The Boy HuntersAdventures in Search of a White Buffalo

By Captain Mayne Reid________________________________________________________________________This book was written after Mayne Reid discovered that writing books inwhich not too many people died, and there was not too much violence, wasbetter business than writing as he did at first. There are three boysliving with their father, now just a little disabled, but an avidcollector of natural-history specimens. The father says he would givealmost anything for the hide of a white buffalo, and that such a beastexists cannot be disputed. The boys volunteer to get up an expeditionto bring back the much-desired hide, and off they go. 

This book is the story of their quest. But it is also an interestingexposition of the animals and plants that inhabit the great prairies ofAmerica. The only real fault is that we are inevitably given the Latinname of the plant or animal. I don't know why I should object to this, but I do. I don't think it sits well within speech. 

Still, the story is really interesting, and I greatly enjoyedtranscribing it. I am sure I will read it many more times before mydays are numbered, if I can. NH________________________________________________________________________

THE BOY HUNTERSADVENTURES IN SEARCH OF A WHITE BUFFALO

BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID

CHAPTER ONE. 

THE HOME OF THE HUNTER-NATURALIST. 

Go with me to the great river Mississippi. It is the longest river inthe world. A line that would measure it would just reach to the centreof the earth, --in other words, it is four thousand miles in length. Gowith me to this majestic river. 

I do not wish you to travel to its source; only as far up as PointCoupee, about three hundred miles from its mouth. There we shall stopfor a while--a very short while--for we have a long journey to make. Our route lies to the far west--over the great prairies of Texas; andfrom Point Coupee we shall take our departure. 

There is a village at Point Coupee--a quaint, old, French-lookingvillage built of wood. In point of fact it _is_ a French village; forit was one of the earliest settlements of that people, who, with theSpaniards, were the first colonists of Western America. Hence we find, to this day, French and Spanish people, with French and Spanish namesand customs, all through the Mississippi valley and the regions that liewest of it. 

We have not much to do with these things at present, and very little tosay of Point Coupee, more than we have already said. Our subject is anodd-looking house that, many years ago, stood upon the western bank ofthe river, about a mile below the village. I say it stood there manyyears ago; but it is very likely that it is still standing, as it was afirm, well-built house, of hewn logs, carefully chinked, and plasteredbetween the chinks with run-lime. It was roofed with cedar shinglesthat projected at the eaves, so as to cast off the rain, and keep thewalls dry. It was what in that country is called a "double house, "--that is, a large passage ran across the middle of it, through which youmight have driven a wagon loaded with hay. This passage was roofed andceiled, like the rest of the house, and floored with strong planks. Theflooring, elevated a foot above the surface of the ground, projectedseveral feet in front of the passage, where carved uprights ofcedar-wood supported a light roof, forming a porch or verandah. Aroundthese uprights, and upon the railing that shut in the verandah, clungvines, rose-bushes, and convolvulus plants, that at certain seasons ofthe year were clustered over with beautiful flowers. 

The house faced the river, standing, as I have said, on its westernbank--on the same side with Point Coupee. In front was a lawn, some twohundred yards in length, that stretched toward the river, and ended onthe low bluff forming its bank. This lawn was enclosed by highrail-fences, and variegated with clumps of shrubbery and ornamentaltrees. Most of them were indigenous to the country; but there wereexotics as well. Among the trees you could not fail to notice thelarge-flowered magnolia (_Magnolia grandiflora_), the red mulberry(_Morus rubra_), the pale-green leaves of the catalpa, the talltulip-tree (_liriodendron_), and the shining foliage of the orange. 

In contrast with the brighter frondage of these were dark cone-shapedcedars, and spire-like forms of the yew. There were date-trees andweeping willows growing upon the river bank, and drooping gracefullyover its current. Other plants and trees might be distinguished--thenatives of a southern clime--such as the great Mexican aloe (_AgaveAmericana_), the bayonet blades of the yucca, and the fan-like leaves ofthe palmetto. Beautiful birds of many varieties might be seen among thecopses, or moving over the grassy sward of the lawn. 

In the great hall or passage, already mentioned, a singular picturepresented itself. Along the walls, on both sides, were suspendedvarious implements of the chase, such as rifles, shot guns, pouches, flasks, hunting-knives, and, in short, every species of trap, net, orimplement, that could be devised for capturing the wild denizens of theearth, air, and water. Horns of the stag and elk were fastened to thehewn logs; and upon their branching antlers hung hair-bridles, andhigh-peaked saddles of the Mexican or Spanish fashion. In addition tothese were skins of rare birds and quadrupeds, artistically preserved bystuffing, and placed on pedestals around the wooden walls. There wereglass cases, too, containing moths, butterflies, and other insects, impaled upon pins, and arranged in systematic order. In short, thishall resembled a little museum. 

Were we to enter and examine the inside of the house, we should findthree or four good-sized rooms, comfortably furnished, and all stockedwith subjects of natural history, and implements of the chase. In oneof the rooms we should see a barometer and thermometer hanging againstthe wall, an old clock over the mantel-piece, a sabre and pistols, and abook-case containing many choice and valuable books. 

To the rear of the house we should find a small kitchen built of logs, and containing the usual culinary utensils. Still farther back weshould meet with an enclosed yard, having a storehouse and stable at oneend. In the stables we should find four horses, and several mules mightbe observed in the enclosure. A large reddish dog with long ears, andhaving the appearance of a hound, might be seen straying about the yard, and would not fail to attract our attention. 

An observer, viewing this house from a distance, would take it for theresidence of a wealthy planter; on a nearer inspection, however, itwould not pass for that. There were no rows of negro cabins, no greatsugar-mills, nor tobacco-warehouses, such as are always to be seen nearthe planter's dwelling. Nothing of the sort; nor was there any verylarge tract of cultivated land contiguous to the house. The darkcypress forest in the background cast its shadow almost up to the walls. Plainly it was not the dwelling of a planter. What then was it, andwho were its inmates? It was the home of a _Hunter-Naturalist_. 

CHAPTER TWO. 

THE HUNTER-NATURALIST AND HIS FAMILY. 

In 1815 was fought the famous battle of Waterloo, and in the same yearNapoleon Bonaparte was exiled to the island-rock of Saint Helena. ManyFrench officers, who had followed the fortunes of the great adventurer, at that time emigrated to America. Most of these, as was very natural, sought the French settlements on the Mississippi, and there made theirhomes for life. Among them was one named Landi, who had been a colonelof chasseurs in Napoleon's army. He was by birth a Corsican; and it wasthrough his being a friend and early acquaintance of one of theBonaparte family that he had been induced to become an officer in theFrench army--for in his youth he had been fonder of science thansoldiering. 

While campaigning in Spain, Landi had married a Basque lady, by whom hehad three children, all sons. Their mother died before the battle ofWaterloo was fought; so that when Landi emigrated to America his familyconsisted of his three sons alone. 

He first went to Saint Louis, but after a while moved down the river toPoint Coupee, in Louisiana, where he purchased the house we have justdescribed, and made it his home. 

Let me tell you that he was not in any circumstances of necessity. Previous to his departure for America, he had sold his patrimonialestates in Corsica for a sum of money--enough to have enabled him tolive without labour in any country, but particularly in that free landof cheap food and light taxation--the land of his adoption. He was, therefore, under no necessity of following any trade or profession inhis new home--and he followed none. How then did he employ his time? Iwill tell you. He was an educated man. Previous to his entering theFrench army he had studied the natural sciences. He was a _naturalist_. A naturalist can find employment anywhere--can gather both instructionand amusement where others would die of _ennui_ and idleness. Remember!there are "sermons in stones, and books in running brooks. " He was nota closet naturalist either. Like the great Audubon he was fond of theoutside world. He was fond of drawing his lessons from Nature herself. He combined a passion for the chase with his more delicate taste forscientific pursuits; and where could he have better placed himself toindulge in these than in the great region of the Mississippi valley, teeming with objects of interest both to the hunter and the naturalist?In my opinion, he made good choice of his home. 

Well, between hunting, and fishing, and stuffing his birds, andpreserving the skins of rare quadrupeds, and planting and pruning histrees, and teaching his boys, and training his dogs and horses, Landiwas far from being idle. His boys, of course, assisted him in theseoccupations, as far as they were able. But he had another assistant--Hugot. 

Who was Hugot? I shall describe Hugot for your benefit. 

Hugot was a Frenchman--a very small Frenchman, indeed--not over fivefeet four inches in height. He was dapper and tidy--had a largeaquiline nose, and, notwithstanding his limited stature, a pair oftremendous moustachios, that curved over his mouth so as almost to hideit. These gave him a somewhat fierce aspect, which, combined with hisupright carriage, and brisk mechanical-like movements, told you at oncewhat Hugot had been--a French soldier. He was, in fact, a _ci-devant_corporal of chasseurs. Landi had been his colonel. The rest you willeasily guess. He had followed his old leader to America, and was nowhis man for everything. It was not often that you could see thenaturalist without also seeing Hugot's great moustachios close by hiselbow. It would have killed Hugot to have been separated for any lengthof time from his old colonel. 

Of course Hugot accompanied his master in all his hunting expeditions. So, too, did the boys, as soon as they were able to sit upon a horse. On these occasions the house would be shut up, for there was nohousekeeper nor any other domestic about the establishment. It wouldremain thus for days, sometimes for weeks together--for the naturalistwith his party often made distant excursions into the surroundingforests. They would return laden with spoils--skins of birds andbeasts, plants, and rare geological specimens. Then whole days would bespent in the arrangement of these new acquisitions. Thus did Landi andhis family pass their time. 

Hugot was cook, valet, groom, butler, and errand boy. I have alreadystated that no other domestic, male or female, lived in the house:Hugot, therefore, was chambermaid as well. His manifold occupations, however, were not so difficult to fulfil as might at first appear. TheColonel was a man of simple habits. He had learned these when asoldier, and he brought up his sons to live like himself. He ate plainfood, drank only water, and slept upon a camp-bed with a buffalo-robeand a blanket. A laundress in Point Coupee kept the linen clean; andHugot was not near so busy with house affairs as you might suppose. Hemade daily journeys to the village--to the market, and the post-office, from which he often brought letters, many of them with large seals, andthe arms of a prince upon them! Sometimes, too, after a steamer hadcalled at the landing, parcels arrived containing books--scientificbooks they were--or curious instruments. Notwithstanding all this, there was nothing mysterious about the life of the hunter-naturalist. He was no misanthrope. He often visited the village, and would gossipwith old hunters and others who lived there. The villagers knew him asthe "old Colonel, " and respected him. They only wondered at his tastesas a naturalist, which to them seemed strange. They wondered, too, howhe managed to keep house without a maid-servant. But the Colonel didnot trouble his head about their conjectures. He only laughed at theircurious inquiries, and remained on as good terms as ever. His boys, too, as they grew up became great favourites with all. They were thebest shots of their age, could ride a horse with any, could swim theMississippi, paddle a canoe, fling a lasso, or spear a catfish, asthough they had been full-grown men. They were, in fact, boy-men; andas such were regarded by the simple villagers, who instinctively feltthe superiority which education and training had given to these youthsover their own uneducated minds. The boys, notwithstanding theseadvantages, were affable with the villagers; hence the respect in whichthey were universally held. 

None of his neighbours ever visited the Colonel, except on matters ofbusiness. Indeed he had no visitors of any sort, if we except one ortwo of his former military associates, who lived at New Orleans, andcame up to his house about once a-year to talk over old times, and tastehis venison. On such occasions "Napoleon le Grand" was of course themain subject of conversation. Like all old soldiers of the Empire, Landi worshipped Napoleon; but there was one of the Bonaparte family forwhom the naturalist entertained a still higher feeling of regard, amounting in fact to sincere friendship. This was Charles Lucien, prince of Musignano. 

Not all the Bonapartes have been bad. Some of the members of thatremarkable family have given evidence to the world that they were thepossessors of noble virtue. The quiet researches of the Prince ofMusignano as a student of natural history, may be looked upon as so manyconquests in the kingdom of Nature; and though they have been eclipsedby the more brilliant and sanguinary triumphs of the Emperor, yet dothey far more entitle him to the gratitude and respect of men. He wasthe true hero of the hunter-naturalist Landi. 

For many years did Colonel Landi lead the life we have described. Anevent at length happened that was near proving fatal to him. He hadbeen wounded in the leg during his campaigns in the Peninsula. A fallfrom his horse reopened this wound, and amputation became necessary. This saved his life, but he could no longer partake of the amusements ofthe chase, although still able to indulge in the more delicate pursuitsof the naturalist. With his wooden leg he was able to hobble about thehouse and lawn, prune the trees, and attend to his pets that had grownto be quite numerous, while Hugot at all times followed him about likehis shadow. The boys, however, went abroad on hunting expeditions, andcollected specimens as formerly; and the life of all went on pretty muchas usual. 

Thus it was when I first became acquainted with the naturalist, his manHugot, and his three sons--the _Boy Hunters_, the heroes of our littlebook. 

Young reader, permit me to introduce you to a more intimate acquaintancewith them. I fancy you will like them--all three--and be happy for sometime in their society. 

CHAPTER THREE. 

THE PRINCE'S LETTER. 

It is a lovely morning in Spring as we approach their dwelling. Weenter the lawn by a side-gate. We need not go into the house, for thereis no one within doors. The weather is too fine for that, but they areall at home notwithstanding. They are in the lawn in front, and theverandah. 

They are differently occupied. The Colonel himself is engaged feedinghis pets. Hugot is helping him, and carries the basket containing theirfood. 

You would call the Colonel a fine-looking man. His hair is as white asbleached flax. So, too, are his moustaches. He wears no beard. Hisface is cleanly shaved, showing a complexion bronzed and somewhat ruddy. The expression of his countenance is mild, though firm. He is muchthinner than he has been in his time, on account of the amputation ofhis leg, which often produces this effect. His dress is simple. Ajacket of yellow nankeen, a striped cotton shirt, with loose cottonadetrousers of bright sky colour. A Panama hat, with very broad brim, shades his eyes from the sun, and his shirt is open at the throat, forthe day is warm. Thus is the Colonel attired. Hugot is dressed after asomewhat similar fashion; but the material of his jacket and trousers iscoarser, and his hat is of the common palmetto leaf. 

Look at Basil, the oldest of the boys. He is at work fixing some strapsto a hunting-saddle, that lies on the grass beside him. Basil isexactly seventeen years of age. He is a fine-looking lad, though notwhat you might call handsome. His face has a courageous expression, andhis form betokens strength. His hair is straight, and black as jet. Heis more like an Italian than either of his brothers. He is, in fact, the son of his father--a true Corsican. Basil is a "mighty hunter. " Heis more fond of the chase than of aught else. He loves hunting foritself, and delights in its dangers. He has got beyond the age ofbird-catching and squirrel shooting. His ambition is not now to besatisfied with anything less exciting than a panther, bear, or buffalohunt. 

How very unlike him is Lucien, the second in age! Unlike in almosteverything. Lucien is delicately formed, with a light complexion andvery fair hair. He is more like what his mother was, for she wasfair-haired and _blonde_, as are many of her people--the Basques. Lucien is passionately fond of books and study. He is busy with a bookjust now in the verandah. He is a student of natural history ingeneral, but botany and geology are his favourite sciences, and he hasmade considerable progress in both. He accompanies Basil on all huntingexpeditions; but, in the midst of the most exciting chase, Lucien wouldleap down from his horse if a rare plant or flower, or an odd-lookingrock, was to fall under his eye. Lucien talks but little--not half somuch as most boys--but although habitually silent he possesses a raregood sense; and when he offers his advice upon any question, it isusually received with respect by the others. Such is the secretinfluence of intellect and education. 

Next and last, we have Francois, a quick-witted, curly-haired urchin--merry to madness--cheerful at all times--changeable in his tastes andlikings--versatile in talents--in short, more of a Frenchman than any ofthem. Francois is a great bird-catcher. He is at this moment engagedin repairing his nets; and his double-barrel shot gun, which he has justfinished cleaning, rests beside him. Francois is a favourite witheverybody, but a great pest to Hugot, upon whom he plays numeroustricks. 

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While the naturalist and his family were thus engaged, a loud boomingnoise was heard at some distance off, down the river. It somewhatresembled the regular firing of great guns, though the explosionssounded softer and more hollow. 

"A steamboat!" cried Francois, whose ear first caught the sounds. 

"Yes, " muttered Basil, "from New Orleans, I expect, and bound to SaintLouis. "

"No, brother, " said Lucien, quietly raising himself from his book. "Sheis an Ohio boat. "

"How can you tell that, Luce?" inquired Francois. 

"From the sound of her 'scape, of course. I can distinguish the boat. She is the `Buck-eye'--mail-boat for Cincinnati. "

In a short time the white cloud of steam was seen ascending over thetrees; and then the huge vessel came "bulging" around a bend of theriver, cleaving the brown current as she went. She was soon oppositethe lawn; and, sure enough, proved to be what Lucien had said she was--the mail-steamer "Buck-eye. " This was a triumph for Lucien, although hebore it with characteristic modesty. 

The boat had not passed many minutes, when the loud screeching of hersteam was heard in the direction of Point Coupee. They could tell fromthis that she was putting in at the landing. 

"Hugot!" cried the Colonel, "their may be something for us. Go andsee. "

Without waiting for further orders, Hugot started on his errand. He wasa brisk walker, Hugot; and was back again in a trice. He brought withhim a letter of goodly size and appearance. 

"From Prince Lucien!" cried Francois, who was sure to have the firstword in everything. "It is from the Prince, papa; I know the seal. "

"Quiet, Francois! quiet!" said his father, reprovingly; at the same timehobbling into the verandah, and calling for his spectacles. 

The letter was soon opened, and perused. 

"Hugot!" cried the Colonel, after he had finished reading it. 

Hugot made no reply, but threw himself in front of his master, with hishand raised to his eyebrows _a la militaire_. 

"Hugot, you must go to Saint Louis. "

"_Bien, mon Colonel_!"

"You must start by the first boat. "

"_Tres-bien, mon Colonel_!"

"You must procure for me the skin of a _white buffalo_. "

"That will not be difficult, monsieur. "

"More difficult than you imagine, I fear. "

"With money, monsieur?"

