Nevertheless, they persevered, questing about all over the moor, except in the neighborhood of the sulphur mounds and the springs.
While this was going on the horsemen had tethered their steeds and were following on foot, riding over the _azuferales_ being manifestly out of the question.

Once Griscelli and Sheba, who appeared to be queen of the pack, came so near the pool that if we had not promptly lowered our heads to the level of the water they would certainly have seen us.
"I am afraid they have given us the slip," I heard Griscelli say.

"There is not a particle of scent.

But if they have not fallen into one of those springs and got boiled, I'll have them yet--even though I stop all night, or come again to-morrow." "_Mira! Mira!_ General, the forest is on fire!" shouted somebody.

"And the horses--see, they are trying to get loose!" Then followed curses and cries of dismay, the huntsman sounded his horn to call off the hounds and Carmen and I, raising our heads, saw a sight that made us almost shout for joy.
The fire, which all this time must have been smouldering unseen, had burst into a great blaze, trees and bushes were wrapped in sulphurous flames, which, fanned by the breeze, were spreading rapidly.