the nicotine, I had but little faith in
it. I had only heard it casually talked of as a remedy. It might,
thought I, be one of the thousand fancies that people love to indulge
in; and I had only used it as a "forlorn hope."

I bound the mass to my wrist--a torn sleeve serving for lint; and then,
turning my face in the direction I intended to take, I started off
afresh.

I had scarce made three strides when my steps were suddenly arrested. I
stopped on observing a man on the edge of the glade, and directly in
front of me.

He had just come out of the underwood, towards which I was advancing,
and, on perceiving me, had suddenly halted--perhaps surprised at the
sight of one of his own kind in such a wild place.

I hailed his appearance with a shout of joy. "A guide!--a deliverer!"
thought I.

What was my astonishment--my chagrin--my indignation--when the man
suddenly turned his back upon me; and, plunging into the bushes,
disappeared from my sight!

I was astounded at this strange conduct. I had just caught a glimpse of
the man's face as he turned away. I had seen that he was a negro, and I
had noticed that he appeared to be frightened. But what was there about
me to terrify him?

I called out to him to stop--to come back. I shouted in tones of
entreaty--of command--of menace. In vain. He made neither stop nor
stay. I heard the branches crackle as he broke through the thicket--
each moment the noise appearing more distant.

It was my only chance for a guide. I must not lose it; and, bracing
myself for a run, I started after him.

If I possess any physical accomplishment in which I have confidence it
is my fleetness of foot. At that time an Indian runner could not have
escaped me, much less a clumsy, long-heeled negro. I knew that if I
could once more got my eyes upon the black, I would soon overhaul him;
but therein lay the difficulty. In my hesitation I had given him a long
start; and he was now out of sight in the depth of the thicket.

But I could hear him breaking through the bushes like a hog; and,
guiding myself by the sound, I kept up the pursuit.

I was already somewhat jaded by my previous exertions; but the
conviction that _my life depended on overtaking the negro_ kindled my
energies afresh, and I ran like a greyhound. Unfortunately it was not a
question of simple speed, else the chase would soon have been brought to
an end. It was in getting through the bushes, and dodging round t