"Ay, even with money, Hugot. Look you! It is a _skin_ I want--not arobe--but a perfect skin with the head, feet, and all complete, and fitfor stuffing. "

"Ah! mon Colonel! that is different. "

"Ah! you may say so. I fear it will be difficult, indeed, " soliloquisedthe Colonel, with a thoughtful air. "I very much doubt whether we canget it at all; but it must be had, cost _what it may_--ay, _cost what itmay_. "

"I will do my best, Colonel. "

"Try at every fur-store in Saint Louis, --inquire among the hunters andtrappers--you know where to find them. If these fail you, put anadvertisement in the newspapers--advertise both in English and French. Go to Monsieur Choteau--anywhere. Spare no expense, but get me theskin. "

"_Restez tranquille, mon Colonel_; I shall do all that. "

"Make ready, then, to start. There may be a steamer going up beforenight. Hush! I hear one this very moment. It may be a Saint Louisboat. "

All stood for a moment silent and listening. The 'scape of another boatcoming up the river could be heard plain enough. 

"It is a Saint Louis boat, " said Lucien. "It is the `Belle of theWest. '"

Lucien, who had a quick talent in that way, could tell, by the sound oftheir steam-pipe, almost every boat that plied upon the Mississippi. Inhalf-an-hour the steamer hove in sight, and it was seen that he hadagain guessed correctly. It was a Saint Louis boat, and the "Belle ofthe West, " too!

Hugot had not many preparations to make; and before the boat had arrivedopposite to the house, he had arranged everything--received some furtherinstructions, with a purse of money, from his master--and was off toPoint Coupee, to meet the steamer at the landing. 

CHAPTER FOUR. 

GOING ON A GREAT HUNT. 

It was full three weeks before Hugot returned. They were a long threeweeks to the old Colonel, --who was troubled with apprehensions thatHugot would not succeed in his errand. He had written in reply to theletter of Prince Bonaparte. He had written promising to procure--_ifpossible_--a white buffalo-skin--for this was what the Prince's letterwas about;--and not for half what he was worth would the Colonel havefailed to accomplish this object. No wonder, then, he was impatient anduneasy during Hugot's absence. 

Hugot returned at length, after night. The Colonel did not wait untilhe entered the house, but met him at the door, candle in hand. He neednot have put any question, as Hugot's face answered that question beforeit was asked. The moment the light fell upon it, any one could havetold that Hugot had come back _without the skin_. He looked quitecrest-fallen; and his great moustachios appeared bleached and drooping. 

"You have not got it?" interrogated the Colonel, in a faltering voice. 

"No, Colonel, " muttered Hugot, in reply. 

"You tried everywhere?"

"Everywhere. "

"You advertised in the papers?"

"In all the papers, monsieur. "

"You offered a high price?"

"I did. It was to no purpose. I could not have procured a whitebuffalo's skin if I had offered ten times as much. I could not have gotit for a thousand dollars. "

"I would give five thousand!"

"It would have been all the same, monsieur. It is not to be had inSaint Louis. "

"What says Monsieur Choteau?"

"That there is but little chance of finding what you want. A man, hesays, may travel all over the prairies without meeting with a _white_buffalo. The Indians prize them beyond anything, and never let oneescape when they chance to fall in with it. I found two or three amongthe fur packs of the traders; but they were not what you desire, monsieur. They were robes; and even for them a large sum was asked. "

"They would be of no use. It is wanted for a different purpose--for a_great museum_. Ah! I fear I cannot obtain it. If not to be had inSaint Louis, where else?"

"Where else, papa?" interrupted Francois, who, with his brothers, hadstood listening to the above dialogue. "Where else, but _on theprairies_?"

"On the prairies!" mechanically echoed his father. 

"Yes, papa. Send Basil, and Lucien, and myself. We'll find you a whitebuffalo, I warrant you. "

"Hurrah, Francois!" cried Basil; "you're right, brother. I was going topropose the same myself. "

"No, no, my lads; you've heard what Monsieur Choteau says. You need notthink of such a thing. It cannot be had. And I have written to thePrince, too. I have as good as promised him!"

As the old Colonel uttered these words, his countenance and gesturesexpressed disappointment and chagrin. 

Lucien, who had observed this with a feeling of pain, now interposed. 

"Papa, " he said, "it is true that Monsieur Choteau has great experiencein the fur-trade; but the facts do not correspond with what he hasstated, "--(Lucien, you will observe, was a keen reasoner). "Hugot hasseen two or three of these skins in Saint Louis. Some one must havefound the animals to which these belonged. Moreover, I have heard, asMonsieur Choteau asserts, that they are highly prized by the Indianchiefs, who wear them as robes; and that they are often seen among thetribes. This, then, proves that there _are_ white buffaloes upon theprairies; and why should _we_ not happen upon them as well as others? Isay with Francois and Basil, let us go in search of them. "

"Come in, my lads; come in!" said their father, evidently pleased, andto some extent comforted, with the proposal of his boys. "Come in tothe house--we can talk over it better when we have had our suppers. "

And so saying, the old Colonel hobbled back into the house followed byhis three boys; while Hugot, looking very jaded and feeling very hungry, brought up the rear. 

During the supper, and after it, the subject was discussed in all itsbearings. The father was more than half inclined to consent to theproposal of his sons from the first; while they, but particularly Basiland Francois, were enthusiastic in proving its practicability. I needhardly tell you the result. The Colonel at length gave his consent--the_expedition was agreed upon_. 

The naturalist was greatly influenced by the desire he felt to gratifyhis friend the Prince. He was influenced, too, by another feeling. Hefelt secretly pleased at the bold and enterprising character thusexhibited in his children, and he was not the man to throw cold waterupon any enterprise they might design. Indeed, he often boasted to hisneighbours and friends how he had trained them up to be men, callingthem his "boy-men, " and his "_jeunes chasseurs_. " And truly had hetrained them to a complete self-reliance, as far as lay in his power. He had taught them to ride, to swim, to dive deep rivers, to fling thelasso, to climb tall trees, and scale steep cliffs, to bring down birdsupon the wing, or beasts upon the run, with the arrow and the unerringrifle. He had trained them to sleep in the open air--in the darkforest--on the unsheltered prairie--along the white snow-wreath--anywhere--with but a blanket or a buffalo-robe for their beds. He hadtaught them to live upon the simplest food; and the knowledge ofpractical botany which he had imparted to them--more particularly toLucien--would enable them, in case of need, to draw sustenance fromplants and trees, from roots and fruits--to find resources whereignorant men might starve. They knew how to kindle a fire withouteither flint, steel, or detonating powder. They could discover theirdirection without a compass--from the rocks, and the trees, and thesigns of the heavens; and, in addition to all, they had been taught, asfar as was then known, the geography of that vast wilderness thatstretched from their own home to the far shores of the Pacific Ocean. 

The Colonel knew that he might safely trust them upon the prairies; and, in truth, it was with a feeling of pride, rather than anxiety, that heconsented to the expedition. But there was still another motive thatinfluenced him--perhaps the most powerful of all. He was inspired bythe pride of the naturalist. He thought of the triumph he would obtainby sending such a rare contribution to the great museum of Europe. Ifever, my young reader, you should become a naturalist, you willcomprehend how strong this feeling may be; and with ourhunter-naturalist it was so. 

At first he proposed that Hugot should accompany them. This the boyswould not hear of, and all three stoutly opposed it. They could notthink of taking Hugot--their father would require Hugot at home--Hugotwould be of no use to them, they said. They would do as well, if notbetter, without him. 

The truth was, that these ambitious young hunters did not wish to berobbed of any part of the credit of their enterprise--which they knewwould be the case if Hugot were to accompany them. Not that Hugot wasby any means a noted hunter--quite the contrary--nor a warrior neither, notwithstanding he had been a _chasseur a cheval_, and wore such fiercemoustachios. All this his old Colonel knew very well; and therefore didnot much insist upon sending Hugot with them. 

Hugot's talents shone best in another sphere of action--in the_cuisine_. There Hugot was at home, for he could compound an omelette, fricassee a chicken, or dress a _canard aux olives_, with Monsieur Soyerhimself. But Hugot--although for many years he had accompanied his oldand young masters in the chase--had no taste whatever for hunting. Hehad a wholesome dread of bears and panthers, and as to Indians . .. Ha!_Indians_!

Now you will wonder, my young friend, when you come to think of theseIndians--when you come to consider that fifty warlike nations of themlive and roam over the prairies--many of them sworn foes to white men, killing the latter wherever they may meet them, as you would a mad dogor a poisonous spider, --I say, when you consider these things, you willwonder that this old French or Corsican father should consent to let hissons go upon so dangerous an expedition. It seems unnatural, does itnot? In fact, quite improbable, when we come to reflect that theColonel dearly loved his three sons, almost as dearly as his own life. And yet one would say, he could hardly have found a readier plan to getrid of them, than thus to send them forth among savages. Upon what, then, did he rely for their safety? On their age? No. He knew theIndians better than that. He knew very well that their age would not becared for, should they chance to fall in with any of the tribes hostileto the whites. It is true, that the savages might not scalp them onthis account--being boys, --but they would be very certain to carry theminto a captivity from which they might never return. Or did theirfather anticipate that the excursion should extend no farther than thecountry of some friendly tribe? He entertained no such idea. Had thisbeen their plan, their errand would have been likely to prove fruitless. In a country of that sort they would have seen but little of thebuffalo; for it is well-known that the buffaloes are only found inplenty upon those parts of the prairies termed "war grounds"--that is, where several tribes go to hunt, who are at war with each other. Infact, that is the reason why these animals are more numerous there thanelsewhere, as the hunters are fewer, on account of the danger they incurof coming into collision with each other. In a territory which isexclusively in possession of any particular tribe, the buffaloes aresoon killed or run off by incessant hunting. It is a fact, therefore, well-known among prairie-hunters, that wherever buffaloes are plentythere is plenty of danger as well, though the converse of this is notalways true. On the neutral or "war grounds" of the Indians, you maymeet with a friendly tribe one day, and on the next, or even within thenext hour, you may fall in with a band of savages who will scalp you onsight. 

Now, the father of our three boy hunters knew all this, as well as Iknow it. How then are we to account for his apparently unnaturalconduct, in permitting them to risk their lives in such an enterprise?It would be quite unaccountable indeed were it not that there was a_mystery_ connected with it, which I shall explain to you hereafter. All I can tell you now is, that when the three were mounted and about tostart, the Colonel hobbled up; and, drawing from his pocket a smallleathern bag or case ornamented with stained porcupine quills, he handedit to Basil, saying as he did so: "_Take good care of it, Basil_--_youknow its use_--_never let it part from you_--_your lives may depend uponit. God be with you, my brave boys. Adieu_!" Basil took the case, passed the string over his shoulders, pushed the bag under the breast ofhis hunting-shirt, pressed his father's hand, and putting the spur tohis horse rode briskly off. Lucien saluted his father with a kiss, waved his hand gracefully to Hugot, and followed. Francois remained amoment behind the rest--rode up to Hugot--caught hold of his greatmoustache, gave it a twitch that caused the _ex-chasseur_ to grin again;and then, with a loud yell of laughter, wheeled his pony, and gallopedafter his brothers. 

The Colonel and Hugot stood for some moments watching them. When theboy hunters had reached the edge of the woods, all three reined up, turned in their saddles, and, taking off their hats, uttered a partingcheer. The Colonel and Hugot cheered in return. When the noise hadsubsided, the voice of Francois was heard shouting back, --

"Fear not, papa! we'll bring you the _white buffalo_!"

CHAPTER FIVE. 

THE CAMP OF THE BOY HUNTERS. 

Our young adventurers turned their faces westward, and were soon ridingunder the shadows of majestic woods. At this time there were few whitesettlements west of the Mississippi river. The small towns upon itsbanks, with here and there a settler's "clearing" or a squatter's cabin, were the only signs of civilisation to be met with. A single day's ridein a westerly direction would carry the traveller clear of all these, and launch him at once into the labyrinth of swamps and woods, thatstretched away for hundreds of miles before him. It is true, there weresome scattered settlements upon the bayous farther west, but most of thecountry between them was a wilderness. 

In an hour or so our travellers had ridden clear of the settlements thatsurrounded Point Coupee, and were following the forest "trails, " rarelytravelled except by roving Indians, or the white hunters of the bordercountry. The boys knew them well. They had often passed that way onformer hunting expeditions. 

I shall not detail too minutely the events that occurred along theirline of march. This would tire you, and take up too much space. Ishall take you at once to their first encampment, where they had haltedfor the night. 

It was in a small glade or opening, such as are often met with in theforests west of the Mississippi. There was about an acre of clearground, covered with grass and flowers, among which helianthus and bluelupines were conspicuous. Tall trees grew all around; and you couldtell from their leaves that these trees were of different kinds. Youmight have told that from their trunks as well, for these were unlikeeach other. Some were smooth, while upon others the bark was cracked, and crisped outward in large scales a foot or more in length. Thebeautiful tulip-tree (_liriodendron_) was easily distinguished by itsstraight column-like trunks, out of which are sawed those great planksof _white poplar_ you may have seen, for that is the name by which it isknown among carpenters and builders. The name of _tulip-tree_ comesfrom its flowers, which in size and shape very much resemble tulips, andare of a greenish-yellow colour tinged with orange. It was thecharacteristic tree around the glade. There were many others, though;and most conspicuous, with its large wax-like leaves and blossoms, wasthe magnolia grandiflora. The lofty sugar-maple (_acer saccharinum_)was seen, and lower down the leafy buck-eye (_aesculus flava_) with itspretty orange-flowers, and the shell-bark hickory--the _juglans alba_ ofthe botanists. Huge creeping plants stretched from tree to tree, or ranslanting upward; and on one side of the glade you might observe thethick cane-reeds (_arundo gigantea_), growing like tall grass. Theforest on the other side was more open; no doubt, because some formerfire had burned down the underwood in that direction. The fan-likeleaves of palmettos and yuccas growing all around, gave a southern andtropical aspect to the scene. 

The young hunters had halted nearly two hours before sunset, in order togive time to prepare their night-camp. About half-an-hour after theirhalt, the little glade presented a picture somewhat as follows:--Nearits edge stood a small canvas tent, like a white cone or pyramid. Thefly, or opening, was thrown back, for the evening was fine, and therewas no one inside. A little to one side of the tent lay three saddlesupon the grass. They were of the Mexican fashion, with high pommel andcantle, a "horn" in front, with a staple and ring firmly fastened in thewood of the tree. There were several thongs of leather fastened toother rings behind the cantle; but the stirrups were steel ones, and notthose clumsy blocks of wood which so much disfigure the Mexican saddle. Beside the saddles was an odd-looking object. It resembled a giganticbook, partly open, and set upon the opened edges. It was a_pack-saddle_, also of Mexican fashion, and in that country called an"alpareja. " It had a strong leathern girth, with a breech-strap to keepit from running forward upon the shoulders of the animal that might wearit. At a short distance from the saddles, several blankets--red andgreen ones--with a bear-skin and a couple of buffalo-robes, were lyingupon the grass; and on a branch overhead hung whips, bridles, water-gourds, and spurs. Against the trunk of a tulip-tree, thattowered over the tent, rested three guns. Two of them were rifles, ofwhich one was much longer than the other: the third piece was adouble-barrelled shot gun. Bullet-pouches and powder-horns hung fromthe muzzles of all three, their straps being suspended from theprojecting ends of the rammers. 

On the opposite or leeward side of the tent a fire was burning. It hadnot been long kindled, and crackled as it blazed. You could easily havetold the strong red flame to be that of the shell-bark hickory--the bestfirewood--though dry sticks of some lighter wood had been used to kindleit. On each side of the fire a forked stick was stuck into the ground, with the forks at the top; and on these rested a fresh cut sapling, placed horizontally to serve as a crane. A two-gallon camp-kettle ofsheet-iron was suspended upon it and over the fire, and the water in thekettle was just beginning to boil. Other utensils were strewed around. There was a frying-pan, some tin cups, several small packages containingflour, dried meat, and coffee; a coffee-pot of strong tin, a smallspade, and a light axe, with its curved hickory shaft. 

These were the inanimate objects of the picture. Now for the animate. 

First, then, were our heroes, the three Boy Hunters--Basil, Lucien, Francois. Basil was engaged by the tent, driving in the pins; Lucienwas attending to the fire which he has just kindled; while Francois wasmaking the feathers fly out of a brace of wild pigeons he had shot onthe way. No two of the three were dressed alike. Basil was allbuckskin--except the cap, which was made from the skin of a raccoon, with the ringed-tail hanging over his shoulders like a drooping plume. He wore a hunting-shirt with fringed cape, handsomely ornamented withbeads. A belt fastened it around his waist, from which was suspendedhis hunting-knife and sheath, with a small holster, out of which peepedthe shining butt of a pistol. He wore deerskin leggings fringed downthe seams, and mocassins upon his feet. His dress was just that of abackwoods' hunter, except that his cotton under-garments looked finerand cleaner, and altogether his hunting-shirt was more tastefullyembroidered than is common among professional hunters. 

Lucien's dress was of a sky-blue colour. It consisted of a half-blouse, half-hunting-shirt, of strong cottonade, with trousers of the samematerial. He had laced buskins on his feet, and a broad-brimmed Panamahat on his head. Lucien's dress was somewhat more civilised in itsappearance than that of his elder brother. Like him though he had aleather belt, with a sheath and knife on one side; and, instead of apistol, a small tomahawk on the other. Not that Lucien had set out withthe intention of tomahawking anybody. No; he carried his little hatchetfor cracking rocks, not skulls. Lucien's was a geological tomahawk. 

Francois was still in roundabout jacket with trousers. He wore leggingsover his trousers, and mocassins upon his feet, with a cloth cap setjauntily over his luxuriant curls. He, too, was belted withhunting-knife and sheath, and a very small pistol hung upon his leftthigh. 

Out near the middle of the glade were three horses picketed onlasso-ropes, so that they might not interfere with each other whilstbrowsing. They were very different in appearance. One was a largebrown-black horse--a half-Arab--evidently endowed with great strengthand spirit. That was Basil's horse, and deservedly a favourite. Hisname was "Black Hawk"--so called after the famous chief of the Sacs andFoxes, who was a friend of the old Colonel, and who had once entertainedthe latter when on a visit to these Indians. The second horse was avery plain one, a bay, of the kind known as "cot. " He was a modest, sober animal, with nothing either of the hunter or warrior in his looks;but sleek withal, and in good condition, like a well-fed citizen. Hencehis name, which was "Le Bourgeois. " Of course he was ridden by thequiet Lucien. The third horse might have been termed a pony--if size beconsidered--as he was by far the smallest of the three. He was a horse, however, both in shape and character--one of that small but fiery breedtaken by the Spanish conquerors to the New World, and now knownthroughout the western country as "mustangs. " As I shall have reason tosay more of these beautiful creatures by and by, I shall only statehere, that the one in question was spotted like a pard, and answered tothe name "Le Chat" (the cat)--particularly when Francois called him, forhe was Francois' horse. 

