Therewasstilllightintheroom，forwhenhefirstgraspedherwithbothhishands，hehadputthelampdownonasmalltable。Nowtheywererollingonthefloortogether，andtwicehehadessayedtokneelonherthathemightthuscrushthebreathfromherbody，anddepriveheraltogetherofherstrength；butshehadbeentooactiveforhim，movingherselfalongtheground，thoughindoingsoshedraggedhimwithher。Butbydegreeshegotonehandatliberty，andwiththathepulledaclaspknifeoutofhispocketandopenedit。"Iwillcutyourheadoffifyoudonotletgomyhair，"hesaid。Butstillsheheldfastbyhim。Hethenstabbedatherarm，usinghislefthandandmakingshort，ineffectualblows。Herdresspartlysavedher，andpartlyalsothecontinualmovementofallherlimbs；but，nevertheless，theknifewoundedher。Itwoundedherinseveralplacesaboutthearm，coveringthembothwithblood；——butstillshehungon。Soclosewashergraspinheragony，that，assheafterwardsfound，shecuttheskinofherownhandswithherownnails。Hadtheman’shairbeenlessthickorstrong，orherowntenacitylesssteadfast，hewouldhavemurderedherbeforeanyinterruptioncouldhavesavedher。
Andyethehadnotpurposedtomurderher，oreven，inthefirstinstance，toinflictonheranybodilyharm。Buthehadbeendeterminedtogetmoney。Withsuchasumofmoneyashehadnamed，itmight，hethought，bepossibleforhimtowinhiswayacrosstoAmerica。Hemightbribementohidehimintheholdofaship，andthustheremightbeforhim，atanyrate，apossibilityofescape。
Thattheremustbemoneyinthehousehehadstillthoughtwhenfirsthelaidhandsonthepoorwoman；andthen，whenthestrugglehadoncebegun，whenhehadfelthermusclescontendingwithhis，thepassionofthebeastwasarousedwithinhim，andhestroveagainstherashewouldhavestrivenagainstadog。Butyet，whentheknifewasinhishand，hehadnotdrivenitagainstherheart。
Thensuddenly，whiletheywereyetrollingonthefloor，therewasasoundoffootstepsinthepassage。AaronTrowinstantlyleapedtohisfeet，leavinghisvictimontheground，withhugelumpsofhisthickclottedhairinherhand。Thus，andthusonly，couldhehaveliberatedhimselffromhergrasp。Herushedatthedoor，andtherehecameagainstthetwonegroservant—girlswhohadreturneddowntotheirkitchenfromtheroadonwhichtheyhadbeenstraying。Trow，ashehalfsawtheminthedark，notknowinghowmanytheremightbe，orwhethertherewasamanamongthem，rushedthroughthem，upsettingonescaredgirlinhispassage。Withtheinstinctandwiththetimidityofabeast，hisimpulsenowwastoescape，andhehurriedawaybacktotheroadandtohislair，leavingthethreewomentogetherinthecottage。Poorwretch！Ashecrossedtheroad，notskulkinginhisimpotenthaste，butrunningathisbest，anotherpairofeyessawhim，andwhenthesearchbecamehotafterhim，itwasknownthathishiding—placewasnotdistant。
Itwassometimebeforeanyofthewomenwereabletoact，andwhensomestepwastaken，Anastasiawasthefirsttotakeit。Shehadnotabsolutelyswooned，butthereaction，aftertheviolenceofherefforts，wassogreat，thatforsomeminutesshehadbeenunabletospeak。ShehadrisenfromthefloorwhenTrowlefther，andhadevenfollowedhimtothedoor；butsincethatshehadfallenbackintoherfather’soldarm—chair，andtheresatgaspingnotonlyforwords，butforbreathalso。
AtlastshebadeoneofthegirlstorunintoSt。George，andbegMr。Mortontocometoheraid。Thegirlwouldnotstirwithouthercompanion；andeventhen，Anastasia，coveredasshewaswithblood，withdishevelledhair，andherclotheshalftornfromherbody，accompaniedthemasfarastheroad。Theretheyfoundanegroladstillhangingabouttheplace，andhetoldthemthathehadseenthemancrosstheroad，andrundownovertheopengroundtowardstherocksofthesea—coast。"Hemustbethere，"saidthelad，pointinginthedirectionofacorneroftherocks；"unlessheswimacrossthemouthoftheferry。"Butthemouthofthatferryisanarmofthesea，anditwasnotprobablethatamanwoulddothatwhenhemighthavetakenthenarrowwaterbykeepingontheothersideoftheroad。
