When he reached it, he saw only two little children, at play, on the turf before the door.

He looked into the hut, but no person was there, and the eldest of the boys told him that their father was with his flocks, and their mother was gone down into the vale, but would be back presently.

As he stood, considering what was further to be done, on a sudden he heard Michael's voice roaring forth most manfully among the cliffs above, till he made their echoes ring.

Valancourt immediately answered the call, and endeavoured to make his way through the thicket that clothed the steeps, following the direction of the sound.

After much struggle over brambles and precipices, he reached Michael, and at length prevailed with him to be silent, and to listen to him.