It seemed to him that the waters rippled angrily against the bank.

His excited imagination--and full cause there was--gave a sinister meaning to everything.
A heavy fog began to rise from the river and wet earth.

He could not see far in front of him, but he believed that the town was now only a mile or two away.

Soon a low, heavy sound, a measured stroke, came out of the fog.

It was the tolling of the church bell in San Antonio, and for some reason its impact upon Ned's ear was like the stroke of death.