AtaboutonethatnightCalebMortonreachedthecottagebreathlesswithrunning，andbeforeawordwasspokenbetweenthem，Anastasiahadfallenonhisshoulderandhadfainted。Assoonasshewasinthearmsofherlover，allherpowerhadgonefromher。Thespiritandpassionofthetigerhadgone，andshewasagainaweakwomanshudderingatthethoughtofwhatshehadsuffered。Sherememberedthatshehadhadtheman’shandbetweenherteeth，andbydegreesshefoundhishairstillclingingtoherfingers；buteventhenshecouldhardlycalltomindthenatureofthestruggleshehadundergone。Hishotbreathclosetoherowncheekshedidremember，andhisglaringeyes，andeventheroughnessofhisbeardashepressedhisfaceagainstherown；butshecouldnotsaywhencehadcometheblood，nortillherarmbecamestiffandmotionlessdidsheknowthatshehadbeenwounded。
Itwasalljoywithhernow，asshesatmotionlesswithoutspeaking，whileheadministeredtoherwantsandspokewordsofloveintoherears。Sherememberedtheman’shorridthreat，andknewthatbyGod’smercyshehadbeensaved。Andhewastherecaressingher，lovingher，comfortingher！Asshethoughtofthefatethathadthreatenedher，oftheevilthathadbeensoimminent，shefellforwardonherknees，andwithincoherentsobsutteredherthanksgivings，whileherheadwasstillsupportedonhisarms。
Itwasalmostmorningbeforeshecouldinduceherselftoleavehimandliedown。Withhimsheseemedtobesoperfectlysafe；butthemomenthewasawayshecouldseeAaronTrow’seyesgleamingatheracrosstheroom。Atlast，however，sheslept；andwhenhesawthatshewasatrest，hetoldhimselfthathisworkmustthenbegin。
HithertoCalebMortonhadlivedinallrespectsthelifeofamanofpeace；butnow，askinghimselfnoquestionsastotheproprietyofwhathewoulddo，usingnoinwardargumentsastothisorthatlineofconduct，hegirdedtheswordonhisloins，andpreparedhimselfforwar。Thewretchwhohadthustreatedthewomanwhomhelovedshouldbehunteddownlikeawildbeast，aslongashehadarmsandlegswithwhichtocarryonthehunt。Hewouldpursuethemiscreantwithanyweaponsthatmightcometohishands；andmightHeavenhelphimathisneedashedealtforthpunishmenttothatman，ifhecaughthimwithinhisgrasp。ThosewhohadhithertoknownMortonintheisland，couldnotrecognisethemanashecameforthonthatday，thirstyafterblood，anddesiroustothrusthimselfintopersonalconflictwiththewildruffianwhohadinjuredhim。ThemeekPresbyterianministerhadbeenapreacher，preachingwaysofpeace，andlivinginaccordancewithhisowndoctrines。Theworldhadbeenveryquietforhim，andhehadwalkedquietlyinhisappointedpath。Butnowtheworldwasquietnolonger，norwasthereanypreachingofpeace。Hiscrywasforblood；forthebloodoftheuntamedsavagebrutewhohadcomeuponhisyoungdoeinhersolitude，andstrivenwithsuchbrutalviolencetotearherheartfromherbosom。
HegottohisassistanceearlyinthemorningsomeoftheconstablesfromSt。George，andbeforethedaywasover，hewasjoinedbytwoorthreeofthewardersfromtheconvictestablishment。Therewaswithhimalsoafriendortwo，andthusapartywasformed，numberingtogethertenortwelvepersons。Theywereofcourseallarmed，andthereforeitmightbethoughtthattherewouldbebutsmallchanceforthewretchedmaniftheyshouldcomeuponhistrack。Atfirsttheyallsearchedtogether，thinkingfromthetidingswhichhadreachedthemthathemustbeneartothem；butgraduallytheyspreadthemselvesalongtherocksbetweenSt。Georgeandtheferry，keepingwatchmanontheroad，sothatheshouldnotescapeunnoticedintotheisland。
