and sad
expression.

"He is not coming," said Lucien, in a sorrowful tone.

"No; he would have been up long since. He would be certain to gallop if
he had seen the smoke. We must go after him."

They turned towards their horses. Basil's glance fell upon the dog. A
gleam of joy shot into his eye, and big whole bearing became suddenly
changed.

"Ha!" he exclaimed, "we have been wasting time. Quick, Lucien!--your
horse! to your horse!"

"What is it?" asked Lucien in surprise.

"Do not ask me--a good thought strikes me; but we have not a moment to
lose--time is precious. Let us be off!"

"But shall we leave Jeanette?"

"By all means. Francois _might_ come up."

"If he should, how is he to know where we are gone?"

"True," answered Basil, reflecting a moment. "Oh!" he continued, "give
me your paper and pencil. You tie Jeanette while I write."

Lucien handed him a small slip of paper with a pencil; and then
proceeded to tie the mule securely to one of the branches.

Basil took the paper and wrote:--

"_Francois, we are gone upon your trail. Stay by Jeanette_."

He fastened the paper conspicuously to the trunk of a tree; and then,
seizing his rifle and leaping into the saddle, called upon Lucien to
follow him.

Lucien mounted, and rode after, while the dog Marengo trotted in the
rear.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

TRAILING WITH A BLOOD-HOUND.

They rode in a direct line to the spot where they had started in pursuit
of the turkeys. From this place Francois had taken to the left; but
there were many tracks leading in the same direction--of horses, too,
that had galloped.

"As I told you, brother," remarked Basil, "we could never have followed
his trail by the tracks. Even here we are not certain of it. These
must be his though--they look a little fresher than the others. Let us
try them. Marengo!"

"Stay, brother!" interrupted Lucien. "The last place I saw Francois was
yonder. I caught a glimpse of him passing round that point of timber."

"Ha! that is better. Perhaps, there his tracks may be separate from the
others. Come on!"

They rode about a hundred paces farther, which brought them to the point
of timber indicated by Lucien.

"Yes," exclaimed Basil, "you are right! He has passed here. There are
his tracks distinctly."

Basil dismounted, giving Lucien his rein. He knelt upon the grass, and
examined the hoof-prints, one after the other, with extreme care.

"So!" he muttered,