h his ear placed
close to the ground, appeared to listen. The movement was too
significant not to attract the attention of everybody. My companion was
the only one who did not comprehend it; but she observed that it had
powerfully affected all the others; and an ejaculation of alarm escaped
her, as she saw them hastening up to the place occupied by the prostrate
trapper. Before we could arrive on the spot, the man had sprung back
into an erect attitude; and, as he stamped his timber leg with violence
upon the ground, was heard to exclaim: "_Carrambo, camarados_! The curs
are upon our trail! _Oiga los_?--_el perro_--_el perro_!" (You hear
them?--the dog--the dog!) The words were scarcely out of his mouth when
their interpretation was given in the sound that came pealing up the
valley. Borne upon the sighing breeze, it was heard above the rushing
noise of the waters--easily heard, and as easily understood. It was the
bay of a dog, who ran "growling" along a trail! Its deep tone was even
identified. The huntress recognised it in the first note that fell upon
her ear--as was evidenced by her quick exclamation: "Wolf! my dog Wolf!"
The speech had scarcely escaped her, before the dog himself made his
appearance, convincing us all of his identity. The animal, seeing us,
ran no longer by the scent; but with raised snout came galloping across
the valley, and bounded forward to receive the caresses of his mistress.
We rushed to our weapons; and, having grasped them, ran behind the
boulders of rock. It would have been idle to have taken to our horses.
If our pursuers were following the dog, and guided by him, they would
already be near enough to intercept our retreat from the vallon?
Perhaps they were at that moment in the gorge? We had but one hope; and
that was, that the dog might be _alone_. Missing Marian at the camp, he
might have struck upon her trail, and been running upon it throughout
the night! This seemed scarcely probable: for Holt could have detained
him; and in all likelihood would have done so? Still less probable did
it appear, as we watched the movements of the dog himself. Instead of
staying by Marian, and continuing to receive her caresses, we noticed
that at short intervals he ran off again, making demonstration in the
direction he had come--as if in expectation of some one who was
following at his heels! The slight hope we had conceived was quickly
and rudely crushed, by the confirmation of th