long as _they_ were not with him?
It would only give Francois another companion in his misery, but no
clue by which he would be enabled to find _them_, or they _him_.

These thoughts were communicated between the two as they galloped on
side by side. Soon the sun set, and the shades of twilight fell upon
the grass. It grew darker, until it was difficult to distinguish the
dusky body of the hound passing over the sward. What was to be done?
He would soon glide away from them, and leave them without a guide!

"I have it!" suddenly exclaimed Basil; and at the words he spurred his
horse forward to overtake Marengo. The next moment he flung himself
from the saddle; and, seizing the hound, arrested him in his tracks.

"Alight, brother!" he cried; "alight, and help me. Off with your
shirt--it is whiter than mine."

Lucien, half comprehending his design, immediately pulled off his
blouse, and after that his shirt--which was of bleached cotton cloth
lightly striped, and in the dim light showed nearly white. Basil took
hold of it; and hurriedly tore off the sleeves. He then drew it upon
the dog; and having passed the animal's fore-feet through the arm-holes,
tied the collar securely around his throat with a piece of thong, and
knotted the skirts over the flanks behind. Thus arrayed, Marengo looked
like a street monkey; and was rendered quite visible in the glimmering
darkness.

"Now!" cried Basil, exultingly, "we can follow him if it were as dark as
pitch."

"Stay a moment," said Lucien; "let us make sure. It is clear enough--I
can write yet." As Lucien said this, he took out his note-book, and
wrote:--

"_Francois, come back on your own trail. You will find us upon it. If
you cannot follow it, let Marengo guide you_."

He tore out the leaf, handing it to Basil, who fastened it securely to
the shirt.

Marengo was again set loose, and took to the trail, while both mounted
hastily and followed him.

Fortunately the night did not turn out so dark as they had anticipated;
and they could see the white covering with sufficient distinctness to
enable them to follow it, even at a gallop. And thus they rode for
nearly another hour--Basil still blazing their trail as they swept past
the timber islets.

All at once, as they rounded a thick grove, a bright object glistened
before their eyes. It was a blazing fire under the shadow of some tall
trees! Marengo made straight for it. Fearing it might be an encampmen