248 The IIoDic of the Wolverene and Beaver. 



of the forest, and the young man felt at length that 

 to continue the chase would be useless. 



" At all events, I have driven the scoundrel a 

 good long way from the camp," he muttered ; "and 

 now to return and look after poor Pierre. By Jove, 

 what can that be," he added, as the rattle of iron 

 met his ear, coming from the direction in which the 

 murderer had vanished. 



All thought of retreat was cast aside now, and 

 Paul dashed forward at headlong speed, casting up 

 the drift snow in clouds from the rapid movements 

 of his snow-shoes. At every stride the rattle of 

 the chain became more audible, and as the young 

 man reached the edge of a little open glade on 

 which the moon shed its welcome light, the reason 

 of the noise became apparent. There stood the 

 \lark figure he had chased in vain, but all its airi- 

 ness of motion had departed, for in his hurried 

 flight the murderer had traversed the spot where 

 his victim had planted the wolf-traps, one of which 

 was firmly attached to his leg, whilst the powerful 

 spring of the other had broken the tough frame- 

 work of his snow-shoe. 



As Paul emerged from the forest, the assassin 

 succeeded in freeing his leg, but on a single snow- 

 shoe escape was hopeless ; so, slipping his foot out 

 of the remaining one, he stood upon his guard, and 



