gazed directly at that quarter of the thicket
where his hunter lay ; " I could not be sure he saw
me," Mountain said ; " he just looked my way like a
man with his mind made up, and all the courage ran
out of me like rum out of a bottle." And presently,
when the j\Iaster looked away again, and appeared to
resume those meditations in which he had sat im-
mersed before the trader's coming. Mountain slunk
stealthily back and returned to seek the help of his
companions.
And now began the chapter of surprises, for the scout
had scarce informed the others of his discovery, and
they were yet preparing their weapons for a rush upon
the fugitive, when the man himself appeared in their
midst, walking openly and quietly, with his hands be-
hind his back.
" Ah, men ! " says he, on his beholding them. " Here
is a fortunate encounter. Let us get back to camp."