But the concealment was slight, and would not avail them if the animal should pass the trunk and look around after passing.

And now it was making straight for the tree, apparently with the design of ascending it.
At this crisis Henry once more bethought him of running away and taking Helen with him.

He now regretted not having done so sooner.

Even to be lost in the forest would have been a less danger than that which now threatened them.
A glance told him it would be too late.

There was an open space beyond and all around the trunk behind which they had taken shelter.