CHAPTER XVIII.
PARTING AND FLIGHT.
With Ralph, the unhappy woodman, thus even denied to hope, returned, more miserable than before, to the village of Chestatee.

The crowd there had been largely diminished.

The more obnoxious among the offenders--those who, having taken the most prominent part in the late affair, apprehended the severest treatment--had taken themselves as much out of sight as possible.

Even Munro and Rivers, with all their hardihood, were no longer to be seen, and those still lingering in the village were such as under no circumstances might well provoke suspicion of "subtle deed and counter enterprise." They were the fat men, the beef of society--loving long speeches and goodly cheer.

The two friends, for so we may call them, were left almost in the exclusive possession of the hotel, and without observation discussed their several plans of departure.