136 NOTES OF WARNING. 



the panting as of a blown hound, and the snapping 

 of dried diminutive branches doubtless caused by 

 the progress of large animals through the under- 

 brush. 



' We all know their speed must be infinitely greater 

 than mine, even when on skates, but their advance 

 was doubtless retarded by their selection of the wood, 

 while mine was clear and uninterrupted. Appa- 

 rently the ice was not the footing my pursuers 

 preferred, or possibly they intended heading me off, 

 or springing upon me if they could obtain a sufficient 

 lead, or a suitable position. 



' Thoughts like these passed far more rapidly 

 than words can describe. A few strides more must 

 have brought me to the open ice, when not one, 

 but three, deep prolonged howls echoed through 

 the uninhabited solitude. These resembled that of 

 the foiled but bloodthirsty hound, only differing 

 in power, which was greater, and in a more thorough 

 vindictiveness of tone. 



' These notes of warning acted as a stimulus to 

 renewed exertion, corroborating the impression I 

 had formed as to the foes I had to deal with. Like 

 the tired horse making a last exertion to reach the 

 goal, 1 rushed on with more rapid strides, which ulti- 

 mately bore me out upon the clear uninterrupted 

 bosom of the Penobscot. With my exit into the com- 

 paratively open locality, courage, strength, and per- 

 severance returned ; though the fiends, disappointed 

 of their prey, no longer hesitated to take the ice, 



