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of the bandits the next day, as she knew they were to return to the cave that night. The bandits came back, as Margarita predicted, but set out at break of day, and when about an hour had elapsed, Herbert and she prepared to follow them. They both wore the Neapolitan costume, and carried wallets of provisions. Margarita

had also managed to procure a small sum of money, and they each armed themselves with stilettoes and pistols, in case of urgent necessity; for they knew too well that as soon as their escape was discovered, they would be pursued on all sides. With faltering steps and beating hearts, they left the cavern, gazing furtively around, as if already in danger. Margarita led the way, and their progress was very slow, for she was obliged to examine every rock and bush with extreme caution and minuteness, lest she should lose her marks, and thereby, the track.

When Herbert saw the mazy, intersected way they were gradually threading, its

difficulties and even dangers, he no longer wondered that the haunt of the bandits

was still unexplored. He was only astonished that Margarita could have had strength and courage to discover it. Now they were arrested by a thick underwood of brambles, through which it appeared impossible to pass, but which they crossed by slow degrees, and by following irregular stones that had evidently been laid there designedly, and upon which Margarita had made her marks. Again they found themselves lost amongst a number of jutting rocks, apparently thrown together without aim, but through which, by innumerable windings and turnings, they came to an opening amongst the mountains. Here, again, they would, inevitably, have been lost, but for Margarita's dark signals, which, assisted by her memory, she managed to find as she went. Path intersecting path at one place; at another a wild expanse of rock, without the appearance of a footstep. Once they heard at a distance

the horn of the bandits. Margarita seized Herbert's arm, and declared that all was over, for they must be returning. But some time afterwards it sounded again, and the sound was more distant, which gave them courage to proceed.

At last they had traversed this hideous and inaccessible labyrinth, and found themselves at the top of the fatal defile. It was with feelings of dread they entered it, fearing to be surprised by the enemy, but they descended it safely, and reached the spot at which Herbert was taken prisoner. They thanked God for having come thus far, and looked about them to discover how to proceed. New difficulties opened before them, for there was no direct path, and they knew not how to reach the beaten track. They committed themselves to the guidance of a Higher Power, and after wandering about for some time, found what appeared a rough mountain thoroughfare. They followed it for several miles, until evening broke upon them, and reminded

them that they had to seek shelter for the night. None seemed to be near, and there was no appearance of a human being. Nothing but Nature, in her stern grandeur. They looked about for a resting-place, as they wandered on, and at last perceived, up amongst the mountains, what seemed a habitation. They dragged their weary steps towards it, but found it uninhabited. It was a kind of barn or stable, scarcely tenantable.

Here, however, they rested, agreeing that one should watch whilst the other slept. Herbert insisted upon Margarita's taking the first sleep, and he stretched his loose cloak upon the ground for her, whilst he sat at the opening and watched. Overpowered by fatigue, she did not awake, and Herbert was thankful for it, as the excitement of his feelings would have prevented him from sleeping. His thoughts were busy with distant friends, and hopes of re-union.

Again that dreaded horn sounded in the

distance not so distant, he thought, as when they had last heard it. He crept towards Margarita, and awoke her gently. She arose, heavy with sleep, and asked where she was. Herbert murmured, "The Bandits," and she was aroused in an instant. He told her of the horn, and she said they must leave their place of shelter instantly, and seek concealment until the morning. They wandered forth in the uncertain light of a few faint stars, and scrambled about the mountain, until they came to a thicket, which, though near the shed, offered concealment. They entered it, and crouched down amongst the bushes. They had not been there long, when they distinctly heard voices. Margarita soon recognized two of the bandits. Breathlessly they listened, and a terrible fear came over them.

"Let us try the shed," said one of the voices, as the men paused, to consult near the thicket. "We can get a better nap there than here, though bad's the best."

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