94 HILLS AND LAKES. 



me a long distance, when a thought seemed to strike 

 him. He stopped and listened a moment, and then 

 dashed like a race-horse away. Calling did no good : 

 he was ought of sight in a moment, and in less than a 

 minute I lost the sound of his bounds, as he dashed 

 through the woods. I followed in the direction as 

 fast as the darkness would permit. It was some fif- 

 teen minutes, when I again heard him coming at full 

 speed to meet me. He seemed as joyous as before, 

 and after jumping and barking for a moment around 

 me, took his post in front again, and we passed on. 

 After awhile, I called out my little one's name, and, 

 Oh ! it was a sweet and pleasant answer to my heart, 

 that came faintly back, ' father, I am here.' Away 

 bounded Shack again, and you may believe, Squire, 

 that I wasn't long in following him. A few minutes, 

 and my little one was in a happy man's arms, safe 

 from harm, but trembling with the horror of her 

 night in the dark still woods. 



" She had wandered in search of berries, beyond 

 the sight of our clearing, and when she turned to go 

 home, became bewildered and lost in the mazes of the 

 forest. She wandered on until night, and then, in 

 mortal terror, sat down in the darkness to weep, and, 



