The bee-hunter had some difficulty in finding his way across the marsh; but floundering through the impediments, and on the whole preserving the main direction, he got out on the firm ground quite as soon as he had expected to do.  It was necessary for him to use extreme caution.  The Indians according to their custom had dogs, two of which had been in sight, lying about half-way between the prisoner and the door of the hut.  Boden had seen a savage feeding these dogs; and it appeared to him at the time as if the Indian had been telling them to be watchful of the Chippewa.  He well knew the services that the red men expected of these animals, which are kept rather as sentinels than for any great use they put them to in the hunts.  An Indian dog is quick enough to give the alarm, and he will keep on a trail for a long run and with considerable accuracy, but it is seldom that he closes and has his share in the death, unless in the case of very timid and powerless creatures.

Nevertheless, the presence of these dogs exacted extra caution in the movements of the bee-hunter.  He had ascended the hill a little out of the stream of light which still issued from the open door of the hut, and was soon high enough to get a good look at the state of things on the bit of level land around the cabin.  Fully one-half of the savages were yet up and in motion; though the processes of cooking and eating were by this time nearly ended.  These men had senses almost as acute as those of their dogs, and it was very necessary to be on his guard against them also.  By moving with the utmost caution, le Bourdon reached the edge of the line of light, where he was within ten yards of the captive.  Here he placed his rifle against a small tree, and drew his knife, in readiness to cut the prisoner’s thongs.  Three several times, while the bee-hunter was making these preparations, did the two dogs raise their heads and scent the air; once, the oldest of the two gave a deep and most ominous growl.  Singular as it may seem, this last indication of giving the alarm was of great service to le Bourdon and the Chippewa.  The latter heard the growl, and saw two of the movements of the animals’ heads, from all which he inferred that there was some creature, or some danger behind him.  This naturally enough induced him to bestow a keen attention in that direction, and being unable to turn body, limbs, or head, the sense of hearing was his only means of watchfulness.  It was while in this state of profound listening that Pigeonswing fancied he heard his own name, in such a whisper as one raises when he wishes to call from a short distance with the least possible expenditure of voice.  Presently the words “Pigeonswing,” and “Chippewa,” were succeeded by those of “bee-hunter,” “Bourdon.”  This was enough:  the quick-witted warrior made a low ejaculation, such as might be mistaken for a half-suppressed murmur that proceeded from pain, but which one keenly on the watch, and who was striving