TentimesduringthedaydidAnastasiasendfromthecottageuptoMorton，begginghimtoleavethesearchtoothers，andcomedowntoher。Butnotforamomentwouldhelosethescentofhisprey。
What！shoulditbesaidthatshehadbeensotreated，andthatothershadavengedher？Hesentbacktosaythatherfatherwaswithhernow，andthathewouldcomewhenhisworkwasover。Andinthatjobofworkthelife—bloodofAaronTrowwascountedup。
Towardseveningtheywereallcongregatedontheroadneartothespotatwhichthepathturnsofftowardsthecottage，whenavoicewasheardhallooingtothemfromthesummitofalittlehillwhichliesbetweentheroadandtheseaonthesidetowardstheferry，andpresentlyaboycamerunningdowntothemfullofnews。"DannyLundhasseenhim，"saidtheboy，"hehasseenhimplainlyinamongtherocks。"AndthencameDannyLundhimself，asmallnegroladaboutfourteenyearsofage，whowasknowninthosepartsastheidlest，mostdishonest，andmostuselessofhisrace。Onthisoccasion，however，DannyLundbecameimportant，andeveryonelistenedtohim。
Hehadseen，hesaid，apairofeyesmovingdowninacaveoftherockswhichhewellknew。Hehadbeeninthecaveoften，hesaid，andcouldgetthereagain。Butnotnow；notwhilethatpairofeyeswasmovingatthebottomofit。Andsotheyallwentupoverthehill，Mortonleadingthewaywithhothaste。Inhiswaist—bandheheldapistol，andhishandgraspedashortironbarwithwhichhehadarmedhimself。Theyascendedthetopofthehill，andwhenthere，theopenseawasbeforethemontwosides，andonthethirdwasthenarrowcreekoverwhichtheferrypassed。Immediatelybeneaththeirfeetwerethebrokenrocks；foronthatside，towardsthesea，theearthandgrassofthehilldescendedbutalittlewaytowardsthewater。Downamongtherockstheyallwent，silently，CalebMortonleadingtheway，andDannyLunddirectinghimfrombehind。
"Mr。Morton，"saidanelderlymanfromSt。George，"hadyounotbetterletthewardersofthegaolgofirst；heisadesperateman，andtheywillbestunderstandhisways？"
InanswertothisMortonsaidnothing，buthewouldletnooneputafootbeforehim。Hestillpressedforwardamongtherocks，andatlastcametoaspotfromwhencehemighthavesprungatoneleapintotheocean。Itwasabrokencrannyonthesea—shoreintowhichtheseabeat，andsurroundedoneverysidebuttheonebyhugebrokenfragmentsofstone，whichatfirstsightseemedasthoughtheywouldhaveadmittedofapathdownamongthemtothewater’sedge；butwhich，whenscannedmoreclosely，wereseentobesolargeinsize，thatnomancouldclimbfromonetoanother。Itwasasingularlyromanticspot，butnowwellknowntothemallthere，fortheyhadvisiteditoverandoveragainthatmorning。
"Inthere，"saidDannyLund，keepingwellbehindMorton’sbody，andpointingatthesametimetoacavernhighupamongtherocks，butquiteontheoppositesideofthelittleinletofthesea。Themouthofthecavernwasnottwentyyardsfromwheretheystood，butatthefirstsightitseemedasthoughitmustbeimpossibletoreachit。Theprecipiceonthebrinkofwhichtheyallnowstood，randownsheerintothesea，andthefallfromthemouthofthecavernontheothersidewasassteep。ButDannysolvedthemysterybypointingupwards，andshowingthemhowhehadbeenusedtoclimbtoaprojectingrockovertheirheads，andfromthencecreeproundbycertainvantagesofthestonetillhewasabletolethimselfdownintotheaperture。Butnow，atthepresentmoment，hewasunwillingtomakeessayofhisprowessasacragsman。Hehad，hesaid，beenuponthatprojectingrockthrice，andtherehadseentheeyesmovinginthecavern。Hewasquitesureofthatfactofthepairofeyes，anddeclinedtoascendtherockagain。
