228 THE CHASE IN THE LAKE. 







cry of his pursuers followed him like his destiny. Thus far 

 every effort to escape by taking to the water had failed, and 

 he seemed to think, as Martin expressed it, that " day was 

 breaking." He essayed it again on the land side, and was 

 driven back by us, and thus he coursed three times round 

 the island, until, in desperation, he plunged into the broad 

 lake and struck boldly out for the opposite shore, three 

 quarters of a mile distant. Spalding shouted to us, and 

 when we rounded the headland, we saw that he and Wood 

 had headed, and were driving him towards a small island, 

 of less than half an acre, covered only with low bushes, half 

 a mile down the lake. We did not propose to harm him, 

 but we intended to drive him upon that little island, and by 

 surrounding it, keep him there for a while by way of experi- 

 menting upon his fears, or rather as Martin said, " to see 

 what he would do." As he approached the shore, he bound- 

 ed upon the island, and tossing his head from side to side, 

 as if looking for a place of concealment or escape. Finding 

 none, he dashed across to the opposite side and plunged 

 into the lake. He was met by the Doctor and Smith, and 

 turned back. He rushed in another direction, across the 

 island, to be headed by the boat in which I was seated, and 

 again in another direction to be headed by Spalding. Thus 

 met and driven back at every turn, he at last stationed him- 

 self on a high knoll, near the centre of the island, apparently 

 expecting that the last struggle for life was to be made 

 there. We rested upon our oars, making no noise, and 

 watching his movements. The bushes were low, coining 



