Suddenly it made an abrupt turn, and began to form a gigantic V.Evidently the little maid was impelled by desperate terror to reach the protecting canoe.

When she came abreast of it she uttered a second cry, convulsively grasped the edge of the boat, and cast a terrified glance backward.
"Marie!" cried the count, greatly alarmed, seizing the girdle about her waist and lifting her into the canoe.

"What has happened?
Who is following you ?" The child trembled violently; her teeth chattered, and she gasped for breath, unable to speak; only her large eyes were still fixed with an expression of horror on the water.
Ludwig looked searchingly around, but could see nothing.

And yet, after a few seconds, something rose before him.
What was it?
Man or beast?
The head, the face, were head and face of a human being--a man, perhaps.
The cheeks and head were covered with short reddish hair like the fur of an otter.

The long, pointed ears stood upright.