It is not, therefore, matter
of surprise, that he should place his sentinels, and prepare even for
the most audacious attack.
He had scarcely made this disposition of his forces, which exhibited
them to the best advantage, when the strangers made their appearance.
They rode cautiously around, without approaching the defences
sufficiently nigh to occasion strife, but evidently having for their
object originally an attack upon the wayfarer. At length, one of the
party, which consisted of six persons, now came forward, and, with a
friendly tone of voice, bade them good-evening in a manner which seemed
to indicate a desire to be upon a footing of the most amiable sort with
them. The old man answered dryly, with some show of sarcastic
indifference in his speech--
"Ay, good evening enough, if the moon had not gone down, and if the
stars were out, that we might pick out the honest men from the rogues."
"What, are there rogues in these parts, then, old gentleman?" asked the
new-comer.
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