was an old hunter, and had some knowledge of "woodcraft," gathered in
deerstalking, and in the pursuit of other game, among my native hills.
Moreover, my nine months of New-world life had not all been passed
within city walls; and I had already become initiated into many of the
mysteries of the great American forest.

I did not proceed, then, in mere reckless haste. Where precautions
could be observed, I adopted them.

A strip of marsh had to be crossed. It was stagnant water, out of which
grew flags, and the shrub called "swamp-wood" (_Bois de marais_). It
was knee-deep, and could he waded. I knew this, for I had crossed it
before. Hand in hand we waded through, and got safe to the opposite
side; but on entering I took pains to choose a place, where we stepped
at once from the dry ground into the water. On going out, I observed a
like precaution--so that our tracks might not appear in the mud.

Perhaps I should not have taken all this trouble, had I known that,
there were "hunters" among those who pursued us. I fancied the crowd I
had seen were but planters, or people of the town--hurriedly brought
together by Gayarre and his friends. I fancied they might not have much
skill in tracking, and that my simple trick might be sufficient to
mislead them.

Had I known that at their head was a man, of whom Gabriel had told me
much--a man _who made negro-hunting his profession_, and who was the
most noted "tracker" in all the country--I might have saved myself both
the time and the trouble I was taking. But I knew not that this ruffian
and his trained dogs were after us, and I did my utmost to throw my
pursuers off.

Shortly after passing the marsh, we crossed the "big bayou" by means of
its tree-bridge. Oh! that I could have destroyed that log, or hurled it
from its position. I consoled myself with the idea, that though the
dogs might follow us over it, it would delay the pursuers awhile, who,
no doubt, were all on horseback.

We now passed through the glade, but I halted not there. We stopped not
to look upon its bright flowers--we perceived not their fragrance. Once
I had wished to share this lovely scene in the company of Aurore. We
were now in its midst, but under what circumstances! What wild thoughts
were passing through my brain, as we hurried across this flowery tract
under bright sunshine, and then plunged once more into the sombre
atmosphere of the woods!

The path I remembered well, and was ab