from the body and motioned to Leland to follow him. Not
another being was awake, and tremblingly he followed over their
prostrate, sleeping forms. They were just passing into the thick
surrounding darkness, when the negro, through some means, awoke.

"Gorra," he shouted, "isn't you gwine to help dis pusson too?"

"Cuss that nigger," muttered the hunter. "Keep close to me and use your
pegs, fur a long run's before us."

Both darted away together, as the wild yells told them that their escape
was discovered. Those horrid, unearthly whoops, of which no idea can be
had unless they be heard, set Leland's blood on fire. In a moment the
whole forest seemed swarming with their enemies, and the yells of many
were fearfully near. Kent could distance any of them when alone, yet the
presence of Leland retarded him somewhat. However, by taking the
latter's hand, they both passed over the ground with great swiftness,
and neither had much fear of being overtaken.

On, on plunged the pursued, until many a mile had been passed; still
they halted not. The voices and answering shouts of the savages could be
heard upon every side, and they had yet by no means reached a place of
safety. Now some limb brushed in Leland's face, or he stumbled over some
fallen tree, and then, without a murmur, arose and pursued his way. On,
on they hurried, until the dispersing darkness told them that the day
was not far distant.

"I can travel no further," said Leland, sinking to the earth.

"Give out?" queried Kent.

"I believe I have. This is a terrible chase; but the prospect of a
recapture and death cannot goad me further, until I have rested."

"Wal, no mistake we have tramped some; but Lord save you, this is just
fun for me."

"Do you not think that they will abandon pursuit?"

"No danger of that. As soon as 'tis light they'll pounce upon our trail,
and foller it until it's lost or we are cotched."

"Which must not be."

"Wal, p'raps if they get their claws on you you wouldn't feel very
comfortable."

But they had passed through the most trying ordeals, and had now only to
make their way as best they could. Kent had some idea of the nature of
the ground, and they progressed with greater ease and rapidity, after a
short rest.

"Here we are," said the hunter, coming to a halt. Leland gazed ahead,
and saw a broad sheet of water which he knew must be the Ohio.

"And now," added Kent, "we've got to hunt up Leslie. He can't be far
off, and