I had not gone far before I began to question the wisdom of what I was doing.

Was I right in thus openly defying the man who possessed such a terrible power?
It certainly seemed foolish, and yet I could not bear the idea of his being the companion of Gertrude Forrest.

Besides, it might stagger him somewhat to find that his words had not frightened me.
With this thought I gave my horse the rein.

He was a beautiful high-blooded creature, and seemed to delight in making the snow crystals fly around him, as he scampered over the frozen ground.
I did not know the district at all, but I had been told in what direction Drearwater Pond lay, so I did not doubt that I should easily find them.

When I came to the spot, however, those I hoped to find were nowhere to be seen, and so, guiding the horse up to the dark waters, I stood and looked at the little lake that bore such a sombre name.