Sing out! All together!" The three voices rose in a prolonged shout, in which, however, the distinguishing quality of the pleasant voice was sustained.

But there was no response from the darkness beyond.

The shouting was repeated after an interval with the same result: the silence and obscurity remained unchanged.
"Let's get out of this," said the first speaker angrily; "house or no house, man or woman, we're not wanted, and we'll make nothing waltzing round here!" "Hush!" said the second voice.

"Sh-h! Listen." The leaves of the nearest trees were trilling audibly.

Then came a sudden gust that swept the fronds of the taller ferns into their faces, and laid the thin, lithe whips of alder over their horses' flanks sharply.