A little apart from the horses was another animal, of a dirty slatecolour, with some white marks along the back and shoulders. That was atrue-bred Mexican mule, wiry and wicked as any of its race. It was ashe-mule, and was called Jeanette. Jeanette was tethered beyond kickingdistance of the horses; for between her and the mustang there existed nofriendly feeling. Jeanette was the owner of the odd-looking saddle--thepack. Jeanette's duty was to carry the tent, the provisions, theimplements, and utensils. 

But one other living object might be noticed in the glade--the dog"Marengo. " From his size and colour--which was tawny red--you mighthave mistaken him for a panther--a cougar. His long black muzzle andbroad hanging ears gave him quite a different appearance, however; andtold you that he was a hound. He was, in fact, a blood-hound, with thecross of a mastiff--a powerful animal. He was crouching near Francois, watching for the offal of the birds. 

Now, young reader, you have before you a "night-camp" of the Boyhunters. 

CHAPTER SIX. 

A FOX-SQUIRREL IN A FIX. 

Francois soon finished dressing his pigeons, and plunged them into theboiling-water. A piece of dried meat was added, and then some salt andpepper, drawn from the store-bag, for it was the intention of Francoisto make pigeon-soup. He next proceeded to beat up a little flour withwater, in order to give consistency to the soup. 

"What a pity, " said he, "we have no vegetables!"

"Hold!" cried Lucien, who overheard him. "There appears to be a varietyof green stuff in this neighbourhood. Let me see what can be done. "

So saying, Lucien walked about the glade with his eyes bent upon theground. He seemed to find nothing among the grass and herbs that woulddo; and presently he strayed off among trees, towards the banks of alittle stream that ran close by. In a few minutes he was seen returningwith both his hands full of vegetables. He made no remark, but flungthem down before Francois. There were two species--one that resembled asmall turnip, and, in fact, was the Indian turnip (_psoraleaesculenta_), while the other was the wild onion found in many parts ofAmerica. 

"Ha!" cried Francois, who at once recognised them, "what luck!_pomme-blanche_, and wild onions too, as I live! Now I shall make asoup worth tasting. "

And he proceeded with great glee to cut up the vegetables, and flingthem into the steaming kettle. 

In a short while the meat and pigeons were boiled, and the soup wasready. The kettle was taken from the crane; and the three brothers, seating themselves on the grass, filled their tin cups, and set toeating. They had brought a supply of hard bread to last for a few days. When that should give out, they would draw upon their bag of flour; andwhen this, too, should be exhausted, it was their intention to gowithout bread altogether, as they had often done on like excursionsbefore. 

While thus enjoying their pigeon-soup and picking the bones of the plumpbirds, the attention of all three was suddenly arrested by a movementnear one side of the glade. They had just caught a glimpse of somethingthat looked like a flash of yellow light shooting up in a straightdirection from the ground. 

All three guessed what it was--the lightning passage of a squirrel upthe trunk of a tree; and there was the animal itself, clinging flatagainst the bark, having paused a moment--as is usual with squirrels--before making another rush upward. 

"Oh!" cried Lucien, in a suppressed voice, "it is a fox-squirrel, andsuch a beauty! See! it is marked like a tortoise-shell cat! Papa wouldgive twenty dollars for such a skin. "

"He shall have it for far less, " rejoined Francois, stealing towards hisgun. 

"Stop, Francois!" said Lucien. "Let Basil try it with his rifle--he isa surer shot than you. "

"Very well, " replied Francois; "but if he should miss, it's no harm forme to be ready. "

Basil had already risen, and was silently making for the guns. Onreaching them, he took the long rifle, and turned in the direction ofthe game. At the same moment Francois armed himself with hisdouble-barrel. 

The tree up which the squirrel had run was what is termed a "dead-wood. "It was a decaying tulip-tree--scathed by lightning or storm--and stoodsomewhat apart from the others, out in the open ground. There waslittle else standing but the naked trunks, which rose like a column tothe height of sixty feet. The branches had all been swept away by thewind, with one exception; and this was a long limb that stretcheddiagonally upward from the top of the trunk. The limb, although crookedand forking in several places, was not very thick. It was without twigsor leaves, being of course, like the tree itself, dead. 

Whilst Basil and Francois were preparing their guns, the squirrel hadmade a second rush to the top of this limb; where it sat itself down ina fork, and appeared to contemplate the setting sun. No better markcould have been desired for a shot, provided they could get near enough;and that they were likely to do, for the little animal did not appear toregard the presence either of them or their horses--thus showing that ithad never been hunted. With its bushy tail erect, and spread like afan, it sat upon its haunches, appearing to enjoy the warm beams thatcame from the west. 

The boys moved softly around the glade, Basil going foremost. Whenwithin range, as he thought, he raised his rifle, levelled it, and wasabout to pull trigger, when the squirrel, that up to this moment had notnoticed him, gave a sudden start, dropped its tail, and ran down thelimb as if terrified. It did not stop until it had reached the maintrunk. There it halted, a foot or two from the head, and lay flatagainst the bark. 

What could have alarmed it? Not the boys, for it had not minded thembefore; moreover, it still kept upon their side of the tree, offering asfair a mark as ever. Had it feared them it would, as all squirrels do, have hidden from them behind the trunk. But no, it was not afraid ofthem; for, as it lay horizontally along the bark, its head was turnedupward, and showed, by a peculiar motion, that it dreaded some enemyfrom above. And this was the fact, for high up and directly over thetree, a large bird of prey was seen circling in the air. 

"Hold!" whispered Lucien, laying his hand upon Basil's arm--"hold, brother! it is the red-tailed hawk. See, he is going to swoop down. Let us watch him. "

Basil lowered his rifle, and all three stood waiting. A leafy branchwas over their heads, so that the bird did not see them, or, intent uponstriking his prey, did not care for their presence at the moment. 

Lucien had scarcely spoken, when the hawk, that had hitherto beensailing with his broad wings expanded, suddenly narrowed his tail, drewin his wings, and came down with a loud "whish-sh-sh!" He droppedalmost perpendicularly, grazing the squirrel so closely, that all threelooked for it in his talons as he flew off again. Not so, however. Thesquirrel had been upon his guard; and, as the hawk swooped down, haddoubled around the tree with the quickness of a flash of lightning. Bythe guidance of his rudder-like tail the hawk soon turned, and flewround to that side of the tree on which the squirrel had now settled. Afew strokes of his powerful wings soon enabled him to reach the properelevation; and again he swooped downward at his intended victim. Thesquirrel avoided him as before, and came back on the other side of thetrunk. Again the hawk doubled, rose, darted downward at his prey, missed it, and swept on. A fourth attempt met with like success, andthe bird once more flew back into the air, but still kept circling overthe tree. 

"It's a wonder old foxy doesn't take to another tree, " mutteredFrancois; "one with branches enough to shelter him, or to his own treewhere his hole is. There he would be safe. "

"That's exactly what he wishes to do, " replied Lucien. "But see! hisenemy is directly over him. There's no tree near enough, and if heattempted to run along the open ground, the hawk would be down upon himlike a shot. You saw how suddenly he dropped before?"

This was, in fact, the situation in which the squirrel was. It wasevident he regarded the trees at some distance with a wistful andanxious look; for, although he had succeeded so far in baffling hisenemy, he still appeared to suffer from suspense and fear. 

As soon as the hawk had risen a dozen yards or so above the tree, heagain commenced wheeling in circles, uttering a strange cry as he flew. It was not a scream--as is often heard with these birds--but a cry ofdifferent import, as if a call to some comrade. It was so in fact, forin a moment it was answered from a distant part of the woods; and thenext moment, another hawk--red-tailed like himself, but much larger--wasseen soaring upwards. This was evidently his mate--for the female ofthese birds is always much larger than the males. The two soon cametogether, and wheeled above the tree, crossing each other's orbit, andlooking downward. The squirrel now appeared doubly terrified--for hewell knew their intent. He began to run around the trunk, lookingoutward at intervals, as though he intended to leap off and take to thethick woods. 

The hawks did not allow him long time to make up his mind. The smallerone swooped first, but missed the squirrel as before, driving him aroundthe trunk. There the frightened creature had scarcely halted, when thegreat hen-hawk came at him with a whistling rush, and sent him back tothe other side. The male bird had by this time turned and now dartedwith such suddenness and precision, that the squirrel, unable to passround the tree again, sprang off into the air. Guided by his broad tailthe hawk followed, and before the squirrel could reach the ground, thebird was seen to strike. Then with a loud scream he rose into the air, with the squirrel struggling in his talons. 

His triumph was a short one. The crack of a shot gun was heard frombehind, and both hawk and squirrel fell heavily to the earth. Anothercrack followed, almost instantaneously, and his mate, the greathen-hawk, came tumbling down with a broken wing, and fluttered over thegrass, screaming like a cat. She was soon silenced by a stroke from thebutt of Francois' gun--both barrels of which were now empty--for it wasFrancois that had done the business for the red-tails. 

What was most singular of all, the squirrel was not killed either by theshot or the fall. On the contrary, as Lucien was deliberately stoopingto pick it up--congratulating himself all the while upon his prize--itsuddenly made a spring, shook itself clear of the claws of the deadhawk; and, streaking off into the woods, ran up a tall tree. All threefollowed as fast as they could run; but on reaching the tree--an oakfive feet thick--they saw, to their mortification, the squirrel's holeabout fifty feet from the ground, which, of course, brought thatsquirrel hunt to its termination. 

CHAPTER SEVEN. 

FRANCOIS GETS AN UGLY FALL. 

The next encampment of our hunters was upon the Bayou Crocodile. This, like all the bayous of Louisiana, is a sluggish stream, and here andthere expands itself into large ponds or lakes. It is called BayouCrocodile from the great number of alligators that infest its waters, though in this respect it differs but little from the other rivers ofLouisiana. 

The spot chosen for the camp was an open space upon the bank, at a pointwhere the bayou widened into a small lake. The situation commanded aview of the shores of this lake all round--and a singular view that was. Giant trees rose over the water--live oaks and cypresses--and fromtheir spreading branches the Spanish moss hung trailing down like longstreamers of silver thread. This gave the upper part of the woods asomewhat hoary appearance, and would have rendered the scene rather amelancholy one, had it not been for the more brilliant foliage thatrelieved it. Here and there a green magnolia glistened in the sun, withits broad white flowers, each of them as large as a dining-plate. Underneath grew the thick cane (_arundo gigantea_), its tall pale-greenreeds standing parallel to each other, and ending in lance-shapedblades, like stalks of giant wheat before its ears have shot. Over thisagain rose the grey limbs of the tupeloo-tree (_nyssa aquatica_), withlight leaves and thin foliage. The beautiful palmetto (_chamaerops_)lifted its fan-like branches, as if to screen the earth from the hot sunthat poured down upon it, and here and there its singular shapes wereshadowed in the water. From tree to tree huge parasites stretched likecables--vines, and lianas, and various species of convolvulus. Some ofthese were covered with thick foliage, while others exhibited a surfaceof splendid flowers. The scarlet cups of the trumpet-vine (_bignonia_), the white starlike blossoms of the cypress-creeper, and the pink flowersof the wild althea or cotton-rose (_hibiscus grandiflora_), all blendedtheir colours, inviting the large painted butterflies and ruby-throatedhumming birds that played among their silken corollas. As if incontrast with these bright spots in the landscape, there were othersthat looked dark and gloomy. You could see through long vistas in theforest, where the trees grew out of green slimy water. Here there wasno underwood, either of cane or palmettoes. The black trunks of thecypresses rose branchless for nearly an hundred feet, and from theirspreading limbs drooped the grey weeping moss. Huge "knees" could bedistinguished shooting up like cones or trees that had been broken offleaving their broken trunks in the ground. Sometimes a huge creeper, afoot or more in diameter, stretched across these gloomy aisles, asthough a monster serpent were passing from tree to tree. 

The lake was alive with alligators. These could be seen basking alongthe low banks, or crawling away into the dark and shadowy swamp. Somewere floating gently on the surface of the stream, their long crests andnotched backs protruding above the water. When not in motion thesehideous creatures resembled dead logs of wood; and most of them werelying quiet--partly from their natural disinclination to move about, andpartly waiting for their prey. Those that basked upon the banks heldtheir jaws expanded, that at intervals were heard to close with a loudsnap. These were amusing themselves by catching the flies, that, attracted by the musky odour, flew around their hideous jaws, and litupon their slimy tongues. Some were fishing in the stream, and atintervals the stroke of their tails upon the water could be heard at thedistance of half a mile or more. Their croaking resounded through thewoods somewhat like the noise made by bull-frogs, but loud and terribleas the bellowing of bulls. A horrid appearance they presented; but ourhunters were accustomed to the sight, and had no fear of these animals. 

There were other objects around the lake more pleasing to contemplate. On a distant point stood a troop of flamingoes, drawn up in order like acompany of soldiers, their scarlet plumage shining in the sun. Nearthem was a flock of whooping-cranes--each as tall as a full-grown man--at intervals uttering their loud trumpet notes. The great egret, too, was there, with its snowy plumage and orange bill; the delicately-formedLouisiana heron, with droves of sand-hill cranes, appearing in thedistance like flocks of white sheep. 

Pelicans, with their pouched throats and scythe-like bills, stood inmelancholy attitudes, and beside them were the white and scarlet ibis, and the purple gallinule. Roseate spoonbills waded through theshallows, striking their odd-shaped beaks at the crabs and cray-fish;and upon projecting limbs of trees perched the black darter, his longsnake-like neck stretched eagerly over the water. In the air a flock ofbuzzard vultures were wheeling lazily about, and a pair of ospreys hungover the lake, now and then swooping down upon their finny prey. 

Such was the scene around the camp of the boy hunters, a scene often tobe witnessed among the wilderness-swamps of Louisiana. 

The tent was set near the bank of the bayou, where the ground was dryand high. The spot was open--only a few scattered palmettos growingover it--and the animals were picketed upon the grass near by. Therewas venison for supper. Basil's unerring rifle had brought down a doe, just as they were about to halt; and Basil was an accomplished butcherof such-like game. The doe was soon skinned, and the choice pieces cutout--enough to serve for supper and breakfast upon the followingmorning. The haunches were hung on a limb, to be carried along, as thenext day's hunt might not turn out so successful. There was stillenough left to make a splendid supper for Marengo, and that hungryanimal took full advantage of the occasion. He knew that in anexcursion like the present it was not every day that a fat doe turnedup; or when it did, that such a portion of its carcass was likely tofall to his share. 

It was still early, wanting full two hours of sunset, when the huntersfinished their supper--dinner it should rather be called--as, with theexception of some dry mouthfuls at their noon halt, they had not eatensince breakfast. 

When the meal was over, Basil again looked to repairing the harness ofthe mule--that had got out of order on the march--while Lucien drew outhis note-book and pencil, and, sitting down upon a buffalo-robe, commenced entering his observations for the day. Francois having noemployment, resolved upon creeping around the edge of the bayou, to havea shot at the flamingoes, if he should be lucky enough to get near them. This he knew would be no easy matter, but he had made up his mind totry it; and, having told his brothers of his intention, he shoulderedhis gun and went off. 

He was soon out of sight, having passed into some thick timber that grewalong the edge of the water, through which there was a plain trail madeby deer and other wild animals. He kept along this trail, shelteringhimself behind the trees, so that the flamingoes, that were severalhundred yards farther down the bayou, might not see him as heapproached. 

He had not been out of sight more than five minutes, when Basil andLucien were startled by the report of a gun, and then another followingquickly after. They knew it was Francois' fowling-piece; but what hadhe fired at? It could not have been the flamingoes, as he had not hadtime to get within range of them. Besides, the birds, where they hadbeen sitting on the far shore, were visible from the camp; and all ofthem, affrighted by the reports, were now seen winging their way overthe tops of the trees. No, it could not have been at the flamingoesFrancois had fired. What then? This was the question which Basil andLucien put to each other, not without some feelings of anxiety. Perhaps, thought they, Francois has sprung a deer, or trampled up aflock of turkeys? So the brothers were fain to conjecture; but theirconjectures were soon ended by Francois himself, who was heard far offthrough the woods, shouting in a fearful manner. 

Basil and Lucien seized their rifles, and ran forward to find him; butbefore they could reach the piece of timber, Francois was seen coming upthe trail between the trees, and running as if for his life! In frontof him an object appeared, like a dead log, lying directly across thepath. It could not be that, for it was in motion. It was a livinganimal--an alligator!

It was one, too, of the largest dimensions--nearly twenty feet inlength, and lay right across the path. Basil and Lucien saw it themoment they got opposite the opening. They saw, too, it was not thatwhich was putting Francois to his speed, for he was running directlyupon it. Something behind him occupied all his thoughts, and he did notsee the alligator at all; for, although his brothers shouted to warnhim, he ran on; and, stumbling over the hideous body of the reptile, fell flat upon his face--his gun pitching forward out of his hands as hefell. He was not hurt, however, but, scrambling to his feet again, continued his race, shouting, as he emerged half breathless out of thebushes, "A bear! a bear!"

Basil and Lucien, making ready their pieces, looked along the trail. There, sure enough, was a bear coming up as fast as he could gallop. Itwas at him Francois had fired. The small shot had only served toirritate him; and, seeing such a puny antagonist as Francois, he hadgiven chase. 

At first they all thought of taking to their heels, and seeking safetyby mounting their horses; but the bear had got too near, and one orother might be caught before they could reach the horses and loose them. They resolved, therefore, to make a stand. Basil, who had been at thekilling of a black bear before now, was not so much afraid of theencounter; so he and Lucien held their rifles in readiness to give Bruina warm reception. 

The latter came lumbering on, until he had reached the place where thealligator lay. The reptile had turned itself half round, and was nowstanding on its short legs, lengthwise along the path, puffing like apair of blacksmith's bellows. The bear, intent upon his pursuit ofFrancois, did not see it until he had stumbled right upon its body; andthen, uttering a loud snort, he leaped to one side. This gave thealligator the very opportunity he would have sought; and the next momenthis powerful tail was lashed with such force against the bear, that theribs of the latter were heard to crack under the blow. 

