The Flying Horseman

We left the Marchioness de Castelmelhor and her daughter Eva prisoners of the Pincheyra. Thanks to the presence of the strangers in the camp, no one came to trouble the solitude of the captives. Towards the evening they were warned by a somewhat brief message to make all their preparations, so as to be ready to commence a journey at the first signal. The baggage of the two ladies had been, strange to say, scrupulously respected by the partisans; it was therefore somewhat considerable, and required four mules to carry it. They were promised that beasts of burden should be placed at their disposal. The night was dark; the moon, hidden by thick clouds, fringed with greyish tints, gave no light; the sky was black; dull sounds were carried on the wind, and, repeated by the echoes, awakened the wild beasts in the depth of their secret lairs.