His denunciation, therefore,
notwithstanding its dire import, was disregarded; and the dogs were
left to obey the impulses of their mysterious instinct, without let or
hinderance.
It was long before any of the spectators broke the silence; but the
squatter, at length, so far recollected his authority, as to take on
himself the right to control the movements of his children.
"Come away, boys; come away, and leave the hounds to sing their tunes
for their own amusement," Ishmael said, in his coldest manner. "I
scorn to take the life of a beast, because its master has pitched
himself too nigh my clearing; come away, boys, come away; we have
enough of our own work before us, without turning aside to do that of
the whole neighbourhood."
"Come not away!" cried Esther, in tones that sounded like the
admonitions of some sibyl. "I say, come not away, my children. There
is a meaning and a warning in this; and as I am a woman and a mother,
will I know the truth of it all!"
So saying, the awakened wife brandished her weapon, with an air that
was not without its wild and secret influence, and led the way towards
the spot where the dogs still remained, filling the air with their
long-drawn and piteous complaints.
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