The bear--who would otherwise have left the alligator to himself--becameso infuriated at this unprovoked assault, that he turned and sprang uponhis new enemy, seizing him round the body in a firm hug. Both struggledover the ground, the one growling and snorting, while the other uttereda sound like the routing of a bull. 

How long the conflict would have lasted, and which would have provedvictor had they been left to themselves, is not known; for Basil andLucien both fired, wounding the bear. This caused him to relax his hug, and he now seemed anxious to get off; but the reptile had seized one ofhis feet in his powerful jaws and thus held him fast, all the whilecrawling and dragging him down to the water. The bear was evidentlyaware of the intention of his antagonist, and uttered loud and pitifulmoanings, at times screaming like a hog under the knife of the butcher. It was all to no purpose. His unrelenting enemy gained the bank; anddragging him along, plunged into the deep water. Both went downtogether--completely disappearing from the eyes of the spectators--andalthough the boys watched for nearly an hour, neither beast nor reptilewere seen to rise again to the surface. The bear no doubt had beendrowned at once, and the alligator, after having suffocated him, hadhidden his carcass in the mud, or dragged it along the bottom to someother part of the bayou--there to make a meal of it at his leisure. 

CHAPTER EIGHT. 

ABOUT ALLIGATORS. 

The boys now returned to their tent, impressed with curious feelings bythe scene they had just witnessed. They lay down upon the grass, andentered into a conversation, of which bears and alligators formed thesubjects. The latter, however, with their singular and revoltinghabits, came in for the greater share of their talk. Many odd storiesin relation to them were known to all, even to the little Francois; andBasil being an old hunter among the swamps and bayous, was acquaintedwith many of the habits of these animals. But Basil was not much of anobserver; and he had only noticed such peculiarities as, from time totime, were forced upon his attention by the incidents of the chase. Lucien, however, had more closely observed their habits, and had alsostudied them from books. He was, therefore, well acquainted with allthat is known to the naturalist concerning these animals; and at therequest of his brothers he consented to while away the twilight hours, by imparting to them such information about them as he himselfpossessed. 

"The alligator, " began he, "belongs to the order _Sauria_, or lizards. This order is again divided into several families, one of which istermed _Crocodilida_, or crocodiles; and the family of crocodiles issubdivided into three genera, each of which has several species. "

"How many species in all?" demanded Basil. 

"There are not more than a dozen varieties of the whole crocodilefamily--at least, there are not more known to naturalists. "

"Then I was thinking why there should be all this division andsubdivision into orders, families, genera, and species, for a dozenvarieties of the same animal, and these all so like each other in shapeand habits--are they not so?"

"They are, " answered Lucien, "very similar in their characteristics. "

"Then, why so much classing of them? It appears to me to be quiteuseless. "

"The object of this classing is to make the study of their naturalhistory more easy and simple. But you are right, brother, in thepresent case; it appears quite useless, and only renders the thing morecomplex, and obscure. Where there are many varieties or species of afamily or order of animals, and where these species differ widely fromeach other in appearance and habits, then such minute classificationsbecome necessary to assist one's memory; but I say again, brother, youare quite right as to the present case. There is no need for thenumerous divisions and subdivisions which have been made of thecrocodile family. "

"Who made them, then?" asked Francois. 

"Who!" exclaimed Lucien, with some warmth; "who but _closet_-naturalists, old mummy-hunters of museums! Bah! it makes one angry. "

As Lucien said this, his usually mild countenance exhibited anexpression of mingled indignation and contempt. 

"What is there in it to make one angry?" inquired Basil, looking up athis brother with some astonishment. 

"Why, to think, " answered Lucien, "that these same closet-naturalistsshould have built themselves up great names by sitting in their easychairs measuring, and adding up, and classing into dry catalogues, objects which they knew very little about; and that little they obtainedfrom the observations of others--true naturalists--men like the greatWilson--men who toiled, and travelled, and exposed themselves tocountless dangers and fatigues for the purpose of collecting andobserving; and then for these men to have the fruits of their laboursfilched from them, and descanted upon in dry arithmetical terms by thesesame catalogue-makers. --Bah!"

"Stay, brother; Wilson was not robbed of the fruits of his labours! Hebecame famous. "

"Yes, and he died from the struggles and hardships that made him so. Itreminds me of the fabled song of the swan, brother. He told hisbeautiful tale, and died. Ah! Poor Wilson, he was a _true_naturalist. "

"His name will live for ever. "

"Ay, that it will, when many of the _philosophic_ naturalists, now somuch talked of, shall be forgotten, or only remembered to have theirquaint theories laughed at, and their fabulous descriptions turned intoridicule. Fortunately for Wilson, he was too poor and too humble toattract their patronage until his book was published. Fortunately forhim he knew no great Linneus or Count Buffon, else the vast stores whichhe had been at so much pains to collect would have been given to theworld under another name. Look at Bartram. "

"Bartram!" exclaimed Francois; "why, I never heard the name, Luce. "

"Nor I, " added Basil. 

"There it is, you see. Few know his name; and yet this same JohnBartram, a farmer of Pennsylvania, who lived an hundred years ago, didmore to spread, not only a knowledge of American plants, but the plantsthemselves, than any one who has lived since. Most of the great gardensof England--Kew among the rest--are indebted to this indefatigablebotanist for their American flora; and there were few of the naturalistsof that time--Linneus not excepted--that were not largely indebted tohim for their facts and their fame. They took his plants andspecimens--collected by arduous, toilsome, and perilous journeyings--they put names to them--noble and kingly names--for king-sycophants mostof them were, these same naturalists--they _described_ them as _they_call it--such descriptions, indeed! and then adopted them as their owndiscoveries. And what did they give John Bartram in return for all histrouble? Why, the English king gave him 50 pounds to enable him totravel over thousands of miles of wilderness in search of rare plants, many of which on reaching England were worth hundreds of pounds each!This was all the poor botanist had for enriching the gardens of Kew, andsending over the first magnolias and tulip-trees that ever blossomed inEngland! What did the scientific naturalists do for him? They stolehis histories and descriptions, and published them under their ownnames. Now, brothers, what think you of it? Is it not enough to spoilone's temper when one reflects upon such injustice?"

Both Basil and Francois signified their assent. 

"It is to such men as Hearne, and Bartram, and Wilson, that we areindebted for all we know of natural history--at least, all that is worthknowing. What to us is the dry knowledge of scientific classifications?For my part, I believe that the authors of them have obscured ratherthan simplified the knowledge of natural history. Take an example. There is one before our eyes. You see those long streamers hanging downfrom the live oaks?"

"Yes, yes, " replied Francois; "the Spanish moss. "

"Yes, Spanish moss, as we call it here, or _old-man's-beard_ moss, asthey name it in other parts. It is no moss, however, but a regularflowering plant, although a strange one. Now, according to thesephilosophic naturalists, that long, stringy, silvery creeper, that looksvery like an old man's beard, is of the same family of plants as thepineapple!"

"Ha! ha! ha!" roared Francois; "Spanish moss the same as a pineappleplant! Why, they are no more like than my hat is to the steeple of achurch. "

"They are unlike, " continued Lucien, "in every respect--in appearance, in properties, and uses; and yet, were you to consult the dry books ofthe closet-naturalists, you would learn that this Spanish moss(_Tillandsia_) was of a certain family of plants, and a few particularsof that sort, and that is all you would learn about it. Now what is thevalue of such a knowledge? What is it to compare with a knowledge ofthe appearance, the structure, and character of the plant--of itsproperties and the ends for which nature designed it--of its uses to thebirds and beasts around--of its uses to man--how it makes his mattressto sleep on, stuffs his sofas, and saddles, and chairs equal to the besthorse-hair, and would even feed his horse in case of a pinch? In myopinion, these are the facts worth knowing; and who are the men whopublish such facts to the world? Not your closet-naturalists, I fancy. "

"True, very true, brother; but let us not vex ourselves about suchthings; go on, and tell us what you know of the crocodiles. "

"Well, then, " said Lucien, returning to his natural tone and manner, "asI have already said, the crocodiles are divided into threegenera--_crocodiles_, _gavials_, and _alligators_. It is Baron Cuvierwho has made this distinction; and he rests it more upon the shape ofthe head and the set of the teeth, than upon any real difference in theappearance or habits of these animals. The crocodiles have long, pointed, narrow snouts, and a large tooth in each side of the lower jaw, which, when the mouth shuts, passes into a groove in the upper. `Theseare the _true_ crocodiles, ' says Monsieur Cuvier. The gavials have alsolong, pointed, narrow, roundish snouts, but their teeth are nearlyequal-sized and even. The alligators, on the contrary, have broadpike-shaped noses, with teeth very unequal, and one large one on eachside of the lower jaw, that, when the mouth shuts, passes--not into agroove as with the crocodile--but, into a hole or socket in the upperjaw. These are Monsieur Cuvier's distinctions; which he takes a worldof pains to point out and prove. He might, in my opinion, have sparedhimself the trouble, as there are so few varieties of the animal inexistence, that they might have been treated of with greater simplicityas so many species of the genus `crocodile. '

"Of the true crocodiles there are five species known. Four of these arefound in the rivers of Africa, while the fifth is an inhabitant of theWest Indies and South America. The gavial is found in Asia--particularly in the Ganges and other Indian rivers, and is the crocodileof those parts. The alligator belongs to America, where it isdistributed extensively both in North and South America. In the Spanishparts it is called `caiman, ' and there are two species well-known, vizthe spectacled caiman of Guiana, and the alligator of the Mississippi. No doubt, when the great rivers of South America have been properlyexplored, it will come to light, that there are other varieties thanthese. I have heard of a species that inhabits the Lake Valencia inVenezuela, and which differs from both the American species mentioned. It is smaller than either, and is much sought after by the Indians forits flesh, which these people eat, and of which they are particularlyfond. It is probable, too, that new species of crocodiles may yet befound in Africa and the islands of the Indian Ocean. 

"Now I think it is a well-ascertained fact, that all these varieties ofthe crocodile family have pretty much the same habits, --differing onlywhere such difference might be expected by reason of climate, food, orother circumstances. What I shall tell you of the alligator, then, willapply in a general way to all his scaly cousins. You know his colour, --dusky-brown above, and dirty yellowish-white underneath. You know thathe is covered all over with scales, and you see that on his back thesescales rise into protuberances like little pyramids, and that a row ofthem along the upper edge of his tail give it a notched, saw-likeappearance. You notice that the tail is flattened vertically, and notlike the tail of the beaver, which is compressed horizontally. Youobserve that the legs are short and very muscular--that there are fivetoes on the fore-feet, slightly webbed or palmated, and four on thehind-feet much longer and much more webbed. You notice that his head issomewhat like that of a pike, that the nostrils are near the end of thesnout, the eyes prominent, and the opening of the ears just behind them. His eyes have dark pupils, with a lemon-coloured iris; and the pupilsare not round, as in the eye of a man, but of an oval shape, somethinglike those of a goat. 

"All these things you may observe by looking at an alligator. But thereare some things about the structure of the animal which are peculiar, and which may not strike you so readily. You observe that his jaws openfar back--even beyond the ears--where they are hinged or articulatedinto each other. Now this is a peculiar formation, and the effect is, that when the alligator opens his mouth, his neck becomes somewhat bentupwards, giving him the appearance of having moved the upper instead ofthe under jaw. "

"Why I have often heard that that was so, " remarked Francois. 

"Many have thought so, and said so, since the time of Herodotus, whofirst propagated this absurd idea. It is not the fact, however. It isthe lower jaw that moves, as in other vertebrated animals; but theappearance I have described leads to the mistake that has been made bycareless observers. There is another point worth speaking of. Theopening of the alligator's ear is guarded by a pair of lips, which hecloses the moment he goes under water. His nostrils, too, are protectedby valves, which he can also close at will. There is also a peculiarityabout his vertebrae. These are so jointed to each other, that he cannotturn without describing a circle with his body. He can move his headbut slightly to one side or the other; and this is a fortunatecircumstance, if not for him, at least for his enemies. Were he able toturn short round, or twist himself about, as serpents do, he would be amost dangerous creature to encounter. As it is, the great length of hisbody, combined with the shortness of his legs and the impossibility ofhis getting round quickly, renders him an easy antagonist on land, provided you keep out of reach of his great jaws, and beyond the sweepof his powerful tail. This last is his true weapon of offence ordefence; and as _it_ is not restrained by any vertebrae, he can use itwith such effect as to knock the breath out of a man with one singleflap. Many of the habits of the alligator are known to you. How thefemale lays eggs as big as those of a goose, and buries them in thesand, where they are hatched by the heat of the sun. Sometimes shecannot find a sandbank to suit her purpose. She then raises a circularplatform of mud mixed with grass and sticks. Upon this she deposits alayer of eggs, and covers them over with several inches of mud andgrass. She then lays a fresh tier of eggs, covering these also withmud, and so on until she has laid her whole hatching, which oftenamounts to nearly two hundred eggs, of a dirty greenish-white colour. In the end she covers all up with mud, plastering it with her tail untilit assumes the appearance of a mud oven or beaver-house. All thesepains she takes to protect her eggs from raccoons and turtles, as wellas vultures and other birds, that are very fond of them. She hauntsnear the spot while the eggs are hatching, so as to keep off theseenemies. When the young are out, her first care is to get them to thewater out of the way of such dangers. This seems to be their firstinstinct, too; for no sooner are they free from the shell than they areseen scuttling off in that direction, or following their mother, many ofthem having climbed upon her back and shoulders. "

"But, brother, " interrupted Francois, "is it true that the old males eattheir own young?"

"Horrible though it be, it is perfectly true, Francois. I myself haveseen it. "

"And I, " said Basil, "several times. "

"The first care of the mother is to get them to the water, where she canbetter conceal them from their unnatural parent; but, notwithstandingall her precautions, many of them fall victims, both to the oldalligators, and the larger tortoises, and birds. As soon as the youngones have learned a little sense, if I may so speak, they elude theirmonster fathers and uncles, as they are nimbler in their movements, andcan keep out of reach of their great jaws and tails. I have often seenthe small alligators riding upon the backs of the larger ones, knowingthat the latter could not reach them in that situation. "

"They appear to eat anything that comes in their way, " remarkedFrancois. 

"They are not very particular as to that. Fish is their favourite food, I believe, but they will eat any land animal they can kill; and it isbelieved they prefer it in a state of putrefaction. That is a doubtfulpoint. They have been known to kill large animals in the water, andleave them at the bottom for several days; but this may have happenedbecause they were not hungry at the time, and were merely keeping themuntil they should get an appetite. The process of digestion with them, as with all reptiles, is very slow; hence they do not require suchquantities of food as the warm-blooded animals--mammals and birds. Forinstance, they bury themselves in the mud, and lie asleep during thewhole winter without any food. "

"You say fish is their favourite food, Luce, " said Basil; "now I thinkthey are fonder of dogs than anything else. I have often known them tocome where they had heard the yelping of a dog as if for the purpose ofdevouring it. I have seen one seize a large dog that was swimmingacross the Bayou Boeuf, and drag him under, as quick as a trout wouldhave taken a fly. The dog was never seen again. "

"It is very true, " replied Lucien, "that they will eat dogs, as theywill any other animals; but their being particularly fond of them is apoint about which naturalists differ. It is true they will approach thespot where they hear the yelping of a dog; but some say that this isbecause it so much resembles the whining of their own young, and that itis these they are in search of. "

"But I have seen both the males and females make towards the dog. "

"Just so. The males went to devour the young, as they thought, and thefemales followed to protect them. Great battles are often foughtbetween the males and females on this account. "

"But how is it, Luce, " inquired Francois, "how is it they can catch fishthat appear so much swifter than themselves?"

"Very few kinds of fish are swifter. The alligator, by means of hiswebbed feet, and particularly his flat tail--which acts on the principleof a stern-oar to a boat, and a rudder as well--can pass through thewater as swiftly as most of the finny tribe. It is not by hunting itdown, however, but by stratagem, that the alligator secures a fish forhis maw. "

"By what stratagem?"

"You have often noticed them floating on the surface of the water, bentinto a sort of semicircular shape, and without moving either body orlimb?"

"Yes--yes; I have noticed it many a time. "

"Well, if you could have looked under the water then, you would haveseen a fish somewhere upon the convex side of the semicircle. The fishwould be at rest--no doubt, watching the surface for his own prey: suchflies or beetles as might come along. Thus occupied, he does not heedthe great dusky mass that is gliding slowly towards him, and whichpresents no threatening appearance--for the head of the alligator is atthis time turned away from his intended victim. Although apparentlyasleep, the alligator knows what he is about well enough. He floatssilently on, until he has got the fish within sweep of his great tail, that is all the while bent like a bow; and then, taking sure aim, hestrikes the unconscious prey a `slap' that kills it at once--sometimesthrowing it directly into his jaws, and sometimes flinging it severalfeet out of the water!

