"The plantation is a large one, and we must be fully a mile from the house, Howard. Let us go along the road a bit, until I make sure that I am right." They continued their way, and soon Estella was convinced that the field was one of their own. A small tool-house was reached, and beyond was a road running directly to the barns. Howard came to a halt. "I must leave you now, Estella," he said. "To go on farther with you now would certainly cause you trouble." "You intend to leave me?" she asked, quickly. "Oh, Howard, do not!" "But I cannot remain. The lieutenant will grow suspicious, and have the place watched, and it is no light matter to harbor an escaped prisoner----" "I will run the risk, Howard. Do not go and leave me absolutely alone in that house." "Your father may have come back----" he went on, still hesitating. "I doubt it," she returned, a sudden sadness coming into her voice. "Poor papa! oh, how I hope that he is still alive! But, come, do not----" Estella abruptly paused, as a deep baying of dogs broke upon their ears. She turned pale and almost sank at Howard's feet. "Bloodhounds!" exclaimed her lover, and instinctively drew his pistol. "Oh, Howard, they have set a pack of bloodhounds on your trail!" cried Estella. "We are lost! They will tear us to pieces!" Scarcely had she spoken when three growling and savage bloodhounds burst from cover down the foot trail, and came running at full speed toward them, their long, white teeth gleaming in the sunshine and the flecks of foam dropping from the corners of their cruel mouths! Howard and Estella clung lovingly to each other, as the bloodhounds advanced upon them with mad leaps. They were in deadly peril, and it seemed as if they were indeed lost! CHAPTER XVI. AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR. It was an exceedingly great peril which had menaced Howard and Estella. The advancement of the three savage bloodhounds was rapid, and both knew only too well that if once the baying beasts got at them, all would quickly be over. The bloodhounds were especially trained to follow human beings, and would not hesitate to rend them limb from limb. Yet in that awful moment the young war correspondent did not think of himself, but only of the beautiful girl at his side. Willingly would he have died a dozen deaths rather than allow her to be touched. His heart went out to her, and he instantly caught her to his breast, as if to thus shield her. The sugar-cane field was on one side of them. On the other were bushes, and farther on, trees of various kinds. Raising Estella in his arms, Howard made a dash for the nearest of the trees. "Never mind me, Howard," murmured the noble girl; "save yourself." "Never, Estella, my love!" he replied. "They shall not touch you if I can possibly prevent it."