"
"Maybe, but he hath the voice of an angel," said the old man.
They passed a sleepless night and were up early, packing to leave
the woods. Darrel was to go in quest of the boy's father. Within
a week he felt sure he should be able to find him.
They skirted the pond, crossing a long ridge on its farther shore.
At a spring of cool water in a deep ravine they halted to drink and
rest. Suddenly they heard a sound of men approaching; and when the
latter had come near, a voice, deep, vibrant, and musical as a
harp-string, in these lines of Hamlet:--
"'Why right; you are i' the right;
And so without more circumstance at all,
I hold it fit that we shake hands and part;
You as your business and desire shall point you;
For every man has business and desire
Such as it is; and for mine own part
Look you, I'll go pray.'"
Then said Darrel, loudly:--
"'These are but wild and whirling words, my lord.'"
Two men, a guide in advance, came along the trail--one, a most
impressive figure, tall, erect, and strong; its every move
expressing grace and power.
Again the deep music of his voice, saying:--
"'I'm sorry they offend you heartily; yes, faith, heartily.
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