"When on land the alligator strikes his prey in a similar manner. As hegives the blow, his head turns so as to meet the tail half-way--thewhole body thus forming a semicircle. Should the prey not be killed bythe blow of the tail, it is flung right into the jaws of the monster, where it is sure to be despatched in a trice. "

"But, brother, " inquired Basil, "why do the alligators eat stones andsuch substances? I have seen one that was opened, and his stomach wasnearly quarter full of stones as big as my fist, and pieces of sticksand glass. They looked as if they had been there a long time, for thesharp edges were worn off. This I never could understand. "

"No wonder, for wiser naturalists than we do not know the reason ofthis. Some think it is upon the same principle, and for the samereason, that birds and other creatures swallow gravel and earth--toassist the process of digestion. Others have affirmed that it is forthe purpose of distending the stomach, so as to enable the reptile tobear his long fast while torpid during the winter. This latter reason Ilook upon as very absurd, and worthy only of the fabulous Buffon. Formy part, I believe that the rubbish usually found in the alligator'sstomach is collected there by accident--swallowed, from time to time, bymistake, or along with his prey; for his organs of taste are far frombeing delicate, and he will devour anything that is flung into thewater, even a glass bottle. These substances, of course, remain in hisstomach--perhaps accumulating there during his whole lifetime--and as, like most reptiles, his stomach being very strong, they do him little, if any, injury. We must not judge of an alligator's stomach as we wouldthat of a human being; nor, indeed, of any of his organs. If our brainis seriously injured, we die; but an alligator's brain may be altogetherremoved, even in the most violent manner, and the animal will crawl offand live for days after. Instances have been known of alligators havinghad their brains blown out by a shot, and yet for hours after they wouldgive battle to any one who might approach them. Their brain, like thatof all reptiles, is exceedingly small--proving them lower in the scaleof intelligence than birds and mammals. "

"But, Lucien, you tell us that the habits of the crocodile family arealike, or nearly so: how comes it that the African crocodiles are somuch more fierce, as we have heard, often attacking and devouring thenatives of Senegal and the Upper Nile? Our alligators are not so. Itis true they sometimes bite the legs of our negroes; and we have heardalso of some boys who have been killed by them; but this was whenthrough negligence they came in the animals' way. They do not attackone if they are left alone. We, for instance, are not a bit afraid toapproach them with only a stick in our hands. "

"That is, because we feel certain they are too clumsy on land to get atus, as we can easily leap out of the reach of their tails and jaws. Howwould you like to swim across that bayou at this moment? I dare say youwould not venture it. "

"Not a bit of it--you are right there. "

"And if you did, you would, in all probability, be attacked before youcould reach the opposite shore. But our alligators are not now whatthey were an hundred years ago. We know, from the best authority, thatthey were then much more fierce and dangerous, and often attacked menwithout provocation. They have grown afraid of _us_, because they knowthat we are dangerous to them; and they can easily distinguish ourupright form and shape from those of other animals. Look how they havebeen hunted by men during the mania for alligator-leather, and see howmany of them are still killed for their oil and tails. It is quitenatural, then, they should fear us; and you may notice they are muchmore timid near the plantations and settlements than in the wilderparts. I have no doubt--and I have so heard it--that there are placesin the great swamps where they are still dangerous to approach. Thosewho assert that the African crocodiles are more fierce, do not drawtheir conclusions from facts. The caimans of South America--and theseare alligators--are quite as fierce as the crocodiles. I have read manyaccounts of their attacking the natives of Guiana and Brazil, anddevouring them, too. Much of this is fabulous, no doubt; but there aresome stories of the kind well authenticated, and I have heard one whichI am certain is true. I shall relate it, if you desire, though it is avery horrible and very melancholy tale, and I could well wish it had notbeen true. "

"Oh! tell it--tell it us, " cried Francois. "We can bear the narrative;neither Basil nor I have weak nerves. Have we, Basil?"

"No, " replied Basil. "I guess we can stand it, Frank. Go on, Luce. "

"Very well, then, " said Lucien, "I shall give it, as it is not long, andis therefore not likely to weary you. "

CHAPTER NINE. 

THE INDIAN MOTHER AND CAIMAN. 

"There is, perhaps, no part of America where the alligators grow to agreater size, and are more fierce in their nature, than upon theMagdalena, and other great rivers that run into it. These rivers flowthrough a low country within the tropics; their climate is of thehottest kind, and consequently most suitable to the development of thegreat reptiles. The indolent character of the natives, too--half-Indian, half-Spanish--prevents them from attacking and destroyingthese creatures with that energy that is exhibited by the inhabitants ofour own country. The consequence is, that the animals in their turn areless afraid of man, and often make him their prey. The alligators ofthe Magdalena--or `caimans, ' as they are there called--frequentlydestroy natives, who by any unlucky accident may have fallen into thewaters frequented by them. Not unfrequently the boatmen (_bogadores_)who navigate the river Magdalena in their _bogas_, or flat boats, dropoverboard, and become the prey of the caimans, as sailors on the oceando of sharks. These boatmen sometimes carry rifles, for the purpose ofshooting the caimans; yet there are but few destroyed in this way, asthe bogadores are too much occupied in navigating their crafts; and, moreover, it is a very difficult thing to kill an alligator by a shot. You can only do it by sending the bullet into his eye, as the rest ofhis body is impervious even to a musket-ball. Of course, to hit one inthe eye requires a sure aim, and a good opportunity when the animal islying still upon the bank or on the water. When out of the water acaiman may be shot in the soft elastic skin behind the fore-shoulder;but this is a very uncertain method of killing one; and several shotsfired into his body at this part will often fail to prove fatal. Sometimes the natives of the Magdalena catch the caimans with lassos;and after dragging them upon the bank, despatch them with axes andspears. Notwithstanding this, the caimans swarm upon these rivers, andare seldom molested by the inhabitants, except at intervals when somehorrid tragedy happens--when some unfortunate victim has been snatchedoff by them, torn in pieces, and devoured. When this occurs, thepeople, sympathising with the distress of their neighbour, awake fromtheir habitual apathy, collect together, and destroy great numbers ofthese hideous reptiles. The story I have promised you illustrates anaffair of this kind. 

"A _vaquero_ (cattle-herd) lived upon the Magdalena, some miles abovethe city of New Carthagena. His palm-thatched _rancho_, or cottage, stood at a little distance from the bank of the river, at a point whereit was much infested by caimans--as the country around was wild andthinly settled. The vaquero had a wife and one child, a daughter--whowas about six or seven years old; and being a pretty little girl, andthe only one, she was of course very dear to both the parents. 

"The vaquero was often absent from home--his business with his cattlecarrying him to a great distance into the woods. But his wife thoughtnothing of being thus left alone. She was an Indian woman, and used todangers, such as would terrify the females that live in great cities. 

"One day when her husband was absent as usual, looking after his cattle, this woman took some clothes to the river bank for the purpose ofwashing them. The river was the only water near the rancho; and by thuscarrying the clothes to it, she saved herself the trouble of fetchingthe water a good way; besides, there was a broad, smooth stone by thebank, where she was accustomed to beat out her linen. Her littledaughter accompanied her, carrying one of the bundles. 

"On reaching the spot, the woman filled her vessels with water, andcommenced her work; while the child, having nothing else to occupy her, began to gather some ripe guavas, plucking them from a tree that grewout from the bank, and hung somewhat over the river. While the Indianmother was thus engaged, she was startled by a wild scream and a plunge, that were heard almost together; and, on looking round, she saw herchild just sinking in the water. At the same time, she beheld a hideousobject--a huge caiman--making for the spot! Filled with horror, thewoman dropped her linen, and rushed out upon the bank. She did nothesitate a moment, but plunged into the river, which buried her to theneck. At that moment the child rose again to the surface. The motherseized her by the arms; and was about raising her out of the water, whenthe caiman swept forward open-mouthed, caught the limbs of the littlegirl, and with one crunch of his powerful jaws severed them from thebody! The little girl screamed again; but it was her last scream. Whenthe mother struggled to the shore, and laid the mutilated body upon thebank, the child had ceased to breathe. 

"For some moments sat the wretched mother, gazing upon the stillquivering remains. At intervals, she stooped down and kissed the pale, withering lips. She did not weep. I have said she was an Indian. Theydo not act as whites do; but, anyhow, her anguish was too keen to allowher tears to flow. She did not scream or call for help. It could be ofno use now. It was too late. She knew there was no one near--no onewithin miles of her. When she raised her eyes from the mangled corpse, it was only to rest them upon the black water, and there, under theshadow of the guava bushes, swam the hideous reptile, to and fro. Hehad swallowed the morsel, and was eagerly watching for more. 

"The countenance of the woman betrayed a mingled expression of agony andvengeance. All at once a thought seemed to strike her--a suddenresolve. She rose; and, casting a look first at the dead body, and thenupon the caiman, hurried off to the house. In a few minutes she cameback, bringing with her a long spear. It was the hunting-spear of herhusband--often used by him in his encounters with the Brazilian tiger, and other fierce creatures of the forest. She brought also severalother articles--a lasso, some cords of the _pita_, and a couple ofknives. 

"On arriving at the bank, she looked anxiously over. The caiman wasstill there; and she turned, and stood for a moment as if consideringwhat to do. Her mind was soon made up; and, bending forward, she thrustthe spear lengthwise through what remained of her child's body! It wasa fearful act, but the feeling of revenge was strong within her. Shenext caught the blade of the spear--now red with blood--and placing theknives lengthwise--so that they might serve as barbs--tied them firmlyupon it with the _pita_ cord. Close up to these she pushed the mangledbody, and then looped the lasso tightly to the shaft of the spear. Theother end she made fast to the trunk of a guava tree--for she well knewthat her own strength would avail but little against such a monster asthe caiman. 

"When all was ready she poised the shaft, and flung spear, body, andall, into the water. Then taking the rope in her hand, she crouchedbehind the bushes to await the result. 

"She had not long to wait. The reptile, thirsting for more blood, sawthe tempting morsel; and, darting forward, seized it in his huge jaws, crushing it in the act. The woman remained motionless, biding her time. 

"The caimans do not masticate their food. Their teeth are not formedfor that. They are only made for seizing; and the tongue--which theycannot extend forward--only serves to assist them in swallowing. In afew moments the body had disappeared down the capacious throat of themonster. Seeing this, the woman suddenly sprang to her feet, anddragged violently upon the rope, and the next moment a wild screamannounced that she had succeeded in her intentions. The barbed bladeshad taken hold, and the caiman was secured!

"Finding himself thus caught, the huge reptile dived to the bottom, thenrose again, bellowing loudly, and lashing the water into foam, the bloodall the while running from his jaws and nostrils. At intervals, hewould rush from point to point--until suddenly checked by the strongraw-hide lasso--making the tree shake with his great strength; and thishe did for a long while. His struggles at length grew fainter, and morefeeble, and he lay motionless in the water. Throughout all this scenethe mother sat upon the bank of the river, at times in deep silence anddejected, while at intervals her face would light up with a vengefulexpression as she cast her eyes upon the monster that had robbed her ofher child. 

"At length the gallop of a horse roused her from her reverie. Shelooked around. It was her husband!

"The melancholy tale was soon told; and shortly after was carried tothose that dwelt nearest them. The grief was general; and the sympathythat followed caused a general rising throughout the neighbourhood; andfor several days afterwards a war of extermination was waged against thecaimans. 

"This, brothers, " said Lucien, "is a true narrative; and, in fact, it isonly a year or two since the painful incident occurred. "

"And a painful incident it was, " cried Basil, with some excitement. "Thunder! it makes one hate those monsters so I feel like having a shotat one this very moment; besides I want a tooth for a powder-charger;"and as he said this, he took up his rifle, and stepped out to thewater's edge. None of the alligators appeared to be within range at themoment, though dozens of them were seen moving about on the bayou. 

"Hold, brother!" shouted Francois. "Have patience a little, and I'llbring them near enough. Place yourself in ambush, while I call them. "

Now one of Francois' accomplishments was an unusual talent for mimicry. He could imitate everything, from the crowing of a cock to the bellowingof a bull, and so naturally as to deceive even the animals themselves. Running down towards the bank, he crouched behind some yucca-bushes, andcommenced whining and barking like a young puppy. Basil also concealedhimself among the bushes. 

In a few seconds, several alligators were seen swimming over the bayou, coming from all sides at once. They were not long in reaching the bankwhere Francois lay concealed, and foremost of all a large male, throwingup his snout, crawled out of the water. He was calculating, no doubt, on making a meal of something; but was doomed to disappointment, andworse than that, for the sharp crack of Basil's rifle rang upon the air, and the hideous reptile rolled over in the mud; and, after sprawlingabout for a while, lay motionless. He was quite dead, as the well-aimedrifle had sent a bullet right into his eye. 

Basil and Francois now showed themselves--as they did not care to wastetheir ammunition by shooting any more--and the rest of the alligators, seeing them, swam off faster than they had come. By the aid of Lucien'shatchet, the largest teeth were knocked out of the jaws of the one thathad been killed; and the horrid carcass was left where it lay, to feedthe wolves and vultures, or anything else that chose to make a meal ofit. 

After cooking a pot of coffee and a venison-steak for supper, ouradventurers spread their buffalo-robes within the tent, and went to restfor the night. 

Next morning they were astir by daybreak; and after breakfastingheartily, they saddled their horses, and resumed their journey. 

CHAPTER TEN. 

THE FOOD OF THE SILKWORM. 

After leaving Bayou Crocodile, our young hunters travelled due west, over the prairies of Opelousas. They did not expect to fall in withbuffalo on these great meadows. No. The bison had long since forsakenthe pastures of Opelousas, and gone far westward. In his placethousands of long horned cattle roamed over these plains; but these, although wild enough, belonged to owners, and were all marked and tendedby mounted herdsmen. There were white settlements upon the prairies ofOpelousas, but our adventurers did not go out of their way to visitthem. Their purpose was to get far beyond; and they did not wish tolose time. 

They crossed numerous bayous and rivers, generally running southwardinto the Mexican Gulf. The shallow ones they forded, while those thatwere too deep for fording, they swam over upon their horses. Theythought nothing of that--for their horses, as well as the mule Jeanetteand the dog Marengo, were all trained to swim like fishes. 

After many days' travel they reached the banks of the river Sabine, which divides Louisiana from Texas, then a part of the Mexicanterritory. The face of the country was here very different from most ofthat they had passed over. It was more hilly and upland; and thevegetation had altogether changed. The great dark cypress haddisappeared, and pines were more abundant. The forests were lighter andmore open. 

There was a freshet in the Sabine; but they swam across it, as they haddone other rivers, and halted to encamp upon its western bank. It wasstill only a little after noon, but as they had wet their baggage incrossing, they resolved to remain by the river for the rest of the day. They made their camp in an open space in the midst of a grove of lowtrees. There were many open spaces, for the trees stood wide apart, andthe grove looked very much like a deserted orchard. Here and there atall magnolia raised its cone-shaped summit high above the rest, and ahuge trunk of one of these, without leaves or branches, appeared at somedistance, standing like an old ruined tower. 

The ground was covered with flowers of many kinds. There were bluelupins and golden helianthi. There were malvas and purple monardas, andflowers of the cotton-rose, five inches in diameter. There wereblossoms of vines, and creeping plants, that twined around the trees, orstretched in festoons from one to another--the cane-vine with its whiteclusters, and the raccoon grape, whose sweet odours perfumed the air;but by far the most showy were the large blossoms of the bignonia, thatcovered the festoons with their trumpet-shaped corollas, exhibitingbroad surfaces of bright scarlet. 

In the midst of these flowers our hunters pitched camp, picketing theiranimals, and putting up their tent as usual. 

The sun was shining brightly, and they proceeded to spread their wetrobes and blankets. 

"It strikes me, " said Lucien, after they had completed theirarrangements for camping, "that we have halted on the site of an oldIndian town. "

"Why do you think so?" asked Basil. 

"Why, I notice these heaps of rubbish here that are covered with weedsand briars. They are Indian graves, or piles of decayed logs wherehouses once stood. I can tell from the trees, too. Look around! do yousee anything peculiar in these trees?"

"Nothing, " replied Basil and Francois together. "Nothing, except thatthey are mostly small and low. "

"Do you not observe anything odd in their species?"

"No, " said Basil. "I think I have seen them all before. There aremulberry-trees, and black walnuts, and Chicasaw plums, and pawpaws, andOsage orange, and shell-bark hickories, and pecans, and honey-locusts. I see no others except vines, and those great magnolias. I have seenall these trees before. "

"Yes, " returned Lucien, "but have you ever observed them all growingtogether in this way?"

"Ah! that is a different affair: I believe not. "

"Because it is from that fact, " continued Lucien, "that I am led tobelieve this spot was once the seat of an Indian settlement. Thesetrees, or others that produced them, have been planted here, and by theIndians. "

"But, brother Luce, " interposed Francois, "I never heard that theIndians of these parts made such settlements as this must have been. These low woods extend down the river for miles. They must have had alarge tract under cultivation. "

"I think, " replied Lucien, "the Indians who at present inhabit thisregion never planted these trees. It is more likely a settlement of theancient nation of the Natchez. "

"The Natchez! Why, that is the name of a town on the Mississippi, but Idid not know there were Indians of that name. "

"Neither are there now; but there once was a very extensive tribe socalled who occupied the whole territory of Louisiana. It is said that, like the Mexicans and Peruvians, they had made some progress incivilisation, and knew how to weave cloth and cultivate the soil. Theyare now an extinct race. "

"How came that about?"

"No one can tell. Some of the old Spanish authors say that they weredestroyed by Indians from South America. This story, however, is veryabsurd--as is, indeed, most of what has been written by these same oldSpanish authors, whose books read more like the productions of childrenthan of reasoning men. It is far more likely that the Natchez wereconquered by the Creeks and Chicasaws, who came from the south-west oftheir country; and that the remnant of their tribe became blended withand lost among the conquerors. In my opinion, this is how they havecome to be extinct. Why, then, should not this be one of their ancientsettlements, and these trees the remains of their orchards, cultivatedby them for their fruits and other uses?"

"But _we_ make but little use of such trees, " remarked Francois. 

"What's that you say?" exclaimed Basil. "You, Francois, who every yeareat such quantities of shell-bark nuts, and pecans, and red mulberries, too!--you who suck persimmons like a 'possum!--no use, eh?"

"Well, that's true enough, " rejoined Francois, "but still we do notcultivate these trees for their fruits--we find them in the woods, growing naturally. "

"Because, " interrupted Lucien, "we have the advantage of the Indians. We understand commerce, and get other and better sorts of fruits fromall parts of the world. We have cereals, too, such as wheat and rice, and many kinds which they had not; we can therefore do without thesetrees. With the Indians it was different. It is true they had theIndian corn or maize-plant (_Zea maiz_), but, like other people, theywere fond of variety; and these trees afforded them that. The Indiannations who lived within the tropics had variety enough. In fact, nopeople without commerce could have been better off in regard tofruit-bearing plants and trees than the Aztecs, and other tribes of theSouth. The Natchez, however, and those in the temperate zone, had theirtrees and plants as well--such as those we see before us--and from thesethey drew both necessary food, and luxurious fruits and beverages. Indeed the early colonists did the same; and many settlers in remoteplaces make use to this day of these spontaneous productions of Nature. "

"Would it not be interesting, Basil, " said Francois, appealing to hiselder brother, "if Lucien would give a botanical description of allthese trees, and tell us their uses? He knows all that. "

"Yes, " replied Basil, "I should like to hear it. "

"That I shall do with pleasure, " said Lucien. "Not, however, a_botanical_ description, according to the sense of the Linnean school, as that would weary you soon enough, without adding much to your stockof information. I shall only state what I know of their properties anduses; and I may remark that there is not a tree or plant that is notintended for some use in the economy of Nature. If botanists had spenttheir time in trying to discover these uses, instead of wasting it inidle classifications, mankind would have been more enriched by theirlabours. 

