She had, on his entrance, caught the pouch of corn from Roland's hands, intending to present it to the guide, with some such light expressions as should convince her kinsman of her recovered spirits; but the visage and words of Nathan struck her dumb, and she stood holding it in her hand, without speaking a word, until it caught Nathan's eye.

He snatched it from her grasp, surveying it with astonishment and even alarm, and only ceased to look at it, when little Peter, who had run into the corner and among the bed of leaves, uttered a whine louder than before.

The pouch dropped from Nathan's hand as his eye fell upon the shining-kettles, on which he gazed as if petrified.
"What, in Heaven's name, is the matter!" demanded Roland, himself taking the alarm: "are you frighted at your own kettles ?" "Mine!" cried Nathan, clasping his hands, and looking terror and remorse together--"If thee will kill me, friend, thee will scarce do amiss; for, miserable, blind sinner that I am, I have led thee poor luckless women into the very lion's den! into the hiding-place and head-quarters of the very cut-throats that is seeking to destroy thee! Up and away--does thee not hear Peter howling at the door?
Hist! Peter, hist!--Truly, this is a pretty piece of business for thee, Nathan Slaughter!--Does thee not hear them close at hand ?" "I hear the hooting of an owl and the answer of his fellow," replied Roland; but his words were cut short by a second howl from Peter, and the cry of his master, "Up, if thee be not besotted; drag thee women by the hands and follow me." With these words, Nathan was leaping towards the door, when a cry from Roland arrested him.

He looked round and perceived Edith had fainted in the soldier's arms.

"I will save the poor thing for thee--help thou the other," he cried, and snatching her up as if she had been but a feather, he was again in the act of springing to the door, when brought to a stand by a far more exciting impediment.