Men seemed to be passing in parties on horseback, and talking anxiously.

From a word which I now and then overheard, I had not a shadow of doubt that they were in search of me.

One I heard say, "I ought to catch such a fellow, the only liberty he should have for one fortnight, would be ten feet of rope." Another I heard say, "I reckon he is in that wood now." Another said, "Who would have thought that rascal was so 'cute ?" All this while the little fice was mingling his voice with those of the horsemen, and the noise of the horses' feet.

I listened and trembled.
Just before the setting of the sun, the labouring man of the house returned, and commenced his evening duties about the house and barn; chopping wood, getting up his cow, feeding his pigs, &c, attended by the little brute, who continued barking at short intervals.

He came several times into the barn below.