they catch him, whoever he was. Presently
I heard their footsteps pass close by. I had had no time to reload, so
had they discovered me I should have been in their power. I determined,
however, to have a fight for it rather than become their prisoner, or
allow myself to be murdered on the spot. It was very evident that they
had no experience as backwoodsmen, or they would have discovered my
trail. They had been depending on their dog, and were now completely at
fault.

"`He must have run that way, and can't have got far, for I heard the
shot not five minutes ago,' exclaimed one of them.

"`On, on, we shall soon overtake him, whoever he is.' These words
greatly relieved my mind and I felt sure, from the sounds which reached
my ears, that they were hurrying on to the northward. As soon as I
calculated that they were out of sight, I made my way towards the
cavern. I found Dio crouching down at the entrance.

"`We will hide until to-morrow morning and then pursue our course,' I
whispered. `By that time the Kentuckians will probably have turned back
and given up the pursuit, as it is very clear they can do nothing
without their dog.'

"Dio agreed to this, and by searching about we soon discovered a hollow
in which we could remain concealed until the following morning, when I
proposed going out first to ascertain whether the coast was clear.
There was abundance of dry wood not far from the mouth of the cavern.
We soon collected enough to keep up a fire during the night, and in the
spot we had chosen there was no fear of its reflection being seen
outside. It served to cook our provisions and at the same time scare
off any wolves or bears who might visit us. We were not disturbed,
however, during the night, although nearly stifled with the smoke from
the small fire we kept up. According to my intention, soon after
daylight the next morning, I alone first went out to reconnoitre.
Fortunate it was that I did so, for on reaching the edge of the forest I
found the fire still burning where our pursuers had camped, and I had
little doubt that they were watching for the man who had killed their
hound. I therefore turned back, so that I could keep concealed among
the trees, and before long I caught sight of them in the distance. This
showed me that it would be prudent to remain in our cavern another day,
until the fellows had got weary of looking for me. I was thankful that
they had no Indians with them, or they woul