The furious barking of several dogs became suddenly audible in the centre of the forest; the bushes were parted eagerly, and a Negro appeared on the top of the rock, at which the Canadian was at this moment looking. This man, on reaching the extremity of the rock, stopped for an instant, and seemed to listen attentively, while displaying signs of the most extreme agitation. But this halt was short, for he had hardly rested there for a few seconds, ere, raising his eyes to heaven in despair, he leaped into the river, and swam vigorously to the opposite bank. The sound of the Negro's fall into the water had hardly died away, when several dogs dashed on to the platform, and began a concert of horrible barking. These dogs were powerful animals; their tongues were pendant, their eyes infested with blood, and their hair standing on end, as if they had come a long distance. The hunter shook his head several times while giving a glance of pity at the hapless Negro, who was swimming with that energy of despair which doubles the strength--and seizing his paddles, he turned the canoe toward him, with the evident intention of rendering him assistance. At this moment a hoarse voice was heard on the river-bank. "Hilloh, there! silence, you demons incarnate! silence, I tell you!" The dogs gave vent to a few whines of pain, and were suddenly silent. The individual who had reproved the animals then said, in a louder key-- "Hilloh, you fellow in the canoe there!--hilloh!" The Canadian had just pulled to the opposite bank; he ran his canoe on the sand, and then carelessly turned to the person who addressed him. This was a man of middle height, muscular, and dressed like the majority of rich farmers. His face was brutal, crafty, and four persons, apparently servants, stood by his side; it is needless to say that all were armed with guns. The stream at this spot was rather wide, being about fifty yards, which, temporarily, at any rate, established a respectable barrier between the Negro and his pursuers. The Canadian leaned against a tree. "Are you by chance speaking to me?" he asked, in a somewhat contemptuous tone. "Who else do you suppose?" the first speaker continued, angrily: "so try and answer my questions!" "And why should I answer them? Will you be good enough to tell me?" the Canadian continued, with a laugh. "Because I order you to do so, you scoundrel!" the other said, brutally. The hunter shrugged his shoulders disdainfully. "Good-bye," he said, and made a movement as if to retire. "Stop where you are!" the American shouted, "or so truly as my name is John Davis I will put a bullet through your skull!" While uttering the threat he levelled his gun. "Ah! ah!" the Canadian went on, with a laugh, "then you're John Davis, the famous slave-dealer?" "Yes, I am," the other said, harshly. "Pardon me; but I had hitherto only known you by reputation. By Jove! I am delighted to have seen you."