the approach of Joe with
the sled. Ringwood and Jowler evinced palpable signs of delight on
beholding the bound captive, but their training was so perfect that
they showed no disposition to molest it without the orders of their
master. One word from Glenn, and the deer would have been instantly
torn in pieces; but it was exempt from danger as long as that word was
withheld.

Joe soon came up, and in a very few minutes the doe was laid upon the
sled. When he was in the act of starting homewards with his novel
burden, the hounds, contrary to their usual practice, refused to
accompany Glenn to the thicket north of their position, where the fox
was still heard, and strangely seemed inclined to run in a contrary
direction. And what was equally remarkable, while snuffing the air
towards the south, they gave utterance to repeated fierce growls. Joe
was utterly astonished, and Glenn was fast losing the equanimity of
his temper.

"There's something more than common down there; see how Ringwood
bristles up on the back," said Joe.

"Run there with the hounds, and see what it is," said Glenn.

"And I'll take my musket, too," said Joe, striding in the direction
indicated, with the hounds at his heels and his musket on his
shoulder.

When he reached a narrow rivulet about one hundred paces distant, that
gradually widened and deepened until it formed the valley in which the
ferry-house was situated a half mile below, he paused and suffered the
hounds to lead the way. They ran a short distance up the ravine and
halted at the edge of a small thicket, and commenced barking very
fiercely as they scented the air under the bushes.

"I'll bet it's another bear," said Joe, putting a fresh priming in the
pan of his musket, and proceeding after the hounds. "If it is a bear,
ought I to fool with him by myself?" said he, pausing at the edge of
the thicket. "I might get my other ear boxed," he continued, "and it's
not such a pleasant thing to be knocked down by the heavy fist of a
big black bear. If I don't trouble him, he'll be sure to let me alone.
What if I call the dogs off, and go back? But what tale can I
manufacture to tell Mr. Glenn? Pshaw! What should I fear, with such a
musket as this in my hand? I can't help it. I really believe I _am_ a
little touched with cowardice! I'm sorry for it, but I can't help it.
It was born with me, and it's not my fault. Confound it! I _will_
screw up courage enough to see what it is, anyhow." Sayin