This last thought, by some strange fancy, had taken possession of me, and I here frankly acknowledge that I believed it would happen.

Why I believed it, God only knows.

My excitement was so great, indeed, that I almost lost sight of our danger, and felt like shouting to the dogs myself, while I came near losing my hold on the tree in which I was hidden.

By chance I happened to look around at my nearest neighbor in distress.

His expression was sufficient to quell any enthusiasm I might have had, and I, too, became despondent.