elf in this thicket he felt would be a great comfort to him. Without
serious difficulty he reached the thicket, and while pondering over the
all-absorbing matter as to how he should ever manage to make his escape,
an old man approached. Now while Charles had no reason to think that he
was sought by the old intruder, his very near approach admonished him
that it would neither be safe nor agreeable to allow him to come nearer.
Charles remembering that his trick of playing the dog, when previously
in danger under the hotel, had served a good end, thought that it would
work well in the thicket. So he again tried his power at growling and
barking hideously for a moment or two, which at once caused the man to
turn his course. Charles could hear him distinctly retreating, and at
the same time cursing the dog. The owner of the place had the reputation
of keeping "bad dogs," so the old man poured out a dreadful threat
against "Stephens' dogs," and was soon out of the reach of the one in
the thicket.

[Illustration: ]

Notwithstanding his success in frightening off the old man, CHARLES felt
that the thicket was by no means a safe place for him. He concluded to
make another change. This time he sought a marsh; two hours' stay there
was sufficient to satisfy him, that that too was no place to tarry in,
even for a single night. He, therefore, left immediately. A third time,
he returned to the hotel, where he remained only two days. His appeals
had at last reached the heart of his mother--she could no longer bear to
see him struggling, and suffering, and not render him aid, whatever the
consequences might be. If she at first feared to lend him a helping
hand, she now resolutely worked with a view of saving money to succor
him. Here the prospect began to brighten.

A passage was secured for him on a steamer bound for Philadelphia. One
more day, and night must elapse, ere he could be received on board. The
joyful anticipations which now filled his breast left no room for fear;
indeed, he could scarcely contain himself; he was drunk with joy. In
this state of mind he concluded that nothing would afford him more
pleasure before leaving, than to spend his last hours at the wash house,
"under the floor." To this place he went with no fear of hunters before
his eyes. Charles had scarcely been three hours in this place, however,
before three officers came in search of him. Two of them talked with
Isabella, asked her about her "boarders," e