The pines bent soughing towards the adventurers.

The night grew denser and blacker about them, as with the wan waters of the marismas on one side and the sombre arches of the forest on the other, they advanced sword in hand, praying that that which should happen might happen quickly.
But as they went the woods about them grew clamorous with horrid noises.

All the evil beasts of the world seemed abroad that night in the forests of Machecoul.

Presently they issued forth into a more open space.

The greyish dark of the turf beneath their feet spread further off.