just
where he had dropped dead--not on his side, but with the legs doubled
under him, and the stout, hoggish ears sticking up like ears of corn.

"The next thing is to find my pony," thought Ralph. "Let's see--which
way did I come? Here are my tracks. I must have come out of that thicket
yonder."

Then, looking about him, he saw another line of tracks, and, going to
examine it, perceived that it was where the boar had chased the black
man across the morass. Most of the negro's footprints were lost in those
of the hog.

Almost at the moment in which Ralph reached his pony, he heard the
report of a gun at some distance, and guessed that Mr. Arthur was coming
in search of him. He answered the signal, and the planter, who had
become anxious for his safety, soon made his appearance.

"I had begun to be really alarmed about you," said Mr. Arthur, "and
feared I should have to go back and summon assistance in the search. If
you had not heard my gun, I should have missed you, for I was just about
to turn in the opposite direction."

"Oh, I am sorry I have given you all this trouble!" said Ralph. "It is
too bad. But you can't think what I have killed! I am glad you have
come, so that I can show you."

"Why, how wet and muddy you are!" said the planter, "and how your
clothes are torn! For heaven's sake! where have you been?"

Ralph related his adventure, and told how the black man had gone into
the forest.

"I would not have had you take such a risk for all I am worth!" said Mr.
Arthur. "What would your father say if he knew of it?"

"But the man couldn't get away, and the boar might have got at him
before I could have had a chance to bring any one else here," replied
Ralph.

"Yes, I know; but it was a fearful risk. No doubt the man was the
runaway that I was speaking of to Mr. Osborne. At least, I should judge
so from your description. Osborne would have detained him, of course;
but I am not sorry that you made no such attempt. I should have been
tempted to let him go myself."

It was a great relief to Ralph to find that Mr. Arthur took this view of
the matter--a very singular one, he thought, for the owner of five or
six hundred slaves; yet, from what he had seen of his kind friend, he
was not surprised at it.

The planter was curious to visit the scene of the adventure, and, with
some difficulty, they made their way to the place.

"Why, Ralph," he exclaimed, looking at the dead animal, and then at the
surround