"Let us begin, then, with the mulberry-tree, as there are many of themgrowing around. Were I to tell you all about this valuable tree, Ishould occupy a day or more. I shall only state those facts about itthat are most interesting. 

"The mulberry-trees form the genus _morus_--for this was the name bywhich they were known to the ancient Greeks. Of this genus there areseveral well-known species. No doubt there may be other species growingin wild countries, and yet unknown or undescribed by botanists; and thisremark applies as well to other trees, for every day we hear of newvarieties being discovered by enterprising explorers. 

"First, then, comes the white mulberry (_Morus alia_). It is the mostimportant species yet known. This you will readily admit when I tellyou that from it comes all our silk--spun out of it by the silkworm(_Bombyx mori_). It is called white mulberry on account of the colourof its fruit, which, however, is not always white, but sometimes of apurple or black colour. Now it would be difficult to give an exactdescription of a white mulberry-tree; for, like the apple and peartrees, there are many varieties of it produced from the same seeds, andalso by difference of soil and climate. It is a small tree, however, rarely growing over forty feet high, with thick leaves and numerousbranches. The leaves are the most important part of it--for it is uponthese the silkworms feed, spinning their fine threads out of the milkyjuice, which in its properties resembles the juice of the caoutchouctree. It is true that the silkworm will feed upon the other species ofmulberries, and also upon slippery elms, figs, lettuce, beets, endive, and many kinds of leaves besides; but the silk made from all these is ofan inferior quality; and even the varieties of the white mulberry itselfproduce different qualities of this beautiful material. 

"This tree has other uses. Its wood is compact and heavy, weighingforty-four pounds to the cubic foot. In France it is much used inturnery; and wine-casks are made from it, as it gives to white wines anagreeable flavour of violets. Vine-props and fences are made from itsbranches; and out of its bark--by a process which I have not time todescribe--a cloth can be manufactured almost as fine as silk itself. The fruit of the white mulberry--where it grows in warm climates--isvery good to eat, and makes an excellent syrup. 

"The white mulberry, it is supposed, first came from China, where it isstill found growing wild; and the Chinese first cultivated it forfeeding silkworms as early as 2700 years before the Christian era. Thetree is now found in every civilised country, growing either as anornament of the shrubbery, or for the manufacture of silk. 

"The next species is the black mulberry (_Morus nigra_), so called onaccount of the colour of its fruit, which is of a dark purple, nearlyblack. This kind came originally from Persia, but is now, like thewhite mulberry, found in all civilised countries. It is cultivated morefor ornament and shade than for feeding silkworms; though it is put tothis use in some parts, especially in cold climates, where the otherspecies does not thrive. They are easily distinguished from eachother--the bark of the black being much rougher and darker. The wood ofthe latter is not so firm nor heavy as the white, but it is alsodurable, and is used in England for hoops, wheels, and ribs of smallvessels. In Spain, Italy, and Persia, they prefer the leaves of theblack for feeding the silkworm. They are also eaten by cattle, sheep, and goats. The roots when prepared are used as a vermifuge. The fruithas a pleasant aromatic taste; and is eaten both raw and in preserves, or mixed with cider makes an agreeable drink. The Greeks distil a clearweak brandy out of them; and in France they make a wine from thesemulberries--which must be drunk while it is new, as it soon turns tovinegar. This fruit is good for fevers and rheumatisms; and it is muchsought after by birds and all kinds of poultry, who devour it greedily. 

"So much for the white and black mulberry-tree. We now come to thethird species, the red (_Morus rubra_). 

"That is the red before your face, " continued Lucien, pointing to thetrees, which he had already designated. "It is so called from thefruit, which, as you know, are of a dark red colour, and resemble redraspberries more than anything in the world. Some of these trees, yousee, are nearly seventy feet in height, though it usually does not reachso high. You notice the leaves. The are heart-shaped, many of them teninches long, and nearly as broad as long. They are dark green andrough, and for feeding the silkworm quite useless where the whitemulberry grows. They form a delightful shade, however; and this is oneof the uses of this beautiful tree. The fruit, too, is, in my opinion--and I think Francois will agree with me--quite equal to the bestraspberries. As for the wood, it is much used in the dockyards of theSouthern states. It is of a pale lemon colour; and is considered moredurable for trenails than any other--that of the locust excepted. 

"The red mulberry, like the white and black species, runs into severalvarieties, differing considerably from each other. 

"There is still a fourth species of this genus, called the papermulberry (_Morus papyrifera_). This, however, has been separated bybotanists into another genus; but it is worth a word here, as it is avery curious and valuable tree, or, rather, a large shrub, for it doesnot grow so tall as either of the other three. It is a native of China, Japan, and the islands of the Pacific Ocean; but, like the others, it iscultivated for ornament both in Europe and America. Its fruit, which isof a scarlet colour, is globe-shaped, and not oblong, as that of thetrue mulberries; and this is one reason why it has been separated into agenus by itself. Its leaves are of no use for silk-making, but theymake excellent food for cattle; and as the tree grows rapidly, andcarries such large bunches of leaves, some people have said that itwould yield better than grass, and should be cultivated for pasture. Ido not know whether this has been tried yet. The most interesting partof the paper mulberry is its bark, which is used in the manufacture ofpaper both in China and Japan. The beautiful India paper used forengravings is made from it, and so, too, is the fine white cloth worn bythe natives of the Society Islands, and which so much astonishedEuropeans when they first saw it. It would be interesting to detail theprocess of manufacturing this cloth as well as the paper, but it wouldtake up too much of our time at present. 

"There is another genus of trees which resembles the mulberries verymuch. They are valuable for their wood, which produces a fine yellowdye, known by the name of `fustic-wood. ' The tree that produces thebest of this dye is the _Morus tinctoria_, and grows in the West Indiesand tropical America; but there is a species found in the southernUnited States, of an inferior kind, which produces the `bastard fustic'of commerce. 

"So much, then, for the mulberry-tree; but I fear, brothers, I have leftbut little time to describe the others. "

"Oh! plenty of time, " said Basil; "we have nothing else to do. We arebetter learning from you than rambling idly about; and upon my word, Luce, you make me begin to take an interest in botany. "

"Well, I am glad of that, " rejoined Lucien, "for I hold it to be ascience productive of much good, not only on account of its utility inthe arts and manufactures, but to the mind of the student himself; for, in my belief, it has a refining influence. "

And Lucien was about to continue his description of the trees, when aseries of incidents occurred which put an end to the conversation, atleast upon that subject. 

These incidents are recorded in the chapter which follows. 

CHAPTER ELEVEN. 

THE CHAIN OF DESTRUCTION. 

Directly in front of the tent, and at no great distance from it, a thicknetwork of vines stretched between two trees. These trees were largetupelos, and the vines, clinging from trunk to trunk and to one another, formed an impenetrable screen with their dark green leaves. Over theleaves grew flowers, so thickly as almost to hide them--the wholesurface shining as if a bright carpet had been spread from tree to treeand hung down between them. The flowers were of different colours. Some were white and starlike, but the greater number were the largescarlet cups of the trumpet-vine (_bignonia_). 

Francois, although listening to his brother, had for some time kept hiseyes in that direction, as if admiring the flowers. All at once, interrupting the conversation, he exclaimed, --

"_Voila_! look yonder--humming-birds!"

Now the sight of humming-birds is not so common in America as travellerswould have you believe. Even in Mexico, where the species are numerous, you will not see them every day. Indeed, you may not notice them atall, unless you are specially looking for them. They are such smallcreatures, and fly so nimbly--darting from flower to flower and tree totree--that you may pass along without observing them, or perhaps mistakethem for bees. In the United States, however, where only one specieshas yet been noticed, the sight is a rare one, and generally interestingto those who witness it. Hence Francois' exclamation was one ofsurprise and pleasure. 

"Where are they?" inquired Lucien, starting up in an interested manner. 

"Yonder, " replied Francois, "by the trumpet flowers. I see several, Ithink. "

"Softly, brothers, " said Lucien; "approach them gently, so as not tofright them off--I wish to make some observations upon them. "

As Lucien said this, he walked cautiously forward, followed by Basil andFrancois. 

"Ah!" exclaimed Lucien, as they drew near, "I see one now. It is theruby-throat (_Trochilus colubris_). He is feeding on the bignonias. They are fonder of them than any other blossoms. See! he has gone upinto the funnel of the flower. Ha! he is out again. Listen to hiswhirring wings, like the hum of a great bee. It is from that he takeshis name of `humming-bird. ' See his throat, how it glitters--just likea ruby!"

"Another!" cried Francois; "look above! It is not near so pretty as thefirst. Is it a different species?"

"No, " replied Lucien, "it is the female of the same; but its colour isnot so bright, and you may notice that it wants the ruby-throat. "

"I see no others, " said Francois, after a pause. 

"I think there are but the two, " remarked Lucien, "a male and female. It is their breeding season. No doubt their nest is near. "

"Shall we try to catch them?" inquired Francois. 

"That we could not do, unless we had a net. "

"I can shoot them with small shot. "

"No, no, " said Lucien, "the smallest would tear them to pieces. Theyare sometimes shot with poppy-seeds, and sometimes with water. Butnever mind, I would rather observe them a bit as they are. I want tosatisfy myself upon a point. You may look for the nest, as you havegood eyes. You will find it near--in some naked fork, but not among thetwigs or leaves. "

Basil and Francois set about looking for the nest, while Luciencontinued to watch the evolutions of the tiny little creatures. The"point" upon which our young naturalist wished to be satisfied was, whether the humming-birds eat insects as well as honey--a point whichhas been debated among ornithologists. 

As he stood watching them a large humble-bee (_Apis bombylicus_) camewhizzing along, and settled in one of the flowers. Its feet hadscarcely touched the bright petals, when the male ruby-throat dartedtowards it, and attacked it like a little fury. Both came out of theflower together, carrying on their miniature battle as they flew; but, after a short contest, the bee turned tail, and flew off with anangry-like buzz, --no doubt, occasioned by the plying of his wings morerapidly in flight. 

A shout from Francois now told that the nest was discovered. There itwas, in the fork of a low branch, but without eggs as yet--else thebirds would not both have been abroad. The nest was examined by allthree, though they did not disturb it from its position. It was builtof fine threads of Spanish moss (_Tillandsia_), with which it was tiedto the branch; and it was lined inside with the silken down of theanemone. It was a semi-sphere, open at the top, and but one inch indiameter. In fact, so small was the whole structure, that any one butthe sharp-eyed, bird-catching, nest-seeking Francois, would have takenit for a knob on the bark of the tree. 

All three now returned to watch the manoeuvres of the birds, that, nothaving seen them by the nest, still continued playing among the flowers. The boys stole as near as possible, keeping behind a large bunch ofhanging vines. Lucien was nearest, and his face was within a few feetof the little creatures, so that he could observe every motion theymade. He was soon gratified with a sight that determined his "point"for him. A swarm of small blue-winged flies attracted his attention. They were among the blossoms, sometimes resting upon them, and sometimesflitting about from one to another. He saw the birds several times dashat them with open bills, and pick them from their perch; so the questionwas decided--the humming-birds were insect-eaters. 

After a while the female flew off to her nest, leaving the male stillamong the flowers. 

The curiosity of the boys was now satisfied, and they were about toreturn to the tent, when Lucien suddenly made a motion, whispering theothers to remain silent. Francois first caught sight of the objectwhich had caused this behaviour on the part of his brother, and thenBasil saw it. A hideous object it was!

Crouching among the leaves, now crawling sideways, now making shortsprings, and then hiding itself, went a fearful-looking creature. Itwas about the size of one of the birds, but far different in appearance. Its body consisted of two pieces, joined about the middle, and coveredall over with a reddish-brown wool or hair, that stood upright likebristles. It had ten limbs--long, crooked, and covered with hair, likethe body--two curved claw-like antennae or feelers in front, and twohorns projecting behind, so that, but for the sharp fiery eyes of thecreature, it would have been difficult to tell its head from its hinderpart. Its rusty colour, its ill-shaped body, and hairy legs, combinedwith the piercing look from its eyes, gave it a most vicious appearance, such as belongs, less or more, to all of its race--for it was of therace _aranea_, or spiders. 

"The _leaping tarantula_!" whispered Lucien to his brothers. "See, " hecontinued, "it is after the ruby-throat!"

This was evident. Step by step, and leap after leap, it was approachingthe cluster of blossoms where the humming-bird was at the momentengaged. Its eyes were bent eagerly upon the latter; and whenever itflew up from the flowers and whirred idly about, the tarantula squatteditself closely, hiding behind the leaves or shanks of the vines. On theother hand, when the bird settled a moment and appeared busily feeding, the skulking creature would advance a stage nearer, either by a quickrun or a leap, when it would again conceal itself and await a freshopportunity. As the bird flitted about a good deal, the spider hadfrequently to change its direction in following. The former after oneof its short flights, settled into a pet-flower directly in front ofwhere the latter lay crouching. It did not enter the cup of the flower, but remained at the mouth--poised upon its whirring wings--while withits long prehensile tongue it drew out the honey. It had scarcely beena moment in this position, when the tarantula sprang forward andclutched it round the body with his antennae. The bird, with a wildchirrup, like that of a distressed cricket, flew outward and upwards. Its wings were still free, and all expected it would carry off thespider that was now seen clinging around it. Not so, however. Ongetting a few feet from the flower its flight appeared to be suddenlychecked; and, although it still kept in the air, flying first one wayand then another, it was evident that something restrained it fromgetting clear off. On looking more attentively a fine silk-like linewas seen stretching from the trees to the fluttering creature. It wasthe thread of the spider, and this it was that prevented his victim fromcarrying him into the air. 

The little wings soon ceased to move, and both bird and spider fell tothe end of the thread, where they hung for a moment suspended. The boyscould see that the bird was dead, and the mandibles of the tarantulawere buried in its shining threat!

Francois would have rushed forward to kill the destroyer; but Lucien, who was too ardent a naturalist to have his lesson thus interrupted, restrained his more impetuous brother, and all three remained quiet asbefore. 

The tarantula now commenced reeling in his line, for the purpose ofcarrying his prey up among the branches, where he had his nest. Theboys looked upward to discover the latter. There, sure enough, was theweb, in a shaded corner, stretching its meshes from a large liana to thetrunk of the tupelo; and towards this point the spider now slowlyprogressed with his lifeless victim. 

As they watched his motions, their eyes were caught by a shining objectthat moved along the wrinkled bark of the liana. As the vine was nearlya foot in diameter, and of a deep ferruginous colour, this object wasthe more apparent against its dark ground, for it was a creature ofbrilliant hues. It was an animal of the lizard species; and if anylizard could be considered beautiful, this one might have been socalled. But the hideous, half-human form of these animals, theirpiercing looks, their stealthy and predatory habits, and, above all, theknowledge that the bite of several of their species is poisonous, combine to render them objects that excite disgust and awe, rather thanadmiration. 

This one, as we have already said, was of the most brilliant colour. The whole of its upper surface was a golden green, vivid as the hues ofan emerald; while its body underneath was greenish-white. But thispart, as it lay along the liana, was not seen; and a pure, uniform greenwas the apparent colour of the whole animal. There was one conspicuousexception--the throat. This was swollen out, as though by inflation, exhibiting a surface of the brightest scarlet, that appeared in the sunas if painted with vermilion. The eyes of the animal shone like flame--for the irides were, in fact, the colour of burnished gold, with smallpupils, sparkling like diamonds, in their midst. Its arms and limbswere of the same colour as the body; and its branching feet exhibitedthe peculiarity of having small knots or tubercules at the ends of thetoes. These tubercules, together with the loose dewlap of the throat, told the genus to which the animal belonged, --an _anolius_ of the family_Iguanidae_, and the only species of the anolius found in the territoryof the United States. 

These facts were communicated by Lucien to his brothers in a whisper, while they were observing the creature on the liana. Basil and Francoishad often seen the species before, and were familiar with it under thenames of "green lizard" and "chameleon, "--both of which names areapplied to it in common phraseology. The animal was not over six inchesin length; and its long coffin-shaped head, and slender, whip-like tail, were at least two-thirds of this extent. When first noticed, it waspassing up the liana, for the latter slanted upwards between the trees. It did not see the boys; or, at all events, did not regard theirpresence--for the chameleon is a bold little animal, and is not afraidof man. Up to this time it had not seen the tarantula either. As itwas passing onward, its eyes fell upon the latter as he climbed up hissilken ladder. All at once the lizard stopped, and put itself into acrouching attitude. Its colour suddenly changed. The vermilion throatbecame white, and then ashy pale; and the bright green of its body fadedinto dark brown or rust colour, until it was difficult to distinguishthe animal from the bark of the liana! Had the eyes of the spectatorsnot been already fixed upon it, they might have supposed that it haddisappeared altogether. After crouching for a few seconds, it seemed tohave formed its plan of attack--for it was evident that it meant toattack the spider--such, with flies and other insects, being its naturalfood and prey. It passed to the opposite side of the liana, and thenproceeded upward, making for the nest of the tarantula. It reached thispoint by a single run, although its back was downward as it crawled. This it could easily do by means of the tubercules upon its toes--whichenable lizards of the genus anolius to walk upon perpendicular walls, upglass windows, or along the smoothest ceilings. 

For some moments it lay quiet in a crouching attitude, waiting theapproach of the spider, that, busied with his own affairs, did not dreamof a lurking foe so near him. The tarantula was, no doubt, in highspirits at the moment, exulting at the prospect of the banquet of bloodhe should have, when he had carried the ruby-throat to his dark, silkencave. But he was destined never to reach that cave. When he had gotwithin a few inches of its entrance, the chameleon sprang out from thelimb, seized the spider in his wide jaws, and all three--lizard, spider, and bird--came to the ground together. The bird was let go in the fall, and became separated from the others. Between these there was a shortstruggle over the grass--for the tarantula fought fiercely; but he wasno match for his antagonist; who, in a few moments, had ground off hislegs with his powerful jaws, and left him a helpless and motionlesstrunk. The chameleon now seized his victim by the head, sunk his sharp, conical teeth into its skull, and thus killed it outright. 

What appeared singular to all was, that the moment the lizard had firstsprung upon his prey his bright colours returned like a flash, and heagain appeared with his green back and red throat, if possible morebrilliant than ever. 

He now commenced dragging the body of the spider over the grass, evidently making for some decayed logs, half covered with vines andbriars, that formed a heap near the spot. Here, no doubt was hisretreat. 

