He was not much longer left in doubt as to the cause of the animal's excitement.

A few bounds brought him unexpectedly into a pathway, still girdled, however, by a close thicket--and having an ascent over a hill, the top of which was of considerable elevation compared with the plain he had been pursuing.

As the horse entered this pathway, and began the ascent, he shyed suddenly, and so abruptly, that a less practised rider would have lost his seat.
"Quiet, beast! what do you see ?" The traveller himself looked forward at his own query, and soon discovered the occasion of his steed's alarm.

No occasion for alarm, either, judging by appearances; no panther, no wolf, certainly--a man only--looking innocent enough, were it not for the suspicious fact that he seemed to have put himself in waiting, and stood directly in the midst of the path that the horseman was pursuing.
Our traveller, as we have seen, was not wholly unprepared, as well to expect as to encounter hostilities.

In addition to his pistols, which were well charged, and conveniently at hand, we may now add that he carried another weapon, for close quarters, concealed in his bosom.