Edgar Huntly | Page 7

Contrary to my expectation, he went in a direction opposite to that
which led to Inglefield's. Presently, he stopped at bars, which he
cautiously removed, and, when he had passed through them, as
deliberately replaced. He then proceeded along an obscure path, which
led across stubble-fields, to a wood. The path continued through the
wood, but he quickly struck out of it, and made his way, seemingly at
random, through a most perplexing undergrowth of bushes and briers.
I was, at first, fearful that the noise which I made behind him, in

trampling down the thicket, would alarm him; but he regarded it not.
The way that he had selected was always difficult: sometimes
considerable force was requisite to beat down obstacles; sometimes it
led into a deep glen, the sides of which were so steep as scarcely to
afford a footing; sometimes into fens, from which some exertions were
necessary to extricate the feet, and sometimes through rivulets, of
which the water rose to the middle.
For some time I felt no abatement of my speed or my resolution. I
thought I might proceed, without fear, through brakes and dells which
my guide was able to penetrate. He was perpetually changing his
direction. I could form no just opinion as to my situation or distance
from the place at which we had set out.
I began at length to be weary. A suspicion, likewise, suggested itself to
my mind, whether my guide did not perceive that he was followed, and
thus prolonged his journey in order to fatigue or elude his pursuer. I
was determined, however, to baffle his design. Though the air was
frosty, my limbs were bedewed with sweat and my joints were relaxed
with toil, but I was obstinately bent upon proceeding.
At length a new idea occurred to me. On finding me indefatigable in
pursuit, this person might resort to more atrocious methods of
concealment. But what had I to fear? It was sufficient to be upon my
guard. Man to man, I needed not to dread his encounter.
We at last arrived at the verge of a considerable precipice. He kept
along the edge. From this height, a dreary vale was discoverable,
embarrassed with the leafless stocks of bushes, and encumbered with
rugged and pointed rocks. This scene reminded me of my situation. The
desert tract called Norwalk, which I have often mentioned to you, my
curiosity had formerly induced me to traverse in various directions. It
was in the highest degree rugged, picturesque, and wild. This vale,
though I had never before viewed it by the glimpses of the moon,
suggested the belief that I had visited it before. Such a one I knew
belonged to this uncultivated region. If this opinion were true, we were
at no inconsiderable distance from Inglefield's habitation. "Where,"
said I, "is this singular career to terminate?"

Though occupied with these reflections, I did not slacken my pursuit.
The stranger kept along the verge of the cliff, which gradually declined
till it terminated in the valley. He then plunged into its deepest thickets.
In a quarter of an hour he stopped under a projecture of the rock which
formed the opposite side of the vale. He then proceeded to remove the
stalks, which, as I immediately perceived, concealed the mouth of a
cavern. He plunged into the darkness, and in a few moments his steps
were heard no more.
Hitherto my courage had supported me, but here it failed. Was this
person an assassin, who was acquainted with the windings of the grotto,
and who would take advantage of the dark to execute his vengeance
upon me, who had dared to pursue him to these forlorn retreats? or was
he maniac, or walker in his sleep? Whichever supposition were true, it
would be rash in me to follow him. Besides, he could not long remain
in these darksome recesses, unless some fatal accident should overtake
him.
I seated myself at the mouth of the cave, determined patiently to wait
till he should think proper to emerge. This opportunity of rest was
exceedingly acceptable after so toilsome a pilgrimage. My pulse began
to beat more slowly, and the moisture that incommoded me ceased to
flow. The coolness, which for a little time was delicious, presently
increased to shivering, and I found it necessary to change my posture,
in order to preserve my blood from congealing.
After I had formed a path before the cavern's mouth, by the removal of
obstructions, I employed myself in walking to and fro. In this situation
I saw the moon gradually decline to the horizon, and, at length,
disappear. I marked the deepenings of the shade, and the mutations
which every object successively underwent. The vale was narrow, and
hemmed in on all sides by lofty