that occurred to me. The pursuers,
thought I, detained by the bayou, might have lost the dogs, and would
not follow their track so easily. Some time would be wasted at all
events. Even should they form a correct guess as to the fate of the
hounds, neither men afoot nor on horseback could penetrate to our
hiding-place. They would need boats or canoes. More time would be
consumed in bringing these from the river, and perhaps night would be
down before this could be effected. On night and D'Hauteville I still
had confidence.

That was previous to the conflict with the man-hunter.

After that affair, circumstances had undergone a change. Alive or dead,
Ruffin would guide the pursuit to where we were. If still living--and
now that my angry feeling had passed away I hoped he was--he would at
once direct the pursuers upon us.

I believed he was not dead--only wounded. His behaviour, after
receiving the shot, had not been like that of a man mortally wounded. I
believed, and hoped, that he still lived:--not that I felt at all
remorseful at what had happened, but from mere prudential
considerations. If dead, his body by the prostrate tree would soon be
discovered, and would tell the tale to those who came up. We should be
captured all the same, and might expect the more terrible consequences.

The rencontre with this ruffian had been altogether unfortunate. It had
changed the face of affairs. Blood had been spilt _in defence of a
runaway_. The news would return rapidly to the town. It would spread
through the plantations with lightning-speed. The whole community would
be fired and roused--the number of our pursuers quadrupled. I should be
hunted as a _double_ outlaw, and with the hostile energy of vengeance!

I knew all this, and no longer speculated upon the probabilities of
deliverance. There was not the remotest prospect of our being able to
get away.

I drew my betrothed near me. I folded her in my arms, and pressed her
to my heart. Till death she would be mine! She swore it in that
shadowy spot--in that dread and darksome hour. Till death she would be
mine!

Her love inspired me with courage; and with courage I awaited the
result.

Another hour passed.

Despite our fearful anticipations, that hour was pleasantly spent.
Strange it is to say so, but it was in reality one of the happiest hours
I can remember. It was the first time I had been enabled to hold free
converse with Aurore since th