It was with a beating heart that he scanned the mysterious characters; but the old woman had risen to her feet, and motioned them away.
"Begone!" she cried, "begone! I have no more to say.

Heed my warning.

Beware of menaced perils.

The perils of the forest are less than the perils of the city; and an open foe is better than a false friend--a friend who lures those that trust him to a common destruction, even though he himself be ready to share it.

Harden thine heart--beware of thine own merciful spirit.