Tracessoonbecamevisibletothembywhichtheyknewthatsomeonehadpassedinandoutofthecavernrecently。Thestone，whenexamined，borethosemarksoffrictionwhichpassageandrepassageoveritwillalwaysgive。Atthespotfromwhencetheclimberlefttheplatformandcommencedhisascent，thesideofthestonehadbeenrubbedbytheclosefrictionofaman’sbody。AlightboylikeDannyLundmightfindhiswayinandoutwithoutleavingsuchmarksbehindhim，butnoheavymancoulddoso。ThusbeforelongtheyallweresatisfiedthatAaronTrowwasinthecavernbeforethem。
Thentherewasalongconsultationastowhattheywoulddotocarryonthehunt，andhowtheywoulddrivethetigerfromhislair。Thatheshouldnotagaincomeout，excepttofallintotheirhands，wastoallofthemamatterofcourse。Theywouldkeepwatchandwardthere，thoughitmightbefordaysandnights。ButthatwasaprocesswhichdidnotsatisfyMorton，anddidnotindeedwellsatisfyanyofthem。Itwasnotonlythattheydesiredtoinflictpunishmentonthemiscreantinaccordancewiththelaw，butalsothattheydidnotdesirethatthemiserablemanshoulddieinaholelikeastarveddog，andthatthentheyshouldgoafterhimtotakeouthiswretchedskeleton。Therewassomethinginthatideasohorridineveryway，thatallagreedthatactivestepsmustbetaken。Thewardersoftheprisonfeltthattheywouldallbedisgracediftheycouldnottaketheirprisoneralive。Yetwhowouldgetroundthatperilousledgeinthefaceofsuchanadversary？Atouchtoanymanwhileclimbingtherewouldsendhimheadlongdownamongthewave！Andthenhisfancytoldtoeachwhatmightbethenatureofanembracewithsuchananimalasthat，driventodespair，hopelessoflife，armed，astheyknew，atanyrate，withaknife！Ifthefirstadventurousspiritshouldsucceedincrawlingroundthatledge，whatwouldbethereceptionwhichhemightexpectintheterribledepthofthatcavern？
Theycalledtotheirprisoner，biddinghimcomeout，andtellinghimthattheywouldfireinuponhimifhedidnotshowhimself；butnotasoundwasheard。Itwasindeedpossiblethattheyshouldsendtheirbulletsto，perhaps，everycornerofthecavern；andifso，inthatwaytheymightslaughterhim；butevenofthistheywerenotsure。Whocouldtellthattheremightnotbesomeprotectednookinwhichhecouldlaysecure？Andwhocouldtellwhenthemanwasstruck，orwhetherhewerewounded？
"Iwillgettohim，"saidMorton，speakingwithalowdoggedvoice，andsosayingheclambereduptotherocktowhichDannyLundhadpointed。Manyvoicesatonceattemptedtorestrainhim，andoneortwoputtheirhandsuponhimtokeephimback，buthewastooquickforthem，andnowstoodupontheledgeofrock。"Canyouseehim？"
theyaskedbelow。
"Icanseenothingwithinthecavern，"saidMorton。
"Lookdownveryhard，Massa，"saidDanny，"veryhardindeed，downindeepdarkhole，andthenseehimbigeyesmoving！"
Mortonnowcreptalongtheledge，orratherhewasbeginningtodoso，havingputforwardhisshouldersandarmstomakeafirststepinadvancefromthespotonwhichhewasresting，whenahandwasputforthfromonecornerofthecavern’smouth，——ahandarmedwithapistol；——andashotwasfired。TherecouldbenodoubtnowbutthatDannyLundwasright，andnodoubtnowastothewhereaboutsofAaronTrow。
