'He has undeniable intentions that way.' They said little else as they followed.

He went on before them as an ugly Fate might have done, and they kept him in view, and would have been glad enough to lose sight of him.

But on he went before them, always at the same distance, and the same rate.

Aslant against the hard implacable weather and the rough wind, he was no more to be driven back than hurried forward, but held on like an advancing Destiny.

There came, when they were about midway on their journey, a heavy rush of hail, which in a few minutes pelted the streets clear, and whitened them.