“Diana is beautiful,” said the hussar, meaningly; “how beautiful no one knows but me.” Diana looked up at him inquiringly. Then something seemed to inform her of his meaning, for she flushed hotly and drew herself up with sudden haughtiness, asking: “What brought you here? Do you not know that it is death to intrude on this mountain? Even the wild Indian shuns it.” “I have heard that a demon haunts it,” said the hussar, boldly; “but I never dreamed that it wore such a shape as yours.” [Pg 19] [Pg 19] At the bold words of the intruder Diana turned pale, and looked apprehensively around her, saying in low tones: “Do not mention him, foolish Adrian. He will seize you and plunge you into a fiery pit if he hears you. Away, while you have time, or you may repent it. Any moment he may be here.” “In that case I should like to see him,” said Schuyler, coolly. “I don’t believe in demons, Diana. Your demon is a man, and I am curious to see him. I rode over here expressly to do that.” “You rode over here to dare the mountain demon?” asked the girl, in a faint tone, as if wonder-stricken. “Man, are you mad? I tell you he has killed every creature that has passed this way for years, and he will kill you, if he finds you.” The captain of hussars laughed carelessly, and threw up the flap of one of his holsters, from whence he produced a long pistol of elegant finish, and double-barreled. “That, for his demoniac majesty,” he said, holding up the weapon, “and let him beware how he crosses my path. I have—” He was interrupted by a suspicious growl from one of the hounds, who had been couched on the grass in seeming contentment since the conference had become peaceful. The animal rose to its feet and stalked to the edge of the glade, followed by its three companions, snuffing and growling. A moment later an arrow came from the cover of the mountain-side, grazed the neck of the foremost hound, and whizzed past the hussar, sticking harmlessly in a tree. The three hounds set up a simultaneous savage bay and dashed headlong into the cover, from whence, a moment later, rose the appalling war-whoop of the
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