He followed the circumference of an irregular circle, of wide diameter--in order to keep outside the doublings which Francois had made in his last struggle after the wearied bird, and which had thrown the dog out.

He passed several horse-trails leading various ways.

All these he examined, but none satisfied him.

In this manner he had gone half a mile around the circle, when his eye fell upon some that seemed fresher than the rest.

He sprang forward, stooping over them with, a shout of joy, as he recognised the hoof-prints of Francois' mustang.