uld end in failure.

Arthur Wells knew Black Rock Creek thoroughly, having hunted there
more than once. It was bordered in most places with sharp rocks
against which the waters of the lake beat heavily. Its channel was
some thirty feet deep, so that the "Terror" could take shelter either
upon the surface or under water. In two or three places the steep
banks gave way to sand beaches which led to little gorges reaching up
toward the woods, two or three hundred feet.

It was seven in the evening when our carriage reached these woods.
There was still daylight enough for us to see easily, even in the
shade of the trees. To have crossed openly to the edge of the creek
would have exposed us to the view of the men of the "Terror," if she
were still there, and thus give her warning to escape.

"Had we better stop here?" I asked Wells, as our rig drew up to the
edge of the woods.

"No, Mr. Strock," said he. "We had better leave the carriage deeper
in the woods, where there will be no chance whatever of our being
seen."

"Can the carriage drive under these trees?"

"It can," declared Wells. "I have already explored these woods
thoroughly. Five or six hundred feet from here, there is a little
clearing, where we will be completely hidden, and where our horses
may find pasture. Then, as soon as it is dark, we will go down to the
beach, at the edge of the rocks which shut in the mouth of the creek.
Thus if the 'Terror' is still there, we shall stand between her and
escape."

Eager as we all were for action, it was evidently best to do as Wells
suggested and wait for night. The intervening time could well be
occupied as he said. Leading the horses by the bridle, while they
dragged the empty carriage, we proceeded through the heavy woods. The
tall pines, the stalwart oaks, the cypress scattered here and there,
made the evening darker overhead. Beneath our feet spread a carpet of
scattered herbs, pine needles and dead leaves. Such was the thickness
of the upper foliage that the last rays of the setting sun could no
longer penetrate here. We had to feel our way; and it was not without
some knocks that the carriage reached the clearing ten minutes later.

This clearing, surrounded by great trees, formed a sort of oval,
covered with rich grass. Here it was still daylight, and the darkness
would scarcely deepen for over an hour. There was thus time to
arrange an encampment and to rest awhile after our hard trip over the
rough and