Ahandwasputforth，apistolwasfired，andCalebMortonstillclingingtoacorneroftherockwithbothhisarmswasseentofalter。"Heiswounded，"saidoneofthevoicesfrombelow；andthentheyallexpectedtoseehimfallintothesea。Buthedidnotfall，andafteramomentortwo，heproceededcarefullytopickhisstepsalongtheledge。Theballhadtouchedhim，grazinghischeek，andcuttingthroughthelightwhiskersthathewore；buthehadnotfeltit，thoughtheblowhadnearlyknockedhimfromhisperch。Andthenfourorfiveshotswerefiredfromtherocksintothemouthofthecavern。Theman’sarmhadbeenseen，andindeedoneortwodeclaredthattheyhadtracedthedimoutlineofhisfigure。Butnosoundwasheardtocomefromthecavern，exceptthesharpcrackofthebulletsagainsttherock，andtheechoofthegunpowder。Therehadbeennogroanasofamanwounded，nosoundofabodyfalling，novoicewailingindespair。Forafewsecondsallwasdarkwiththesmokeofthegunpowder，andthentheemptymouthofthecavewasagainyawningbeforetheireyes。Mortonwasnownearit，stillcautiouslycreeping。Thefirstdangertowhichhewasexposedwasthis；thathisenemywithintherecessmightpushhimdownfromtherockswithatouch。Butontheotherhand，therewerethreeorfourmenreadytofire，themomentthatahandshouldbeputforth；andthenMortoncouldswim，——wasknowntobeastrongswimmer；——whereasofAaronTrowitwasalreadydeclaredbytheprisongaolersthathecouldnotswim。TwoofthewardershadnowfollowedMortonontherocks，sothatintheeventofhismakinggoodhisentranceintothecavern，andholdinghisenemyatbayforaminute，hewouldbejoinedbyaid。
Itwasstrangetoseehowthosedifferentmenconductedthemselvesastheystoodontheoppositeplatformwatchingtheattack。Theofficersfromtheprisonhadnootherthoughtbutoftheirprisoner，andwereintentontakinghimaliveordead。TothemitwaslittleornothingwhatbecameofMorton。Itwastheirbusinesstoencounterperil，andtheywerereadytodoso；——feeling，however，bynomeanssorrytohavesuchamanasMortoninadvanceofthem。
Verylittlewassaidbythem。Theyhadtheirwitsaboutthem，andrememberedthateverywordspokenfortheguidanceoftheirallywouldbeheardalsobytheescapedconvict。Theirpreywassure，soonerorlater，andhadnotMortonbeensoeagerinhispursuit，theywouldhavewaitedtillsomeplanhadbeendevisedoftrappinghimwithoutdanger。ButthetownsmenfromSt。George，ofwhomsomedozenwerenowstandingthere，werequickandeagerandloudintheircounsels。"Staywhereyouare，Mr。Morton，——stayawhilefortheloveofGod——orhe’llhaveyoudown。""Now’syourtime，Caleb；
inonhimnow，andyou’llhavehim。""Closewithhim，Morton，closewithhimatonce；it’syouronlychance。""There’sfourofushere；
we’llfireonhimifheasmuchasshowsalimb。"Allofwhichwordsastheywereheardbythatpoorwretchwithin，musthavesoundedtohimasthebarkingofapackofhoundsthirstingforhisblood。Forhimatanyratetherewasnolongeranyhopeinthisworld。
Myreader，whenchancehastakenyouintothehunting—field，hasiteverbeenyourlottositbyonhorseback，andwatchthediggingoutofafox？Theoperationisnotanuncommonone，andinsomecountriesitisheldtobeinaccordancewiththerulesoffairsport。Formyself，Ithinkthatwhenthebrutehassofarsavedhimself，heshouldbeentitledtothebenefitofhiscunning；butI
willnotnowdiscusstheproprietyorimproprietyofthatpracticeinvenery。Icannever，however，watchthedoingofthatworkwithoutthinkingmuchoftheagonisingstrugglesofthepoorbeastwhoselastrefugeisbeingtornfromoverhishead。Therehelieswithinafewyardsofhisarchenemy，thehuntsman。Thethickbreathofthehoundsmakehottheairwithinhishole。Thesoundoftheirvoicesiscloseuponhisears。Hisbreastisnearlyburstingwiththeviolenceofthateffortwhichatlasthasbroughthimtohisretreat。Andthenpickaxeandmattockarepliedabovehishead，andnearerandmoreneartohimpresshisfoes，——hisdoublefoes，humanandcanine，——tillatlastahugehandgraspshim，andheisdraggedforthamonghisenemies。Almostassoonashiseyeshaveseenthelighttheeagernosesofadozenhoundshavemoistenedthemselvesinhisentrails。Ahme！Iknowthatheisvermin，theverminafterwhomIhavebeenriskingmyneck，withaboldambitionthatImightultimatelywitnesshisdeath—struggles；but，nevertheless，Iwouldfainhavesavedhimthatlasthalfhourofgraduallydiminishedhope。
