midnight
Suddenly Hoxer heard the sound that had baffled him hitherto -- heard it again and -- oh , horrible ! -- recognized it at last ! The baying of bloodhounds it was , the triumphant cry that showed that the brutes had caught the trail and were keeping it . On and on came the iteration , ever louder , ever nearer , waking the echoes till wood and brake and midnight waters seemed to rock and sway with the sound , and the stars in the sky to quake in unison with the vibrations . Never at fault , never a moment 's cessation , and presently the shouts of men and the tramp of horses blended with that deep , tumultuous note of blood crying to heaven for vengeance . Far , far , down the lake it was . Hoxer could see nothing of the frantic rout when the hounds paused baffled at the water-side .