The vicinity of the trees was reached none too soon, and raising Estella high over his head, Howard enabled the girl to catch hold of the limbs of a mahogany tree, and lift herself to a safe place. He was about to climb after her when the nearest of the bloodhounds caught him by the foot and dragged him back. A man less quick-witted would have been lost; but as he fell the young war correspondent drew the pistol he had taken from the gipsy. The bloodhound pounced upon his breast, only to receive a bullet in its throat which killed him almost instantly. The two remaining beasts lagged behind, and before they reached the scene of the exciting but short encounter Howard had reached the lower branches of the tree, and was temporarily safe. "Oh, Howard, did that dog bite you?" gasped Estella, as she clung closely to his arm. "No, his teeth did not penetrate the boot, thanks to the thickness of the leather," he replied. "But I am afraid we are in a bad situation now," he went on. "The pistol has but one cartridge left in it, and there are two dogs." "And the prison officers will follow on horseback," moaned Estella. "It will not be long before they arrive." Howard said nothing, but set his teeth hard. He would not give up without a brave struggle for liberty. Taking careful aim at one of the remaining bloodhounds, he fired. The wound did not kill, but it was mortal, and with a whine of pain the savage brute turned tail and slunk away. Seeing this, and noting that the other dog was dead, the third beast hesitated for a moment and then turned and ran back, as if to await the arrival of his masters. "The coast seems clear now," said Howard, when the bloodhound had disappeared. "Come! let me conduct you to your house, and then I will be off." "If that third beast should return----" shuddered Estella. "I have this," said her lover, drawing the dagger. "I will fight him to the last." He assisted Estella to the ground, and the two hurried through the sugar-cane fields until they came in sight of the various out-buildings belonging to the plantation. Presently a horseman rode up to them. It was the faithful Tomasso. "I could not find out anything----" began the servant, when Estella stopped him. "Mr. Sherwood is here," said the beautiful girl. "Tomasso, I wish to trust you still further." "Yes, Doña Estella." "Señor Sherwood is in dire peril. His enemies are hunting him as a rebel spy. Can you not take him to some place of safety in this vicinity?" Tomasso scratched his head and thought for a moment. Cara had told him how dear Howard was to his young mistress. "I can take him to the cane-house, and he might hide in the sweet-potato pit," he answered. She shook her head. "No, that will not do. Do you think----" she hesitated. "Could he not find a place in our house? There are many rooms not in use. He might go in disguised as yourself." "But, Estella----" remonstrated the young war correspondent.