AndAaronTrowwasnowlikeahuntedfox，doomedtobedugoutfromhislastrefuge，withthisadditiontohismisery，thatthesehoundswhentheycaughttheirprey，wouldnotputhimatonceoutofhismisery。Whenfirsthesawthatthrongofmencomingdownfromthehilltopandrestingontheplatform；heknewthathisfatewascome。Whentheycalledtohimtosurrenderhimselfhewassilent，butheknewthathissilencewasofnoavail。Tothemwhoweresoeagertobehiscaptorsthematterseemedtobestilloneofconsiderabledifficulty；but，tohisthinking，therewasnodifficulty。Thereweretheresomescoreofmen，fullyarmed，withintwentyyardsofhim。Ifhebutshowedatraceofhislimbshewouldbecomeamarkfortheirbullets。Andthenifhewerewounded，andnoonewouldcometohim！Iftheyallowedhimtolietherewithoutfoodtillheperished！Woulditnotbewellforhimtoyieldhimself？Thentheycalledagainandhewasstillsilent。Thatideaofyieldingisveryterribletotheheartofaman。Andwhentheworsthadcometotheworst，didnottheoceanrundeepbeneathhiscavern’smonth？
Butastheyyelledathimandhallooed，makingtheirpreparationsforhisdeath，hispresenceofminddesertedthepoorwretch。Hehadstolenanoldpistolononeofhismaraudingexpeditions，ofwhichonebarrelhadbeenloaded。Thatinhismaddespairhehadfired；andnow，ashelaynearthemouthofthecavern，underthecoveroftheprojectingstone，hehadnoweaponwithhimbuthishands。Hehadhadaknife，butthathaddroppedfromhimduringthestruggleonthefloorofthecottage。Hehadnownothingbuthishands，andwasconsideringhowhemightbestusetheminriddinghimselfofthefirstofhispursuers。Themanwasnearhim，armed，withallthepowerandmajestyofrightonhisside；whereasonhisside，AaronTrowhadnothing，——notahope。Heraisedhisheadthathemightlookforth，andadozenvoicesshoutedashisfaceappearedabovetheaperture。Adozenweaponswerelevelledathim，andhecouldseethegleamingofthemuzzlesoftheguns。Andthenthefootofhispursuerwasalreadyonthecornerstoneatthecavern’smouth。"Now，Caleb，onhimatonce！"shoutedavoice。Ahme！itwasamomentinwhichtopityevensuchamanasAaronTrow。
"Now，Caleb，athimatonce！"shoutedthevoice。No，byheavens；
notso，evenyet！Thesoundoftriumphinthosewordsraisedthelastburstofenergyinthebreastofthatwretchedman；andhesprangforth，headforemost，fromhisprisonhouse。Forthhecame，manifestenoughbeforetheeyesofthemall，andwithheadwelldown，andhandsoutstretched，butwithhiswideglaringeyesstillturnedtowardshispursuersashefell，heplungeddownintothewavesbeneathhim。Twoofthosewhostoodby，almostunconsciousofwhattheydid，firedathisbodyasitmadeitsrapidwaytothewater；but，astheyafterwardsfound，neitherofthebulletsstruckhim。Morton，whenhispreythusleapedforth，escapinghimforawhile，wasalreadyonthevergeofthecavern，——hadeventhenpreparedhisfootforthatonwardspringwhichshouldbringhimtothethroatofhisfoe。Buthearrestedhimself，andforamomentstoodtherewatchingthebodyasitstruckthewater，andhiditselfatoncebeneaththeripple。Hestoodthereforamomentwatchingthedeedanditseffect，andthenleavinghisholdupontherock，heonceagainfollowedhisquarry。Downhewent，headforemost，rightontothetrackinthewaveswhichtheotherhadmade；andwhenthetworosetothesurfacetogether，eachwasstrugglinginthegraspoftheother。
