In the meantime, the pursuit of Ralph Colleton, as the murderer of
Forrester, had been hotly urged by the officers. The pursuers knew the
route, and having the control of new horses as they proceeded, at
frequent intervals, gained of course at every step upon the unconscious
travellers. We have seen the latter retiring to repose at a late hour of
the night. Under the several fatigues which all parties had undergone,
it is not strange that the sun should have arisen some little time
before those who had not retired quite so early as himself. At a
moderately late hour they breakfasted together--the family of the
wagoner, and Ralph, and our old friend the pedler. Pursuing the same
route, the two latter, after the repast, separated, with many
acknowledgments on both sides, from the emigrating party, and pursued
their way together.
On their road, Bunce gave the youth a long and particular account of all
those circumstances at the village-inn by which he had been deprived of
his chattels, and congratulated himself not a little on the adroit
thought which had determined him to retain the good steed of the Lawyer
Pippin in lieu of his losses.
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