beyond the reach of those
villains who surround you, all will be well."

"And our father, Marian?"

"No harm will come to him. It is not his ruin they seek; but yours,
sister, yours!" A choking sigh was all the reply I could hear. It
appeared to be a signal that the spell was broken: as if the heart had
escaped from some thraldom in which it had been long held. Had the
words of Marian produced conviction? or had they but confirmed some
apprehension previously conceived? Was it the snapping of the filial
thread I had heard in that anguished expression? Both the sigh and the
silence that followed seemed to signify assent. To make more sure, I
was about to add the influence of my intervention, with all the fervency
of a lover's appeal. Wild words were upon my lips; when at that moment
some strange interjections reached my ears, uttered within the
enclosure. I stepped suddenly to one side, and looked over the wheels
of the waggon. There I beheld a spectacle that caused the blood to rush
through my veins in quick quivering current. Marian saw it at the same
time. Holt had been seated near the fire, when seen but the moment
before; but, as we now looked through, we saw that he had risen to his
feet, and was standing in an attitude that betrayed some singular
excitement! It was from him the interjections had proceeded. The cause
was easily explained. The dog Wolf was leaping up against his legs--
uttering low growls of recognition, and making other demonstrations of
joy. The animal had identified its old master! Despite the stained
snout and close-trimmed tonsure--despite both paint and shears--the dog
had been also identified. Between him and his master the recognition
was mutual. I saw this at a glance; and the speeches of the squatter
only confirmed what was already evident to the eye.

"Durn it, ef 'taint my ole dog!" cried he, after several shorter
exclamations--"my ole dog Wolf! Hullo, Stebbins!" continued he, facing
sharply round to the Saint; "what's the meanin' o' this? Didn't you
tell me that he wur dead?"

Stebbins had turned pale as a sheet; and I could see his thin lips
quivering with excitement. It was less fear than some other passion
that was playing upon his features; and too easily could I conjecture
the current of thought that was running through his brain. The presence
of that animal must have called up a train of reflections, far wilder
and stranger than those that were passing