This time Francois did not attempt to interfere. He had no desire to doso. He looked upon the death of the tarantula as a just punishment;moreover, the chameleon, from its fine colours, its sportive habits, andits harmlessness--so far as man is concerned--is a general favouritewith all; and it was so with Francois. In fact, Francois, as well ashis brothers, who had often watched this little creature gambollingamong the leaves, and feeding upon flies and other small insects, hadnever seen it exhibit so much ferocity before. Notwithstanding this, they all applauded it for killing the hideous tarantula; and so far asthey were concerned, it might have carried the body to its hole withoutbeing molested. It was destined, however, to meet with interruptionfrom another quarter. Francois, whose quick eyes were wandering about, suddenly exclaimed, --

"Look--brothers, look! A _scorpion-lizard_!"

Basil and Lucien cast their eyes where Francois pointed--up to the trunkof a tree that rose over the spot where the chameleon was crawling. About twenty feet from the ground was a dark, round hole, evidently theformer nest of the red-bellied woodpecker (_Picus Carolinus_). Thebirds, however, who made that nest had deserted it; for it was nowoccupied by a creature of a far different kind--a scorpion-lizard--whosered head and brown shoulders at the moment protruded from the hole. 

All who have travelled the great American forests are familiar with sucha sight--for this animal may be often observed in similar situations. Amore disagreeable sight is rarely met with. The scorpion-lizard, withhis red head and olive-brown body, is a hideous-looking reptile at best;but when thus peering from his gloomy tree-cave, moving his pointedsnout from side to side, his dark eyes glancing all the while with afierce, malignant expression, it is difficult to conceive a morevicious-looking creature. 

His head was in motion when Francois spake--for it was this that hadcaught the eye of the boy. It was moving from side to side, protrudedout from the hole, the snout pointing downwards. The animal waswatching the ground below, and evidently preparing to issue forth, andcome down. The chameleon, rustling over the dead leaves, had attractedhis attention. 

As quick as lightning his whole body appeared upon the tree, and layflat along the bark, head downwards. Here he halted for a moment; then, raising his shoulders, he ran nimbly down the trunk, and rushingoutwards, sprang upon the chameleon. The latter, thus suddenlyattacked, dropped the spider; and at first showed an intention ofretreating. Had he done so the scorpion would have followed him nofarther--as its only object in attacking him was to rob him of his prey. The chameleon, however, is a courageous little animal; and seeing thathis assailant was not much bigger than himself--for the animal inquestion was one of the smallest of the skink family--he turned againand showed fight. His throat swelled to its largest extent, and grewbrighter than ever. 

Both now stood facing each other, and about twelve inches apart, inthreatening attitudes. Their eyes sparkled; their forked tongues shotforth, glittering in the sun; and their heads at intervals rose andfell, in a manoeuvring manner, like a pair of pugilists "coming to thescratch!"

After a short while they sprang at each other open-jawed; wriggled overthe ground a moment--their tails flying in the air--then separated, andagain assumed their defiant attitudes, manoeuvring as before. In thismanner they met and parted several times, neither seeming to have gainedmuch advantage. 

The weakest part of the green lizard lies in his tail. So tender isthis appendage that the slightest blow of a small switch will separateit from the body. The skink seemed to be aware of this fact, as heseveral times endeavoured to get around his antagonist, or, in militaryphraseology, to "turn" him. It was evidently his intention to attackthe tail. This the chameleon dreaded; and was equally desirous not tobe "outflanked. " In whatever way the skink manoeuvred, his antagonistmet him with his scarlet front. 

For several minutes the battle raged--these little creatures exhibitingas much fury and fierceness as if they had been a pair of greatcrocodiles. The chameleon at length began to show symptoms of givingout. The throat grew paler--the green became less vivid--and it wasevident that he was getting the worst of it. The scorpion now made arush, and threw the other upon his back. Before the chameleon couldrecover himself, his antagonist seized his tail, and bit it off close tothe body. The poor little fellow, feeling that he had lost more thanhalf his length, scuttled away, and hid himself among the logs. 

It was well for him, as it proved afterwards, that he got off, even thusmutilated; and it would have been better for the skink had he remainedin his hole. The battle between the two had carried them some distancefrom the spot where it first commenced, and under the leafy, spreadingbranches of a mulberry-tree. While the fight was raging, a slightmovement in the leaves above had attracted the attention of the boys. The next moment a red object was thrust downward, until a foot or so ofit appeared hanging clear of the branches. It was about the thicknessof a walking-cane; but the glistening scales and the elegant curvingform told that this singular object was a serpent. 

It did not remain stationary. It was slowly and gradually lettingitself down--for more of its body was every moment becoming visible, until a full yard of it hung out from the leaves. The remainder washidden by the thick foliage where its tail no doubt was coiled around abranch. That part of the body that was seen was of a uniform blood-redcolour, though the belly or under side was much the lightest. 

"_Voila_!" muttered Francois, "what a red snake! I never saw suchbefore. "

"Nor I either, " added Basil. 

"Nor I, " said Lucien, "but I have heard of it. I easily recognise itfrom the description. It is the `red snake' of the Rocky Mountains(_Coluber testacea_). "

"Oh, " said Basil, "I have heard trappers speak of it. "

"Yes, " added Lucien. "It is a rare species, and only found in the FarWest. See! the scorpion has whipped. The chameleon is running off, and, as I live, without its tail!"

The skink at this moment perceived the long, red body of the serpentdangling above him; and knowing from experience a terrible enemy, ranoff, endeavouring to hide himself in the grass. Instead of making for atree--where he might have escaped by his superior nimbleness--hisconfusion and terror led him out into the open ground. The snakedropped from the mulberry and glided after, with his head raised high inthe air, and his jaws wide open. In a second or two he overtook thelizard; and striking forward and downward, killed it upon the spot. 

Lucien was in raptures with the interesting lesson he was receiving; andagain restrained Francois from rushing forward. They all, however, crept a little nearer--so as the better to observe the further movementsof the serpent. They kept as well as possible behind the screen ofleaves and bushes. 

The snake, after having killed the lizard, remained out in the openground; and, stretching himself along the grass, commenced devouring it. Snakes do not masticate their food. Their teeth are not formed forthis, but only for seizing and killing. The blood-snake is notvenomous, and is, therefore, without fangs such as venomous snakespossess. In lieu of these he possesses a double row of sharp teeth;and, like the "black snake, " the "whip, " and others of the genuscoluber, he is extremely swift, and possesses certain powers ofconstriction, which are mostly wanting in serpents of the venomoustribes. Like all the others, he swallows his prey just as he kills it--whole. So with the one in question. Having placed the nose of thelizard _vis-a-vis_ with his own, he opened his jaws to their fullextent, took in the head, and commenced gradually sucking the body downhis throat. It was a curious operation; and the boys watched it withfeelings of interest. 

But other eyes were bent upon the reptile. His bright blood-colouredbody lying along the grass had caught the far-seeing eye of an enemy, whose dark shadow was now seen moving over the ground. On looking up, the boys beheld a large bird wheeling in the air. Its snow-white headand breast, the far spread, tapering wings, but, above all, the longforked tail, told them at a glance what bird it was. It was the greatSouthern kite (_Falco furcatus_). 

When first seen he was sailing in circles, --or rather in a spiral curve, that was constantly contracting downward and inward. The centre of thatcurve was the spot occupied by the snake. 

It was a beautiful sight to behold this creature cutting the thin air. His flight was the _beau ideal_ of ease and gracefulness--for in this nobird can equal the kite. Not a stroke of his long pointed wingsbetrayed that he needed their assistance; and he seemed to glory that hecould navigate the air without them. Besides, the motion of these, hadhe used them, might have caught the eye of his intended victim, andwarned it of the danger. I say it was a beautiful sight to watch him ashe swam through his aery circles, at one moment appearing all white--ashis breast was turned to the spectators--the next moment his black backand purple wings glittering in the sun, as sideways he guided himselfdown the spiral curve. It was a beautiful sight, and the young huntersstood gazing with silent admiration. 

Basil and Francois wondered that he did not at once pounce upon thesnake, for towards it his flight was evidently tending. They had seenother hawks do this--such as the red-tailed, the peregrine, and theosprey--which last sometimes shoots several hundred feet perpendicularlydown upon its prey. Lucien, however, knew better. He knew that thatfeat can be performed only by those hawks whose tails are full and notforked, as the bald eagle, and the species already named--theirspreading tails giving them the power to suddenly arrest the downwardmotion, and prevent them from dashing themselves against the earth. Thekites, on the other hand, have not that power; and in this arrangementLucien could perceive a beautiful adaptation of Nature--an equalising ofadvantages between these two kinds of birds. He reasoned thus:--

The hawks, although swift of wing, and capable of extended flight, cannot remain long in the air. They grow weary and need rest, whichthey take, perching themselves upon some tree. It may be observed, moreover, that they choose dead trees that overlook an open space. Theydo so, in order that the leaves may not obstruct their vision--thusgiving them a wider range, and, consequently, a better chance of espyingtheir prey. But even with this advantage their chances of seeing theirprey are circumscribed, when compared with that of hawks upon the wing;and they are frequently compelled to take to the air in order todiscover it. 

Now the kites are always in the air, or nearly so. They, in fact, _liveupon the wing_, eating their food as they fly, from their claws. Livingthus, they have many more chances of _seeing_ their prey than theircousins of the hawk species; and were they possessed of the power to_pounce_ upon it with as much certainty as the latter do, it is evidentthey would have greatly the advantage. The want of that capability, however, brings them upon an equality; and, as I have said, Lucienperceived in this that peculiar equilibrium, or "balance of power, "which constantly presents itself to the student of Nature. 

These thoughts passed through his mind at the moment. They occupied buta moment however--for it was but a few seconds from the time the kitewas first noticed wheeling high in the air, until he swept along thetops of the low trees, so close that the boys could distinguish the rediris of his glistening eyes. 

Now, for the first time, the snake caught sight of him. Hitherto it hadbeen too much occupied with its own prey, which it had succeeded inswallowing. The shadow of the broad wings fell upon the sunlit swarddirectly before its eyes. It looked up, and saw its terrible enemy. Itseemed to shiver through its whole length, and turn paler in colour. Itstruck its head into the grass, endeavouring to hide itself. It was toolate. The kite swooped gently downward; and, with open claw, poisedhimself a moment over the spot. As he rose again, the reptile was seenwriggling in his talons!

A few strokes of his bold wing carried the kite upward, above the topsof the tallest trees; but he was observed to fly heavily. As he rosehigher, the flapping of his wings became more hurried and irregular. Itwas evident that something was impeding his flight. The snake was nolonger hanging from his talons. The reptile had twined itself aroundhis body; and its glistening folds, like red bands, could be seenhalf-buried in the white plumage of the bird!

All at once the kite began to flutter--then one of his wingsdisappeared; and, notwithstanding the hurried flapping of the other, both bird and serpent fell heavily to the earth!

They fell close to the spot from whence they had risen. Neither waskilled by the fall, nor, to all appearance, hurt; for, the moment afterthey had touched the ground, both were seen engaged in a violentstruggle--the bird evidently endeavouring to free himself from the foldsof the reptile, while the latter seemed equally bent upon holding him!The snake knew well that this was its only hope; for, should it unfolditself and endeavour to escape, it would only give the kite anopportunity of clutching it a second time, when he would be certain todo it with more fatal effect. It was because the reptile had buried itshead in the grass that the kite had failed in seizing it properly by theneck, and putting an end to it at once. 

This, no doubt, was the idea of the snake; but it is probable that itsantagonist at the moment would have been delighted to "cry quits" withit, for the bird was in a worse "fix" than it was. As things stood, theserpent had undoubtedly the advantage. 

It was likely to prove a protracted struggle; for, although there wasmuch twisting and wriggling over the ground, and flapping of the oddwing--that was still free--very little change for a long time appearedto take place in the relative position of the combatants. This could beseen, whenever they paused to rest themselves--which they did every twoor three minutes. 

How was it to end? The kite could not kill the snake, for he could notget at it, either with his beak or talons. The hold which he had atfirst taken he had lost, in his attempts to save himself from falling;and he was now unable to renew it, so closely was the reptile warpedaround him. The snake, on the other hand, could not kill the kite; for, although possessed of considerable powers of constriction, they were notsufficient. It was strong enough to hold, and, perhaps, _squeeze_ itsantagonist, but not strong enough to crush and kill him. 

Though each, no doubt, at the moment wished to be far enough from theother, they could not separate with safety to both. The kite _could notget away_, and the snake _dared not let him go_!

How, then, was the affair to end, in the event that no third partyshould interfere? This was the conjecture of our adventurers, as withcurious eyes they watched this singular contest. The train of reasoningwas as follows:--

By one or the other dying of hunger. But which would starve first? Itwas well-known that the kite could live for days without food. Ha! butso too could the snake, --nay, more, for every day the bird could gowithout eating, the reptile could fast ten; besides, the snake had justdined--dined sumptuously upon the scorpion-lizard, that was now lyingundigested in his stomach; whereas the kite had not tasted dinner, --nay, it was very certain he had not breakfasted either--and must have beenvery hungry indeed to have attempted preying upon a blood-snake fullfour feet long--for, as is well-known, his usual prey is the locust, thechameleon, and the little green snake (_Coluber aestivus_). Under everyview of the question then, the snake had the advantage of the bird, andwould easily outstarve him. Thus, then, the affair would end, if thecombatants were left to themselves. 

The young hunters arrived at this conclusion; and, having watched thecontest until their curiosity was satisfied, were about stepping forwardto put an end to it, when a new manoeuvre on the part of the combatantscaused them to remain still. The kite had got his beak close to thehead of the serpent, and was striking with open mandibles, endeavouringto seize the jaw of the latter. He was upon his back--for these birdsfight best in that position. The serpent, on the other hand, was tryinghis best to bite the bird; and for this purpose at intervals extendedits jaws, showing the double rows of sharp conical teeth. At one ofthese intervals, while its mouth was open, the kite struck quicklyupward, and seized the lower jaw of the reptile in his beak. The latterclosed its mouth on the instant; but the horny mandible was imperviousto its sharp teeth, and the bird regarded them not. 

The kite continued to hold fast with his powerful beak. He had nowgained the advantage, for which he had been all the while contending. He had got a "fulcrum for his lever, " and he was not slow in using it. Suddenly turning back upward, with the aid of his wing and one of hisclaws, he held himself fast to the ground, while with his strong neck hedrew the head of the serpent close under him until it lay within reachof his other claw. Then with a quick fierce stroke he planted histalons, so as to encircle the throat of his adversary, clutching andholding it like a vice. 

This manoeuvre put a period to the contest. The red coils were seen toloosen, then fall off; and, although the reptile still writhed, it wasonly in its death-struggles. In a few moments its body lay along thegrass, powerless and without motion. 

The kite after a short rest drew his beak from the jaws of the serpent, raised his head, extended his wings--to assure himself they were free--and, with a scream of triumph, rose upward, the long carcass of thereptile trailing after him like a train!

At this moment another scream reached the ears of the young hunters. Itmight have passed for the echo of the first, but its tones were wilderand louder. All eyes were turned to the direction whence it came. Theboys knew very well what sort of a creature had uttered it, for they hadheard such notes before. They knew it was the _white-headed eagle_. 

They caught sight of him the moment they turned. It was not difficultto see him soaring upward--his great tail and broad wings expanded, seven feet in extent, against the light blue sky. 

When first seen his flight was nearly in a straight line, slanting up inthe direction of the kite--for that was the object that had started him. He was evidently bent upon robbing the latter of his late-gotten booty. 

The kite had heard the cry that echoed his own; and, knowing its import, at once plied all the power of his wings to rise higher into the air. He seemed resolved to hold on to his hard-earned plunder; or, at allevents, not to yield it, without giving the more powerful robber thetrouble of a chase. The fresh remembrance of the peril he had passedthrough in obtaining it, no doubt stimulated him to this resolve. 

Birds of his species will sometimes outfly and escape the eagle--thatis, _some_ eagles, for these bird-kings differ in degrees of swiftnessas hounds or horses. So, too, do the kites; and the one in questionhaving, no doubt, full confidence in _his_ wings, thought he would maketrial of those of his pursuer--who, being personally unknown to him, might be some individual too fat, or too old, or too young, perhaps, topossess full powers of flight. At all events he had made up his mind tohave a "fly" for it--believing that if overtaken he could easily put anend to the pursuit by surrendering the snake, as his cousin, the osprey, often has to do with his fish. Up, therefore, he went, in a spiralcurve of about fifty yards in diameter. 

If the kite entertained the idea that his pursuer was either a very oldor young bird, or too fat a bird, or in any way a "slow" bird, he waslikely to be soon undeceived. That idea was not shared by those whowatched him in his flight. On the contrary, the young hunters thoughtthey had never seen a more splendid specimen of his kind, --of fullfeather, snow-white head and tail-tip, and broad clean-cut wings. Hewas one of the largest size, too; which proved him not to be a "him, "but a female--for, strange to say, Nature seems to have reversed herorder with these birds--the females being universally brighter inplumage, larger in body, swifter of wing, stronger, and even fiercerthan the males. It may be inferred, that in the social life of"eagle-dom" the fair sex have their "rights, " and perhaps a little more. One thing is certain, and it seems to be a consequence of this (incompliment to the sex I say it) that nothing like polygamy is knownamongst them. Woe to the eagle husband that would even dream of such athing!

_Voila_! up goes the kite, straining every pinion of his pointed wings--up the spiral curve, _screwing_ himself towards the zenith. Upwardfollows the eagle, spirally as well, but in wider gyrations that embraceand seem to hold the curvatures of the other within their circumference. Both birds circle concentrically. Now their orbits cross each other--now they are wheeling in parallel curves. Still upward flies the kite--still upward goes the pursuing eagle. Closer and closer they appear tocome; narrower grow their soaring circles--but that is because they aremore distant and seem so. See! the kite is but a speck, and appearsstationary--now he is lost to the view. See! the eagle is but a speck!She, too, disappears! No, not altogether--the little spot like thefragment of a white cloud, or a piece of snow upon the sky--that is hertail-tip. Ha! it is gone too--they are beyond the reach of our vision. 

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Hark! _Ish-sh-ish_! Did you hear that sound, like the whistling of arocket? See! Something has fallen upon the tree-top, breaking severalbranches! As I live it is the kite! Dead he is, and the blood isspurting from a wound in his shoulder!

