's shooting and hunting in some woods three or four miles north of
the village; but having an engagement at home in the afternoon, I left
the party soon after one o'clock. When within about two miles of the
village I left the main road to take a short cut across the land of a
man named John Vidler, an Englishman.

During the early morning there had been a slight fall of snow, barely
sufficient to cover the ground, but as it was so early in the season
Vidler had not taken his few sheep into winter quarters. These I found
apparently in a state of alarm, huddled together in a corner of a "lot"
through which I had to pass.

As I was about to climb the fence and leave the "lot," I observed blood
on the ground, which probably would not have attracted my further
attention but for recent events. On looking more closely, I could
distinctly trace in the snow the footmarks of an animal resembling those
of a dog, and which enabled me to follow the direction in which he had
gone. It occurred to me at once that this was probably the work of the
mysterious marauder. I knew of the reward of two hundred dollars, and
my finances were not such as to render me indifferent to the chance of
winning it, so, with the spirit of the hunter strong within me, I
started off upon the trail, which quickly led me to the edge of the
wood, where it disappeared.

It was clear that the animal had entered the wood. I suddenly reflected
upon the extraordinary size of the animal's foot, and when I coupled
that fact with the words in the offer of reward--"or other animal"--it
occurred to me that I might be hunting bigger and more formidable game
than a dog.

I confess to a strange feeling which made me pause. True, I had my
trusty gun with me, and a good supply of ammunition, but after a moment
or two of reflection I decided to suspend the pursuit and go and tell
John Vidler, and seek to associate him with me in further proceedings.

In this I had no difficulty, for though Vidler, whose farm and abode
were remote and lonely, had heard only rumours of the events which had
so stirred the surrounding neighbourhood, it was enough for him that he
was now among the victims, so he quickly went to the stables, or "barn,"
and brought out his old mare, and, throwing a buffalo skin, or "robe,"
as such are called, across her back, he mounted, and away we went.

I travelled afoot by his side. We picked up the trail where I had left
it--at the edge of the wood; but h