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"And ez I reckon Hennicker ain't such a fool ez not to know who we
are and what we're out for," continued Clinch, "I reckon there
ain't any concealment."
"Then it's Hennicker's?" said the ostler, with swift deduction.
"Hennicker's it is! Lead on."
The ostler remounted his horse, and the others followed. The trail
presently turned into a broader track, that bore some signs of
approaching habitations, and at the end of five minutes they came
upon a clearing. It was part of one of the fragmentary mountain
terraces, and formed by itself a vast niche, or bracketed shelf, in
the hollow flank of the mountain that, to Hale's first glance, bore
a rude resemblance to Eagle's Court. But there was neither meadow
nor open field; the few acres of ground had been wrested from the
forest by axe and fire, and unsightly stumps everywhere marked the
rude and difficult attempts at cultivation. Two or three rough
buildings of unplaned and unpainted boards, connected by rambling
sheds, stood in the centre of the amphitheatre. Far from being
protected by the encircling rampart, it seemed to be the selected
arena for the combating elements. A whirlwind from the outer abyss
continually filled this cave of AEolus with driving snow, which,
however, melted as it fell, or was quickly whirled away again.
A few dogs barked and ran out to meet the cavalcade, but there was
no other sign of any life disturbed or concerned at their approach.
"I reckon Hennicker ain't home, or he'd hev been on the lookout
afore this," said the ostler, dismounting and rapping on the door.
After a silence, a female voice, unintelligibly to the others,
apparently had some colloquy with the ostler, who returned to the
party.
"Must go in through the kitchin--can't open the door for the wind."
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