hat quite bewildered Frank and Archie, who drew their
revolvers, and turned their horses' heads down the path, ready to fight
or run, as they might find it necessary. An instant afterward, a large,
tan-colored hound bounded across the path, and dashed into the bushes
where the game was concealed. It was not one of those which had so
disgracefully left the field a few moments before--it was Carlo,
Johnny's favorite hound--an animal whose strength had been tested in
many a desperate encounter, and which had never been found wanting in
courage. Scarcely had he disappeared when Marmion came in sight, also
following the trail. He ran with his nose close to the ground, the hair
on his back standing straight up like the quills on a porcupine, and
his whole appearance indicating great rage and excitement.

"Hi! hi!" yelled Frank. "Take hold of him, you rascal! Now's your time,
Arthur. Ride up and give him the contents of your double-barrel; only,
be careful, and don't shoot the dogs."

For an instant, it seemed as if Arthur's courage had returned, and that
he was about to yield to the entreaties of his companions. He
straightened up in his saddle, and, assuming what he, no doubt, imagined
to be a very determined look, was on the point of urging his horse
forward, when suddenly there arose from the woods a chorus of yells, and
snarls, and growls, that made the cold chills creep all over him, and
caused him to forget every thing in the desire to put a safe distance
between himself and the terrible animal in the bushes. Acting on the
impulse of the moment, he wheeled his horse, and, before Frank or Archie
could utter a word, he shot by them, and disappeared down the path.

For a moment, the two boys, forgetting that a furious battle was going
on a little way from them, gazed at each other in blank amazement. The
mighty hunter, who had boasted of whipping a grizzly-bear in a fair
fight, with no weapon but his knife, had fled ingloriously, without
having seen any thing to be frightened at.

"That's one lie nailed," said Frank.

"More than one, I should think," returned Archie, contemptuously. "I
shall have nothing more to do with that fellow. This is the end of my
acquaintance with him."

No doubt Archie was in earnest when he said this; but, had he been able
to look into the future, he would have discovered that he was destined
to have a great deal more to do with Arthur Vane. Instead of being the
end of his acquaintance with