Meanwhile, on going out to milk, Tom's father had had the curiosity to visit the scene of our adventure.

A trail of blood spots leading from the knoll into the woods convinced him that we had really damaged the prowler; and picking up the axe that I had dropped, he followed the trail.

Large red stains at intervals showed that the animal had stopped frequently to grovel on the snow.

About half a mile from the knoll, Mr.Edwards came upon the beast, in a fir thicket, making distressful sounds, and quite helpless to defend itself.

A blow on the head from the poll of the axe finished the creature; and, taking it by the tail, Mr.Edwards dragged it to the house.