tions through the mazes of the
misty future, for they were interrupted by the appearance on the water
of a distant object, which excited his attention. A searching and
anxious scrutiny convinced him that it was the boat in which Maxwell had
made his escape. Though at a great distance from him, he could see that
it contained two men. Guardian as he was of his mistress' honor and
safety, the sight awakened all his fears and called up all his energy.
Did they know that his mistress had gone to Cottage Island? It was
possible that Vernon had obtained a knowledge of her movements. The
faithful fellow was almost maddened at the thought.

The boat approached Cottage Island, and Hatchie observed them pull in
under the high bank. This movement was ominous of evil, and all the
mulatto's fears were confirmed, when, as they passed the mouth of the
little stream, he saw one of them rise in the boat and point it out.
Satisfied that his canoe was yet unnoticed by his enemies, and dreading
no immediate danger, he paddled across the river so as to bring the
island between them. When he had gained a position which hid him from
their view, he used all his immense strength in propelling the canoe
towards the island. A few minutes sufficed to bring him up with the
western shore of the islet, his enemies being upon the opposite side.
Keeping close to the high bank, he paddled down-stream to the lower
extremity of the island, where the sound of voices caused him suddenly
to check his progress, and gain a landing. Drawing the canoe out of
reach of the current, he climbed up the bank, which, being near the
down-stream end of the island, sloped gradually down, till it terminated
in the low, sandy beach.

He reached the high bank without attracting the attention of the party
of whose motions he wished to obtain a knowledge. He could now
distinctly hear their conversation, though they were still at a
considerable distance from him. Cautiously he climbed a thick
cotton-wood tree, whose foliage completely screened him from
observation, and there awaited the nearer approach of Maxwell and his
confederate.

"Are you sure this is the island?" said Maxwell, when they had come
within hearing of Hatchie.

"This must be the one," replied Vernon. "We shall soon see whether it is
inhabited or not."

"With whom did the girl leave the wood-yard?"

"With a doctor who lives like a hermit on this island. I saw them from a
distance get into the sail-boat,