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Marryat, Frederick, 1792-1848

"The Children of the New Forest"

As he was proceeding on his travels, he observed,
under some trees ahead of him, a spark of fire emitted; he thought it
was a glow-worm at first, but it was more like the striking of a flint
against steel; and as he saw it a second time, he stopped that he
might ascertain what it might be, before he advanced farther.


CHAPTER XV.

It was now very dark, as there was no moon, and the stars were often
obscured by the clouds, which were heavy and borne along by the wind,
which was very high. The light again appeared, and this time Edward
heard the clash of the flint against the steel, and he was quite
certain that it was somebody striking a light. He advanced very
cautiously, and arrived at a large tree, behind which he remained to
reconnoiter. The people, whoever they might be, were not more than
thirty yards from him; a light spread its rays for a moment or two,
and he could make out a figure kneeling and holding his hat to protect
it from the wind; then it burned brighter, and he saw that a lantern
had been lighted, and then again, of a sudden, all was dark: so Edward
immediately satisfied himself that a dark lantern had been lighted and
then closed. Who the parties might be, he of course had no idea; but
he was resolved that he would ascertain, if he could, before he
accosted them and asked his way.


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