Black Nick, the hermit of the hills; or, The expiated crimeA story of Burgoyne's surrender
recognized, ejaculating:

“By heavens, it is the Haunted Hill!”

It was indeed, but the other side from that which he had seen the day before.

“The mystery is solved,” mused the hussar. “No wonder the Indians fled. It must have been the Mountain Demon that saved me last night. But, surely, it can not be possible that demon’s really in it. There was none here yesterday, and the savages must have grown bold from its absence. Who can it be, then?”

As he thus mused, the clear silvery notes of a horn echoed from the rocks overhead on the mountain-side, and soon after came the flying feet of some creature rapidly approaching.

[Pg 36]

[Pg 36]

Instinctively, Adrian Schuyler drew one of his pistols and cocked it, ready to defend himself against any attack.

The next moment one of the large bloodhounds he had seen the day before, dashed over the rock at some distance, without noticing him, and then came the graceful figure of the girl Diana, who bounded past him within ten feet, and suddenly stopped, dumb with amazement, staring at the handsome stranger.

Adrian was the first to break the silence.

“Fairest Diana,” he said, in his most winning tones, “well met once more on the mountain.”

“How came you here, rash man?” asked the girl, hastily, and turning pale as she spoke. “Do you not know that this is fatal ground? Are you tired of your life? If he finds you here, he will kill you.”

Schuyler smiled.

“As to why I came here, it is easily answered. I was brought here a prisoner, by a party of Indians and Tories, who camped with me in the woods at the foot of the hill. Last night a strange apparition entered our camp, killed or frightened away all the Indians, and released me. I am trying now to find my way back to Derryfield.”

Diana listened to his words with apparent wonder.

“A strange apparition! What! is he here again?”

“I know not to whom you refer, lady, but a creature in the likeness of a man, but with cloven feet and horns, created such a 
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