ain. I fear that they are in pursuit of us."

They both went on at a quick pace, Eric having shewn Wolf the
wonderful thread, and explained to him how he must never part with it,
come what may, and having also given him a bit of his cake to comfort
him. "O rub-a-dub, dub!" said Wolf, squeezing the water out of his
hair, as he trotted along; "I am glad to be away. Ralph would have
killed me like a pig. The voice told me to run after you." So on they
went together, happy again to meet. Suddenly Wolf stopped, and
listening with anxious face, he said, "Hark! did you hear anything?"
"No," said Eric, "what was it?" "Hush!--listen!--there again--I hear
it!" "I think I do hear something far off like a dog's bark," replied
Eric. "Hark!" So they both stopped and listened, and far away they
heard a deep "Bow-wow-wow-wow-o-o-o-o-o" echoing through the forest.
"Let us run as fast as we can," said the boy, in evident fear; "hear
him!--hear him!" "Bow-wow-wow-o-o-o-o," and the sound came nearer and
nearer. "What is it? why are you so afraid?" inquired Eric. "Oh! that
is Ralph's bloodhound, Tuscar," cried Wolf, "and he is following us.
He won't perhaps touch me, but you he may." So Eric ran as fast as he
could, but never let go the gold thread, which this time led towards a
steep hill, which they were obliged to scramble up. "Run,
Eric!--quick--hide--up a tree--anywhere!" "I cannot, I dare not," said
Eric; "whatever happens, I must hold fast my thread." But they heard
the "Bow-wow-o-o-o" coming nearer and nearer, and as they looked back
they saw the large hound rush out of the wood, and as he came to the
water, catching sight of the boys on the opposite hill, he leaped in,
and in a few minutes would be near them. And now he came bellowing
like a fierce bull up the hill, his tongue hanging out, and his nose
tracking along the ground, as he followed their footsteps. "I shall
run and meet him," said Wolf, "and stop him if I can;" and down ran
the swineherd, calling, "Tuscar! Tuscar! good dog, Tuscar!" Tuscar
knew Wolf, and passed him, but ran up to Eric. As he reached Eric, who
stood calm and firm, the bloodhound stopped, panting, smelling his
clothes all round, but, strange to say, wagging his huge tail! He then
ran back the way he had come, as if he had made a mistake, and all his
race was for nothing! How was this? Ah, poor Tuscar remembered the
supper Eric had given him, and was grateful for his kindness!

[Illustration]

Wolf was