Itwasafoolish，nay，amaddeedtodo。Thepoorwretchwhohadfirstfallencouldnothaveescaped。Hecouldnotevenswim，andhadthereforeflunghimselftocertaindestructionwhenhetookthatleapfromoutofthecavern’smouth。Itwouldhavebeensadtoseehimperishbeneaththewaves，——towatchhimasherose，gaspingforbreath，andthentoseetohimsinkingagain，toriseagain，andthentogoforever。Buthislifehadbeenfairlyforfeit，——andwhyshouldonesomuchmoreprecioushavebeenflungafterit？ItwassurelywithnoviewofsavingthatpitifullifethatCalebMortonhadleapedafterhisenemy。Butthehound，hotwiththechase，willfollowthestagovertheprecipiceanddashhimselftopiecesagainsttherocks。Thebeastthirstingforbloodwillrushinevenamongtheweaponsofmen。Mortoninhisfuryhadfeltbutonedesire，burnedwithbutonepassion。IftheFateswouldbutgranthimtofixhisclutchesinthethroatofthemanwhohadill—usedhislove；fortherestitmightallgoasitwould。
Intheearlierpartofthemorning，whiletheywereallsearchingfortheirvictim，theyhadbroughtaboatupintothisveryinletamongtherocks；andthesameboathadbeenathandduringthewholeday。Unluckily，beforetheyhadcomehither，ithadbeentakenroundtheheadlandtoaplaceamongtherocksatwhichagovernmentskiffisalwaysmoored。Theseawasstillsoquietthattherewashardlyarippleonit，andtheboathadbeenagainsentforwhenfirstitwassupposedthattheyhadatlasttracedAaronTrowtohishiding—place。Anxiouslynowwerealleyesturnedtotheheadland，butasyetnoboatwasthere。
Thetwomenrosetothesurface，eachstrugglinginthearmsoftheother。Trow，thoughhewasinanelementtowhichhewasnotused，thoughhehadsprungthitherasanothersuicidemightspringtocertaindeathbeneatharailwayengine，didnotaltogetherlosehispresenceofmind。Promptedbyadoubleinstinct，hehadclutchedholdofMorton’sbodywhenheencountereditbeneaththewaters。Heheldontoit，astohisonlyprotection，andheheldontohimalsoastohisonlyenemy。Iftherewasachanceforalifestruggle，theywouldsharethatchancetogether；andifnot，thentogetherwouldtheymeetthatotherfate。
CalebMortonwasaverystrongman，andthoughoneofhisarmswasaltogetherencumberedbyhisantagonist，hisotherarmandhislegswerefree。Withtheseheseemedtosucceedinkeepinghisheadabovethewater，weightedashewaswiththebodyofhisfoe。ButTrow’seffortswerealsousedwiththeviewofkeepinghimselfabovethewater。Thoughhehadpurposedtodestroyhimselfintakingthatleap，andnowhopedfornothingbetterthanthattheymightbothperishtogether，heyetstruggledtokeephisheadabovethewaves。
Bodilypowerhehadnonelefttohim，exceptthatofholdingontoMorton’sarmandplungingwithhislegs；buthedidholdon，andthusboththeirheadsremainedabovethesurface。
Butthiscouldnotlastlong。ItwaseasytoseethatTrow’sstrengthwasnearlyspent，andthatwhenhewentdownMortonmustgowithhim。Ifindeedtheycouldbeseparated，——ifMortoncouldoncemakehimselffreefromthatembraceintowhichhehadbeensoanxioustoleap，——thenindeedtheremightbeahope。Allroundthatlittleinlettherockfellsheerdownintothedeepsea，sothattherewasnoresting—placeforafoot；itbutroundtheheadlandsoneitherside，evenwithinfortyorfiftyyardsofthatspot，Mortonmightrestontherocks，tillaboatshouldcometohisassistance。
Tohimthatdistancewouldhavebeennothing，ifonlyhislimbshadbeenatliberty。
Upontheplatformofrockstheywereallattheirwits’ends。ManywereanxioustofireatTrow；buteveniftheyhithim，wouldMorton’spositionhavebeenbetter？Wouldnotthewoundedmanhavestillclungtohimwhowasnotwounded？Andthentherecouldbenocertaintythatanyoneofthemwouldhittherightman。Therippleofthewaves，thoughitwasveryslight，neverthelesssufficedtokeepthebodiesinmotion；andthen，too，therewasnotamongthemanymarksmanpeculiarforhisskill。
