ve tongue, and the body of
pursuers concentrated themselves on the newly-discovered trail, keeping
as close to the dogs as they could. Those two had quartered the woods
and returned to the party again when they fell upon the slot of some
unfortunate victim who had recently escaped from the place. The pursuit
now became energetic and full of interest, if we could forget the
melancholy and murderous fact that the game pursued were human victims,
who had nothing more nor less to expect from their pursuers than the
savage wolves which then infested the forests--a price having been laid
upon the heads of each.

After some time the party arrived at the outskirts of the wood, and
an individual was seen bounding along in the direction of the
mountains--the two dogs in full pursuit of him. The noise, the
animation, and the tumult of the pursuit were now astounding, and rang
long and loud over the surface of the excited and awakened neighborhood,
whilst the wild echoes of their inhuman enjoyment were giving back their
terrible responses from the hills and valleys around them. The shouting,
the urging on of the dogs by ferocious cries of encouragement, were
loud, incessant, and full of a spirit which, at this day, it is terrible
to reflect upon. The whole country was alive; and the loud, vociferous
agitation which disturbed it, resembled the influence of one of those
storms which lash the quiet sea into madness. Fresh crowds joined them,
as we have said, and the tumult still became louder and stronger. In the
meantime, _Shawn-na-Middogue's_ case--it was he--became hopeless--for
it was the speed of the fleetest runner that ever lived to that of
two powerful bloodhounds, animated, as they were, by their ferocious
instincts. Indeed, the interest of the chase was heightened by the
manner and conduct of the dogs, which, when they came upon the trail of
the individual, in question, yelped aloud with an ecstatic delight that
gave fresh courage to the vociferous band of pursuers.

"Who can that man be?" asked one of them; "he seems to have wings to his
feet."

"By the sacred light of day," exclaimed another, "it is no other than
the famous _Shawn-na-Middogue_ himself. I know him well; and even if I
did not, who could mistake him by his speed of foot?"

"Is that he?" said the mask; "then fifty pounds in addition to the
government reward to the man who will shoot him down, or secure him,
living or dead: only let him be taken."

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