Sometimes he would stop and listen, thinking he heard a horse canter close past him; but no, it was the noise of a hidden river as its waters leapt over the stones.

Sometimes he thought he heard the neigh of a horse in the distance; but no, it was only the whinny of the wind.

His dog had followed close behind him when he fled from the pass, and it was still at his heels.

Sometimes Laddie would dart away and be lost for a few minutes in the darkness.

Then the dog's muffled bark would be heard, and Ralph's blood would seem to stand still with a dread apprehension that dared not to take the name of hope.