The moonbeams, which had by that time risen above some intervening shrubs, shone full on him and showed that his usually quiet gentle countenance was deadly pale and transformed by a frown of almost tiger-like ferocity.

So strange and unaccountable did this seem to our hero that he lay quite still, as if spell-bound.

Nor did his companions move until the strangers, having finished their talk, turned to retrace their steps and finally disappeared.
Then Van der Kemp rose with a sigh of relief.

The negro and Nigel also sprang up.
"What's wrong, massa ?" asked Moses, in much anxiety.
"Nothing, nothing," said the hermit hurriedly.

"I must cross over to see these fellows." "All right, massa.