This last circumstance in the end proved her salvation; for the javalies, overtaking her, seized the hanging canvas in their jaws, and pulled it from the pack.

It fell spreading over the grass like a blanket; and the herd, now coming up and mistaking it for their real enemy, commenced stamping upon it with their hoofs, and tearing it with their teeth.

This gave Jeanette time; and she was just the mule at that moment to profit by it.

Lightened of her load, she struck out into a fleet gallop, and soon overtook the horses; and the whole cavalcade now kept on, until they had placed several miles between themselves and the javalies.

Here they halted with the intention of pitching their camps, as their animals were not only wearied, but Jeanette was hardly able to travel at all.