A torrent, whose bed was dry, led into a deep gorge.

Vampa took this wild road, which, enclosed between two ridges, and shadowed by the tufted umbrage of the pines, seemed, but for the difficulties of its descent, that path to Avernus of which Virgil speaks.

Teresa had become alarmed at the wild and deserted look of the plain around her, and pressed closely against her guide, not uttering a syllable; but as she saw him advance with even step and composed countenance, she endeavored to repress her emotion.

Suddenly, about ten paces from them, a man advanced from behind a tree and aimed at Vampa.--'Not another step,' he said, 'or you are a dead man.'-- 'What, then,' said Vampa, raising his hand with a gesture of disdain, while Teresa, no longer able to restrain her alarm, clung closely to him, 'do wolves rend each other ?'--'Who are you ?' inquired the sentinel.--'I am Luigi Vampa, shepherd of the San-Felice farm.'-- 'What do you want ?'--'I would speak with your companions who are in the glade at Rocca Bianca.'-- 'Follow me, then,' said the sentinel; 'or, as you know your way, go first.'-- Vampa smiled disdainfully at this precaution on the part of the bandit, went before Teresa, and continued to advance with the same firm and easy step as before.

At the end of ten minutes the bandit made them a sign to stop.
The two young persons obeyed.