These prevailed all through the crowded roads and fields, and especially beyond the gate of the Chase, where the greater number of the common sort were stationed; when, all of a sudden, a single rocket was seen to shoot into the atmosphere, and, at the instant, far heard over flood and field, the great bell of the Castle tolled.
Immediately there was a pause of dead silence, succeeded by a deep hum of expectation, the united voice of many thousands, none of whom spoke above their breath--or, to use a singular expression, the whisper of an immense multitude.
"They come now, for certain," said Raleigh.

"Tressilian, that sound is grand.

We hear it from this distance as mariners, after a long voyage, hear, upon their night-watch, the tide rush upon some distant and unknown shore." "Mass!" answered Blount, "I hear it rather as I used to hear mine own kine lowing from the close of Wittenswestlowe." "He will assuredly graze presently," said Raleigh to Tressilian; "his thought is all of fat oxen and fertile meadows.

He grows little better than one of his own beeves, and only becomes grand when he is provoked to pushing and goring." "We shall have him at that presently," said Tressilian, "if you spare not your wit." "Tush, I care not," answered Raleigh; "but thou too, Tressilian, hast turned a kind of owl, that flies only by night--hast exchanged thy songs for screechings, and good company for an ivy-tod." "But what manner of animal art thou thyself, Raleigh," said Tressilian, "that thou holdest us all so lightly ?" "Who--I ?" replied Raleigh.

"An eagle am I, that never will think of dull earth while there is a heaven to soar in, and a sun to gaze upon." "Well bragged, by Saint Barnaby!" said Blount; "but, good Master Eagle, beware the cage, and beware the fowler.