tracks we had seen at the river were filled with
water, thus proving that the rain had ceased while the overseer was
passing between the two places. He was therefore not far off.

The Colonel and Sandy soon rode up.

"Caught a live log! eh, my good fellow?" asked my host, with a laugh.

"No; but here's the overseer as plain as daylight; and his tracks not
wet!"

Quickly dismounting, he examined the ground, and then exclaimed:

"The d--l----it's a fact--here not four hours ago! He has doubled on
his tracks since, I'll wager, and not made twenty miles--we'll have him
before night, sure! Come, mount--quick."

We sprang into our saddles, and again pressed rapidly on after the dog,
who followed the scent at the top of his speed.

Some three miles more of wet, miry road took us to the run of which the
Colonel had spoken. Arrived there, we found the hound standing on the
bank, wet to the skin, and looking decidedly chop-fallen.

"Death and d----n!" shouted the Colonel; "the dog has swum the run, and
lost the trail on the other side! The d--d scoundrel has taken to the
water, and balked us after all! Take up the dog, Sandy, and try him
again over there."

The native spoke to Caesar, who bounded on to the horse's back in front
of his master. They then crossed the stream, which there was about
fifty yards wide, and so shallow that in the deepest part the water
merely touched the horse's breast; but it was so roiled by the recent
rain that we could not distinguish the foot-prints of the horse beneath
the surface.

The dog ranged up and down the opposite bank, but all to no purpose: the
overseer had not been there. He had gone either up or down the
stream--in which direction, was now the question. Calling Sandy back to
our side of the run, the Colonel proceeded to hold a 'council of war.'
Each one gave his opinion, which was canvassed by the others, with as
much solemnity as if the fate of the Union hung on the decision.

The native proposed we should separate--one go up, another down the
stream, and the third, with the dog, follow the road; to which he
thought Moye had finally returned. Those who should explore the run
would easily detect the horse's tracks where he had left it, and then
taking a straight course to the road, all might meet some five miles
further on, at a place indicated.

I gave my adhesion to Sandy's plan, but the Colonel overruled it on the
ground of the waste of time that would be incurred in th