Was it only a deceiving shade cast by a leafy branch--only a shadow?
Slowly it sank, and was lost.

Once more the gray, unwavering line of silver-crested grass tufts was unbroken.
Only the night breeze, wandering caressingly over the grass, might have told of two dark forms gliding, gliding, gliding so softly, so surely, so surely toward the forest.

Only the moon and the pale stars had eyes to see these creeping figures.
Like avengers they moved, on a mission to slay and to save! On over the dark line where plain merged into forest they crawled.
No whispering, no hesitating; but a silent, slow, certain progress showed their purpose.

In single file they slipped over the moss, the leader clearing the path.

Inch by inch they advanced.