I'd lay a round wager, now, thee knows where all the sheep of the hillside fold of nights.' 'Ay, do I,' answered Stephen, walking briskly beside Black Thompson; 'I know every walk and every fold on the hills; ay, and many of the sheep themselves.

I keep my eyes wide open out of doors, I promise ye.' 'I'll swear to that,' said Black Thompson, glad to encourage the boy in his foolish boasting.

On their way they passed near to Fern's Hollow, and Stephen heard little Nan's shrill voice calling his name, as if she were seeking him weariedly; but when he hesitated for a moment, his heart yearning to answer her, Black Thompson again patted him on the back, and bade him never show the white feather, but remember poor dead Snip; at which his passion for revenge returned, and he pressed on eagerly to the fir-coppice.
It was quite dark when they entered the path leading through the wood.

No one spoke now, and they trod cautiously, lest there should be any noise from their footsteps.

The tall black fir-trees towered above them to an unusual height; and through all the topmost branches there ran a low, mournful sound, as if every tree was whispering about them, and lamenting over them.