"
A moment of suspense succeeded this summons. The whole valley was then as
suddenly lighted, as if a torrent of the electric fluid had flashed
across its gloomy bed; a sheet of flame glanced from the attic of the
block, and then came the roar of the little piece of artillery, which had
so long dwelt there in silence. The rattling of a shot among the sheds,
and the rending of timber, followed. Fifty dark forms were seen, by the
momentary light, gliding from among the out-buildings, in an alarm
natural to their ignorance, and with an agility proportioned to their
alarm. The moment was propitious. Content silently motioned to Reuben
Ring; they passed the postern together, and disappeared in the direction
of the barns. The period of their absence was one of intense care to
Ruth, and it was not without its anxiety even to those whose nerves were
better steeled. A few moments, however, served to appease these feelings;
for the adventurers returned in safety, and as silently as they had
quitted the defences. The trampling of feet on the crust of the snow, the
neighing of horses, and the bellowing of frightened cattle, as the
terrified beasts scattered about the fields, soon proclaimed the object
of the risk which had just been run.
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