We will not follow him in his peregrinations through the mazes of the misty future, for they were interrupted by the appearance on the water of a distant object, which excited his attention.  A searching and anxious scrutiny convinced him that it was the boat in which Maxwell had made his escape.  Though at a great distance from him, he could see that it contained two men.  Guardian as he was of his mistress’ honor and safety, the sight awakened all his fears and called up all his energy.  Did they know that his mistress had gone to Cottage Island?  It was possible that Vernon had obtained a knowledge of her movements.  The faithful fellow was almost maddened at the thought.

The boat approached Cottage Island, and Hatchie observed them pull in under the high bank.  This movement was ominous of evil, and all the mulatto’s fears were confirmed, when, as they passed the mouth of the little stream, he saw one of them rise in the boat and point it out.  Satisfied that his canoe was yet unnoticed by his enemies, and dreading no immediate danger, he paddled across the river so as to bring the island between them.  When he had gained a position which hid him from their view, he used all his immense strength in propelling the canoe towards the island.  A few minutes sufficed to bring him up with the western shore of the islet, his enemies being upon the opposite side.  Keeping close to the high bank, he paddled down-stream to the lower extremity of the island, where the sound of voices caused him suddenly to check his progress, and gain a landing.  Drawing the canoe out of reach of the current, he climbed up the bank, which, being near the down-stream end of the island, sloped gradually down, till it terminated in the low, sandy beach.

He reached the high bank without attracting the attention of the party of whose motions he wished to obtain a knowledge.  He could now distinctly hear their conversation, though they were still at a considerable distance from him.  Cautiously he climbed a thick cotton-wood tree, whose foliage completely screened him from observation, and there awaited the nearer approach of Maxwell and his confederate.

“Are you sure this is the island?” said Maxwell, when they had come within hearing of Hatchie.

“This must be the one,” replied Vernon.  “We shall soon see whether it is inhabited or not.”

“With whom did the girl leave the wood-yard?”

“With a doctor who lives like a hermit on this island.  I saw them from a distance get into the sail-boat, and I asked a boatman for the particulars.”

“Who is the doctor?”

“Don’t know.  The boatman said it was an outlandish name, and he had forgotten it.  You mean to have the girl, do you?”

“I do, if possible.”

“O, it’s quite possible—­nothing easier.  You say the girl belongs to you?”

“I do; did I not show you the bill of sale?”

“That might be a trick of your own, you know.  It’s a devilish queer story.”