"Should another messenger of
England appear----"
He paused, for a note of the conch was heard rising gradually on the air,
until the whole of the wide valley was filled with its rich and
melancholy sound.
"Lip of man is not at the shell!" exclaimed the stranger, who like Dudley
had made a forward movement towards the postern, the instant the blast
reached his ear, and who like Dudley, recoiled in an amazement that even
his practised self-command could not conceal, as he undeniably perceived
the truth of that his speech affirmed. "This exceedeth all former
instances of marvellous visitations!"
"It is vain to pretend to raise the feeble nature of man to the level of
things coming from the invisible world," returned the woodsman at his
side. "In such a strait, it is seemly that sinful men should withdraw to
the dwellings, where we may sustain our feebleness by the spiritual
strivings of the Captain."
To this discreet proposal the stranger raised no objection. Without taking
the time necessary to effect their retreat with the precaution that had
been observed in their advance, the two adventurers quickly found
themselves at the secret entrance through which they had so lately issued.
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