Morton’seffortsinthewaterweretooseveretoadmitofhisspeaking，buthecouldhearandunderstandthewordswhichwereaddressedtohim。"Shakehimoff，Caleb。""Strikehimfromyouwithyourfoot。""Swimtotherightshore；swimforit，evenifyoutakehimwithyou。"Yes；hecouldhearthemall；buthearingandobeyingwereverydifferent。Itwasnoteasytoshakeoffthatdyingman；andasforswimmingwithhim，thatwasclearlyimpossible。Itwasasmuchashecoulddotokeephisheadabovewater，letaloneanyattempttomoveinonesettleddirection。
Forsomefourorfiveminutestheylaythusbattlingonthewavesbeforetheheadofeitherofthemwentdown。Trowhadbeentwicebelowthesurface，butitwasbeforehehadsucceededinsupportinghimselfbyMorton’sarm。Nowitseemedasthoughhemustsinkagain，——asthoughbothmustsink。Hismouthwasbarelykeptabovethewater，andasMortonshookhimwithhisarm，thetidewouldpassoverhim。Itwashorridtowatchfromtheshoretheglaringupturnedeyesofthedyingwretch，ashislongstreaminghairlaybackuponthewave。"Now，Caleb，holdhimdown。Holdhimunder，"
wasshoutedinthevoiceofsomeeagerfriend。Risinguponthewater，Mortonmadealastefforttodoashewasbid。Hedidpresstheman’sheaddown，——welldownbelowthesurface，——butstillthehandclungtohim，andashestruckoutagainstthewater，hewaspowerlessagainstthatgrasp。
Thentherecamealoudshoutalongtheshore，andallthoseontheplatform，whoseeyeshadbeenfixedsocloselyonthatterriblestrugglebeneaththem，rushedtowardstherocksontheothercoast。
Thesoundofoarswasheardclosetothem，——aneagerpressingstroke，asofmenwhoknewwellthattheywererowingforthesalvationofalife。Ontheycame，closeundertherocks，obeyingwitheverymuscleoftheirbodiesthebehestsofthosewhocalledtothemfromtheshore。Theboatcamewithsuchrapidity，——wassorecklesslyurged，thatitwasdrivensomewhatbeyondtheinlet；butinpassing，ablowwasstruckwhichmadeCalebMortononcemorethemasterofhisownlife。Thetwomenhadbeencarriedoutintheirstruggletowardstheopensea；andastheboatcurvedin，soastobeascloseastherockswouldallow，thebodiesofthemenwerebroughtwithinthesweepoftheoars。Heinthebow——fortherewerefourpullingintheboat——hadraisedhisoarashenearedtherocks，——hadraisedithighabovethewater；andnow，astheypassedclosebythestrugglingmen，heletitfallwithallitsforceontheupturnedfaceofthewretchedconvict。Itwasaterrible，frightfulthingtodo，——thusstrikingonewhowassostricken；butwhoshallsaythattheblowwasnotgoodandjust？Methinks，however，thattheeyesandfaceofthatdyingmanwillhauntforeverthedreamsofhimwhocarriedthatoar！
Trowneverroseagaintothesurface。Threedaysafterwardshisbodywasfoundattheferry，andthentheycarriedhimtotheconvictislandandburiedhim。Mortonwaspickedupandtakenintotheboat。Hislifewassaved；butitmaybeaquestionhowthebattlemighthavegonehadnotthatfriendlyoarbeenraisedinhisbehalf。Asitwas，helayatthecottagefordaysbeforehewasabletobemoved，soastoreceivethecongratulationsofthosewhohadwatchedthatterribleconflictfromtheshore。Nordidhefeelthattherehadbeenanythinginthatday’sworkofwhichhecouldbeproud；——muchratherofwhichitbehovedhimtobethoroughlyashamed。SomesixmonthsafterthatheobtainedthehandofAnastasiaBergen，buttheydidnotremainlonginBermuda。"Hewentaway，backtohisowncountry，"myinformanttoldme；"becausehecouldnotenduretomeettheghostofAaronTrow，atthatpointoftheroadwhichpassesnearthecottage。"ThattheghostofAaronTrowmaybeseenthereandroundthelittlerockyinletofthesea，ispartofthecreedofeveryyoungwomaninBermuda。