WAKED UP TOO LATE. 405 



to the island grew less. The deer at last saw us, and 

 sprang forward for life. Before he had seemed to be 

 swimming leisurely, as if he knew the hounds were dis- 

 posed of; but here was a new enemy he had not looked 

 for. We were approaching the island at different 

 angles, and for a time it was impossible to tell whether 

 he had a hopeless advantage over us or not, and we 

 worked like beavers. As we rapidly neared the com- 

 mon point, however, it was plain that our struggle had 

 been useless. He reached the shore a long way ahead, 

 and I saw him crawl out of the water and steal softly 

 into the thick cedars that lined the shore. In mere 

 chagrin, I sent a bullet into the bushes where he disap- 

 peared, while John rested on his oars, with the remark, 

 *' 'Twas no use firing." " I know it," I replied ; " but he 

 gave us a hard row, and I thought I would give him a 

 big scare." Soon one of the hounds appeared on the 

 shore, and seeing us out in the lake, gave one long, deep 

 bay, and plunged in. As he swam to the side of the boat, 

 we took him in and turned homeward. Shortly after 

 the boats of our guides were seen like specks in the dis- 

 tance, and being joined on their way down by the hun- 

 ter, followed after. The other dog coming to the lake, 

 seemed to know by instinct that the deer had crossed 



