I
went on, but soon began to limp. There was no elasticity in my step
now. My great consolation was that I was near Natty, for I was sure the
wood I saw was that I had left in the morning. The pain had damped my
spirits, and I now began to fear that perhaps after all Natty had grown
worse, or that some wild beasts had found out our hut, and managed to
penetrate into the interior. I was wrong to allow these thoughts to
enter my mind, I know, but under my circumstances it was but natural.
At length I caught sight, under a tree, of what in the moonlight looked
like a mound. It was our hut; but just then I observed several objects
moving about round it, and as I drew near a loud barking and yelping
saluted my ears. I rushed forward. "Those brutes of dogs have found
out Natty!" I exclaimed. Even then I thought that I might be too late
to save him. Shouting out in a stern, strong voice, which I had found
successful before, I ordered them to depart, waving my gun with furious
gestures before me. The dogs saw me, and began to retreat; but some of
them, I thought, seemed to come out of the very hut itself. "Natty!
Natty!" I cried out, "are you safe? Tell me! oh, tell me!"

I got no answer, but the barking and yelping might have drowned Natty's
voice. I dashed frantically forward. I could not fire without the risk
of sending the ball through the hut I doubted, indeed, whether the sound
of my rifle would have much effect on them. The yelping, barking pack
retired as I advanced. "Natty, Natty, speak to me!" I again cried out.

My heart bounded with joy when a faint voice proceeded from within. "O
Andrew! have you really come? I was afraid you must have been killed."

"I am all safe," I answered; "but I must drive these brutes to a
distance before I come to you."

There was a good supply of sticks. I hastily drew them together, and
lighting a match, quickly had a brisk fire burning. The light and my
shouts finally drove off the pack, and I now ventured to open the
entrance to our hut. Natty was sitting up. He pointed to his mouth. I
hastily poured out some of the water, and gave him an ample draught; and
then I sank down on the ground, overcome with fatigue and the pain which
my sprained ankle gave me. I recovered sufficiently, however, to
exchange a few sentences with him, when he told me of the anxiety he had
been suffering, and of the dread he had had that the dogs would force
their way into the hut.