"Don't shoot me, massa! Don't shoot me, and I'll gib myself up," cried the fugitive, who seemed to have heard the report of the gun, without observing the effect which the shot had produced.
"I mean to save you," replied Dan, as he levelled the gun at another of the dogs; but this time he missed his aim, and the hound continued to swim towards the negro.
"Luff a little more," said Dan to Cyd, as the boat came between the man and the dogs.
"Luff 'em 'tis."
As the boat now divided the dogs from their prey, Dan did not again load the guns; but seizing the boat-hook, he gave the foremost hound a knock on the head, which caused him to retreat, howling with pain.
"Swim this way," cried Dan to the negro. "I will save you."
"Yes, sar," gasped the negro, whose breath was nearly exhausted by the hard struggle through which he had just passed.
As the Isabel luffed up, the fugitive came alongside, and Dan assisted him to climb upon the deck.
"O Lord!" groaned he, as he threw himself at full length upon the forecastle.
"Poor fellow!" sighed Lily, who ran forward to see the sufferer as soon as he was hauled on board. "What can we do for him?"