I called to them, but they did not look up, but came yelling on.

I was just about to spring into the tree to avoid them when Venus the old hound met them, and stopped them.

They then all came fawning and playing and jumping about me.

The very creatures whom a moment before I had feared would tear me limb from limb, were now leaping and licking my hands, and rolling on the leaves around me.

I listened awhile in the fear of hearing the voices of men following the dogs, but there was no sound in the forest save the gurgling of the sluggish waters of the creek, and the chirp of black squirrels in the trees.