He had not
proceeded far, however, under this dismal canopy, when an incident
occurred which tested his courage severely. As he went along he imagined
that he heard the sound of human footsteps near him. This, to be sure,
gave him at first no trouble on the score of anything supernatural. The
country, however, was, as we have already intimated, very much infested
with outlaws and robbers, and although Woodward was well armed, as he
had truly said, and was no coward besides, yet it was upon this view
of the matter that he experienced anything like apprehension. He
accordingly paused, in order to ascertain whether the footsteps he heard
might not have been the echo of his own. When his steps ceased, so
also did the others; and when he advanced again so did they. He coughed
aloud, but there was no echo; he shouted out "Is there any one there?"
but still there was a dead stillness. At length he said again, "Whoever
you may be, and especially if your designs be evil and unlawful, you had
better beware; I am well armed, and both able and determined to defend
myself; if money is your object, pass on, for I have none about me.
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