dog spring
at me, I knew that any violent exertion to fend him off would either
cause me to be precipitated into the water, or would upset the boat--a
still more dreadful alternative.

"These thoughts did not occupy half the time I have taken to describe
them. Short, however, as that time was in actual duration, to me it
seemed long enough, for the dog still held a threatening attitude, his
forepaws resting upon one of the seats, while his eyes continued to
glare upon me with a wild and uncertain expression.

"I remained for some moments in fearful suspense. I was half paralysed
with terror, and uncertain what action it would be best to take. I
feared that any movement would attract the fierce animal, and be the
signal for him to spring upon me. I thought of jumping out of the skiff
into the water. I could not wade in it. It was shallow enough--not
over five feet in depth, but the bottom appeared to be of soft mud. I
might sink another foot in the mud. No; I could not have waded. The
idea was dismissed.

"To swim to the shore? I glanced sideways in that direction: it was
nearly half a mile distant. I could never reach it, cumbered with my
clothes. To have stripped these off, would have tempted the attack.
Even could I have done so, might not the dog follow and seize me in the
water? A horrible thought!

"I abandoned all hope of escape, at least that might arise from any
active measures on my part. I could do nothing to save myself; my only
hope lay in passively awaiting the result.

"Impressed with this idea, I remained motionless as a statue; I moved
neither hand nor foot from the attitude I had first assumed; I scarcely
permitted myself to breathe, so much did I dread attracting the farther
attention of my terrible companion, and interrupting the neutrality that
existed.

"For some minutes--they seemed hours--this state of affairs continued.
The dog still stood up, with his forepaws raised upon the bench; the
oars were among his feet. In this position he remained, gazing wildly,
though it did not appear to me steadily, in my face. Several times I
thought he was about to spring on me; and, although I carefully avoided
making any movement, I instinctively grasped my gun with a firmer hold.
To add to my embarrassment, I saw that I was fast drifting seaward! The
wind was from the shore; it was impelling the boat with considerable
velocity, in consequence of the mass of bushes acting as sails. Alre