wonderful as that of the trained
dogs in Georgia, which will stick to the track of a convict when it has
been trampled upon by hundreds of others wearing similar dress and
shoes, and will keep to it for miles by running parallel to the trail
and at a distance of a hundred feet.

But in the latter case the canines have an advantage at the start; they
are put upon the track or directed to hunt for it where it is known to
exist; they are given a clew in some form.

The hound Nero was skilful in taking a scent, but his ability was not
to be compared to that of the dogs to which I have referred, nor indeed
was it necessary that it should be. But he had great intelligence, and
acted as if he understood every word said to him by his master. He had
saved Hugh and his friends many a time by giving warning from afar of
the approach of strange parties. It may seem incredible that he should
know what was wanted of him, but there is the best reason for saying he
understood it all. Having no part of the little one's clothing to
help, he was without the clew which would appear to be indispensable.
His master, however, was satisfied the dog had struck the right trail.

"Stick to it, Nero," said Hugh, encouragingly, "not too fast, but be
sure you're right."

Without pause, the two followed the dog, Hugh in front with lantern in
hand. The woods were so cluttered with undergrowth that they could not
go fast, seeing which Nero suited his pace to theirs. Now and then he
ran ahead, as if impatient with the slow progress of the couple, and
then he calmly awaited their approach.

"Hark!"

The single word "_Dollie_!" rang through the arches of the woods. They
recognized the voice as that of the superintendent, who was hurrying
over the path they had left, and who was not far away. In fact, Hugh
held the lantern in front of him so as to hide its rays.

"I am sorry for him," he said, "but we don't want him with us."

"It cannot be," remarked Tom, after they had struggled further, "that
she has gone as far as this; Nero must be off the track."

At this moment the dog emitted a low, baying whine that would have
startled any one had he not known its meaning. It was the signal which
the remarkable animal always gave when close to the end of a trail.

"We shall soon know the worst," said Hugh, crashing through the wood
with such haste that Tom had to hurry almost into a trot to save
himself from dropping behind.

The singular cal