On he came.

Now he went down into a valley, where they could not see him; but they heard the sharp, hasty tramp, rising nearer and nearer; at last they saw him emerge on the top of an eminence, within hail.
"Yes, that's Michael!" said Phineas; and, raising his voice, "Halloa, there, Michael!" "Phineas! is that thee ?" "Yes; what news--they coming ?" "Right on behind, eight or ten of them, hot with brandy, swearing and foaming like so many wolves." And, just as he spoke, a breeze brought the faint sound of galloping horsemen towards them.
"In with you,--quick, boys, _in!_" said Phineas.

"If you must fight, wait till I get you a piece ahead." And, with the word, both jumped in, and Phineas lashed the horses to a run, the horseman keeping close beside them.

The wagon rattled, jumped, almost flew, over the frozen ground; but plainer, and still plainer, came the noise of pursuing horsemen behind.

The women heard it, and, looking anxiously out, saw, far in the rear, on the brow of a distant hill, a party of men looming up against the red-streaked sky of early dawn.