Hark, again! _Whush-sh-ush_! It is the eagle. See! she has theserpent in her talons!

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The eagle had shot down from her elevation, though no eye could havefollowed her in that arrow-like descent. When within two or threehundred yards of the ground, her wings flew out, her tail was spread, and, suddenly lowered, fan-like to its fullest extent, arrested herdownward course; and, with a few measured strokes, she glided slowlyover the tops of the trees, and alighted on the summit of the deadmagnolia. 

Basil seized his rifle, with the intention of having a shot. There wasnot much cover on the ground that encircled the tree where the eagle hadperched herself; and the young hunter knew from experience that his onlychance of getting near enough was to make his approach upon horseback. He therefore drew the picket that fastened Black Hawk; and, flinginghimself upon the horse's back, rode off among the bushes. He had beengone but a few minutes when a sharp crack was heard, and the eagle wasseen tumbling from her perch. 

This was the last link in the _chain of destruction_!

CHAPTER TWELVE. 

THE WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. 

Basil returned, bringing with him the great bird. It was a female--asLucien knew--and one of the largest, being over twelve pounds in weight, and measuring seven feet between the tips of the wings when expanded. The bird of this species rarely exceeds eight pounds in weight, and isproportionately small in other respects. 

The white-headed eagle (_Falco leucocephalus_), or "bald eagle, " as heis generally called because his white head gives him somewhat of a baldappearance--has been adopted by the United States as the emblem of theirRepublic. If his disposition be considered, he would be a more fitemblem for a band of robbers--for a more absolute robber and tyrant doesnot exist among the feathered races. He robs the osprey of his fish, and the vulture of his carrion; in short, lords it over every creatureweaker than himself. Now this is not the character of the nation herepresents--far from it. It is true they have shown a desire to extendtheir territory, and have made conquests to this end. But what is themotive of these conquests? Is it to enslave and render tribute? No. They conquer not _to enslave_, but to _make free_! There are twomotives for Anglo-American--I may say Anglo-Saxon, conquest, for _true_Englishmen feel these motives as much as Americans do. They wish tobring the whole world under a liberal form of government--one that willbear the scrutiny of reason--one that in time may extinguish crime, andrender poverty a thing of the past--one that is not a patent usurpationand a robbery--a robbery perhaps more criminal in the eyes of God thanwaylaying on the highroad, or piracy on the high seas--more criminal, because more extensive in its fatal effects. Anglo-Saxons wish todestroy despotism, lest they or their descendants might again becomewhat their ancestors once were--its victims. This, then, is one motiveof their conquests, and it is nothing more than the naked instinct ofself-preservation. But there is another motive--a nobler and moregenerous one. They have drunk from the cup of Liberty--the draught haspleased them, has given them happiness and joy; and, urged by thatbetter part of our nature, they wish to share that sweet cup--ample forall--_with all men_. This is the true motive of the conquest ofcivilisation; and under the banner of such a cause, it is a questionwhether war and anarchy and confusion be not preferable to the deceptivepeace and _apparent_ prosperity of despotism, that, like thedeath-dealing vampire, soothes while it destroys. 

I do not say that _all_ Americans nor _all_ Englishmen are entitled tothe glory of such a holy motive for conquest. No. Too large aproportion, alas! are actuated only by the ignoble idea of selfish ornational aggrandisement. The robber is often found in the same camp, and fighting under the same banner, with the soldier of Freedom. It isnot strange, therefore, that the _true_ sons of Liberty should sometimesbe associated with its _bastard_ children of the shackle and the whip. 

But, I shall not weary you with any more political science. Not that Iconsider it of small importance to you. On the contrary, I deem thatscience the _most important of all others that have ever occupied theattention of men_. Its influence extends to almost every object aroundyou. It shapes the carriage in which you ride, and the ship in whichyou sail. Its knowledge modifies the nature of your soul, and decideswhether you shall be a slave or a freeman. It even extends to the formof your body, giving it the abject attitude and gloomy aspect of slaveryand guilt, or the bold, upright carriage and joyous look of virtue, which God gave to the first man when He made him after His own image. 

But come, boy reader! I have promised not to weary you with thesethings. Such teachings I must reserve for a future opportunity; when, God willing, I shall present them to intellects older than yours. Perhaps you yourselves may then be old enough to take an interest inthem; and if so, you may learn some truths that for long years have beenthe study of your friend--the author. 

Now let us return to the eagle. I am thinking what a pity it is thatthe Americans should have chosen this tyrant-bird as the emblem of theirliberty; for, although he is _most appropriate_ for _one portion_ oftheir people, he is far from being a fit emblem of the principles of thegreat republic. So thought the wise Franklin. There are many otheranimals, peculiar to the territory of the United States, far moredeserving of the distinction. There is the bold but harmless buffalo, the stately elk, and the industrious beaver; or if a bird must needs beupon the banner, where could one be found better suited to that end thanthe wild-turkey, possessing as he does a combination of good qualities--grace, beauty, courage, and usefulness? Thus reasoned Franklin; and itmight be yet worth the while of the American people to giveconsideration to his reasoning, and discard the eagle; or, at allevents, change the species--for peculiar to the United States territorythere is another bird of the kind, far nobler, as well as larger andmore beautiful. 

It is curious to observe how many countries have adopted this rapaciousbird for their emblem; and it forms a sad index to the motives that havehitherto actuated nations. In ancient times it was seen upon thebanners of Persia and Rome. In modern days Napoleon spread its wingslike black shadows over France. It is the emblem of Russian despotismand American freedom. Austria, Prussia, Poland, Sicily, Spain, Sardinia, and many of the small governments of Germany, look up to theeagle on their standards; while, upon the other side of the Atlantic, itwaves over the great nations of the United States and Mexico, as well asseveral of the smaller republics. Why, a general war among the nationsof the world would be almost exclusively a war among the eagles! It isnot improbable that the _lion_ would insist upon having a claw in thequarrel; although his honesty and nobility of disposition are very muchdoubted, particularly by the jackal and some other animals. He is, therefore, no better qualified to act as the representative of a pacificpeople than the very worst of the eagles; but he fortunately has a wisekeeper, called Public Opinion, who of late has held him under somerestraint. 

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"What a chain of destruction!" exclaimed Lucien. "One creature preyingupon another. "

"Ay, " added Francois; "and how curious it should begin with a bird andend with a bird. Look at the two together. Ha! ha!"

As Francois made this remark, he pointed to the little humming-bird andthe great eagle--which had been laid side by side upon the grass, and, sure enough, presented in size and appearance a most singular contrastto each other. 

"You forget, Francois, " said Lucien, "there were two other links to thechain, and perhaps many more. "

"What other links?" demanded Francois. 

"The humming-bird, you remember, when attacked, was himself a destroyer. He was killing the little blue-winged fly. "

"That is certainly another link, but--"

"Who killed the eagle?"

"Ah, true! Basil, then, was the last link in the chain of destruction. "

"Perhaps the most criminal, too, " said Lucien, "because the leastnecessary. The other creatures were but following out their instinctsto procure food, whereas Basil's only motive was one of wantondestruction. "

"I beg to differ with you, Luce, " said Basil, interrupting his brother, sharply, "it was no such thing. I shot that eagle because he killed thekite, and robbed him of his prey, instead of using his industry andgetting food for himself. That's why I added a link to your chain. "

"In that sense, " replied Lucien, smiling at his brother--who seemed alittle ruffled at being thus charged with unnecessary cruelty, --"in thatsense you were, perhaps, justifiable; though it is difficult tounderstand why the eagle was more guilty than the kite himself. He tookonly one life, and so did the kite. "

"But, " rejoined Basil, "in addition to taking away the life of hisvictim, he robbed him. Robbery and murder both. Now the kite wasguilty only of the latter. "

"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Lucien and Francois together. "There _is_ adistinction with a difference!"

"But, brother Luce, " inquired Francois, "what did you mean when you saidthere might be many more links to this chain?"

"Why, who knows but the blue-winged fly was preying upon some othercreatures smaller than himself? And these again, upon others stillless; who, though invisible to our eyes, possess life and organisationas well as we. Who knows to the contrary? And who knows the reason whya mysterious Providence has created those beings to be the food of eachother? That is a question about which we can arrive at no satisfactoryconclusion. "

"Who knows, brother, " said Francois, "since you are speculating--whoknows but there may be an extra link at the other end of the chain? Ho, Basil! what say you? Suppose we fall in with grizzly bears. " AndFrancois laughed as he put the question. 

"And supposing we do, " replied Basil, "_you_ are as likely to form thatlink as anybody else. "

"Heaven forbid!" exclaimed Lucien. "I hope that in all our travels weshall see neither a grizzly bear nor an Indian. "

"And I hope for nothing of the sort, " rejoined Basil. "I long to have acrack at a grizzly; and as for Indians, I haven't the least fear ofthem, so long as I carry this. "

As Basil made this remark, he drew out the little beaded case from hisbosom, held it up a moment, and then returned it to its place again. 

"Now, brother, " cried Francois, "tell as about that pouch, and how it isto save us from Indians. I am really curious to know. "

"Not now, my boy, " replied Basil, with a patronising air. "Not now. Wemust prepare our supper, and get to sleep. We have lost half a daydrying our rags, so we must make up for it by an early start in themorning. Then for the prairies!"

"Then for the prairies!" echoed Francois, --"the prairies--the wildhorses--the big-horns--and the buffalo!"

CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 

THREE BUFFALOES WITH WINGS. 

Our travellers next morning resumed their journey, and for several dayscontinued on without meeting any incident worth recording. They crossedmany large streams, among which may be mentioned the Neches and Trinityof Texas. 

On the "divide, " between the Trinity and Brazos rivers, an adventurebefell them that came near having a painful result. 

In hot weather it was their custom to halt during the noon hours, bothto refresh themselves and rest their animals. This is the custom ofmost travellers through these wild regions, and is called "nooning. "

With this intention, one day, they drew bridle by the edge of a tract ofprairie, and dismounted. Behind them was the forest through which theyhad just passed, and before them lay the prairie, which they intended tocross in the cool of the evening. The surface of the latter was quitelevel, covered with a green mantle of young buffalo-grass, with here andthere an island of low timber that broke the monotony of the view. Inthe distance a thick forest of live oak bounded the prairie on the otherside; and although the latter appeared only two or three miles distant, it was not less than ten--so deceptive is the pure atmosphere of theseupland regions. The country in which they now were was what is termed"timber prairie"--that is, a prairie interspersed with groves andcopses. 

I say our adventurers had just dismounted, and were about to take offtheir saddles, when an exclamation from Francois drew the attention ofhis brothers. 

"_Voila_!" cried he, pointing out to the open ground. "Buffaloes--buffaloes!"

Basil and Lucien looked in the direction pointed out. Three large darkobjects were seen on the crest of a low swell in the prairie. They weremoving about; and one was evidently smaller than the others. 

"Of _course_ they are buffaloes, " continued Francois. "Look at theirsize! Two bulls and a cow, no doubt. "

His brothers agreed with him. None of the three had ever seen buffaloesin their native wilderness; and of course had but an indistinct idea ofhow they might appear from a distance. Buffaloes they must be--elk ordeer would look red--wolves red or white; and they could not be bears, as these last would not likely be out on the prairie in threes, unless, indeed, they might be grizzly bears--who do sometimes go out into theopen ground to dig for the "pomme-blanche" and other roots. This, however, was not probable, as the grizzly bears are seldom or neverfound so far to the eastward. No. They were not "grizzlys. " They werenot wild horses neither, that was plain enough. Buffaloes, then, theymust be. 

Like all who see buffaloes for the first time in their native pastures, our young hunters were filled with excitement--the more so, since tomeet with these animals was the object of their expedition, of the longand perilous journey they had undertaken. 

A hurried consultation followed as to how they should capture thesethree. It was true that none of them was a _white_ buffalo; but nomatter. Our hunters wanted to taste buffalo-beef; and the chase afterthese would give them practice, which might serve them afterwards. How, then, were they to set about it?

"Why, run them, of course, " counselled the ready Francois, with the airof an experienced buffalo-hunter. 

Now, there are several methods of hunting buffaloes, practised upon theprairies, both by whites and Indians. The most common is that of whichFrancois spoke, "running. " This is done by simply overtaking thebuffalo, galloping alongside of him--the hunter, of course, being onhorseback--and shooting him through the heart while he runs. Shoot himin the region of the heart you must; for you may put twenty bullets intohis great body elsewhere, and he will still manage to get away from you. The hunters aim a little above the brisket, and behind thefore-shoulder. The white hunters use the rifle, or sometimes a largepistol--which is better for the purpose, as they can load it more easilywhile going in a gallop. The Indians prefer the bow--as they can shootarrow after arrow in quick succession, thus slaying many buffaloes in asingle "run. " So expert are they with this weapon, that their arrowshave been known to pierce through the bodies of large buffaloes, andpass clear out on the other side! At times the Indians use spears withwhich they thrust the buffaloes, while galloping alongside of them. 

Another method of hunting these animals, is termed "approaching. "

"Approaching" buffaloes is nothing else than creeping stealthily on themuntil within range, when the hunter fires, often loads again and fires, and so on, until many of them are killed, before their companions takethe alarm and scamper off. Indeed, the hunter will sometimes crawl upto a herd; and concealing himself behind the bodies of those he hasalready killed, fire away until many have fallen. In doing this hetakes care to keep to leeward; for if otherwise, and these animals--whohave much keener scent than sight--should happen to "wind" him, as it istermed, they are off in a moment. So keen is their scent, that they candetect an enemy to windward at the distance of a mile or more. In"approaching, " the hunter sometimes disguises himself in the skin of awolf or deer; when the buffaloes, mistaking him for one of theseanimals, permit him to get within shooting distance. An Indian has beenknown to creep up in this manner into the midst of a buffalo herd, andwith his bow and arrows, silently shoot one after another, until thewhole herd lay prostrate! "Approaching" is sometimes a better methodthan "running. " The hunter thus saves his horse--often a jaded one--andis likely to kill a greater number of buffaloes, and get so many morehides, if that be his object, as it sometimes is. When he is atraveller only, or a beaver-trapper, who wants to get a buffalo for hisdinner, and cares for no more than one, then "running" is the morecertain mode of obtaining it. In this way, however, he can kill onlyone, or at most two or three; for, while he is shooting these, andloading between times, the herd scatters, and runs out of his reach; andhis horse is apt to be too much "blown" to allow him to overtake themagain. 

A third method of hunting buffaloes is the "surround. " This ispractised only by the Indians--as the white hunters of the prairies arerarely ever in such numbers as would enable them to effect a "surround. "The name almost explains the nature of this hunt, which is practised asfollows:--When a hand of Indian hunters discover a herd of buffaloes, they scatter and deploy into a circle around them. They soon accomplishthis on their swift horses, for they are mounted--as all prairie-huntersare sure to be, whether whites or Indians. As soon as the circle isformed, the Indians ride inward with loud yells, and drive the buffaloesinto a thick clump in the centre. They then dash upon them with bowsand lances--each hunter killing as many as he can. The buffaloes becomeconfused, run to and fro, and but few of them in the end get off. Aherd of hundreds, and even thousands, is sometimes slaughtered at one ofthese _battues_. The Indians make this wholesale destruction for twoobjects; first, to get the meat, which they preserve by "jerking"--thatis, by cutting into thin strips and drying in the sun--and, secondly, for the skins with which they cover their tents, make their beds, andpart of their clothing. Many of them they barter at the trading-housesof the whites--established in remote regions for this purpose--wherethey receive in exchange knives, rifles, lead, powder, beads, andvermilion. 

Another method the Indians have of hunting the buffalo, is not unlikethe last, but is still more fearful to witness. 

Most of the region where the buffaloes range consists of high uplandprairies, such as in Asia are called "steppes, " and in Mexico and SouthAmerica "mesas, " or "table-lands. " Such plains are elevated from threeto six thousand feet above the level of the sea. In many places onthese table-lands there are deep rifts called "canons, " or more properly"barrancas, " that have probably been formed by running water duringrain-storms. These are often dry, and look like vast fissures openingdown into the earth--often for a thousand feet or more--and extendingaway for scores of miles across the prairie. Sometimes two of themintersect each other, forming a triangular space or peninsula between;and the traveller on reaching this point is obliged to turn back, as hefinds himself almost encircled by precipices yawning downward into theearth. Whenever the Indians get a herd of buffaloes near one of thesecanons, they surround them on three sides, and guide them towards theprecipice; and when they are near enough, gallop forward with wildshouts, causing the buffaloes to dash madly and blindly over. A wholeherd will sometimes leap a precipice in this way--those in the frontbeing forced over by the others, and, these in turn pressed, either totake the leap or be thrust by the spears of the pursuing horsemen. Sometimes when the Indians are not insufficient numbers to make a"surround" of buffalo, they collect buffalo chips, and build them inlittle piles so as to represent men. These piles are placed in tworows, gradually converging towards each other, and leading to one of theaforementioned bluffs. Between these two rows they drive the buffaloes, that, mistaking the piles of their own "chips" for Indians, are guidedonwards to the edge of the precipice, when the hunters make their noisyrush, and force them over. 

There are other methods of buffalo-hunting, such as pursuing them in thesnow, when the hunters in their snow-shoes easily overtake and slaughterthem. Some Mexican buffalo-hunters (in the southern prairies called"ciboleros") capture the buffalo with the lasso; but this method is notoften practised, except when they wish to catch the young calves alivefor the purpose of raising them. 

Now, all these methods were familiar to our three young hunters--thatis, familiar from descriptions--as they had often heard about them fromold trappers who came down among the settlements of Louisiana, and whosometimes spent the night under their father's roof--for the Colonelliked very much to entertain these old trappers, and get a talk out ofthem. It was from this source then, that Francois derived his ideas ofbuffalo-hunting, which led him in the pride of his knowledge to exclaim, "Run them, of course. "

Basil and Lucien took a little time to consider it, all the whilekeeping their eyes fixed upon the three buffaloes. There was just onea-piece, which they could separate, and run down--they were far from anycover, and it might therefore be difficult to "approach" them--moreoverthe horses were fresh, for the day before had been Sunday, and ouradventurers had always made it a rule to lie by on that day, to restboth themselves and their animals. This they did in accordance with acommand given to them by their father at starting. All thingsconsidered, then, "running" was the best plan, and it was the one theyresolved to adopt. 

Jeanette was tied to a tree, and left behind with her packs, that hadnot yet been taken off. Marengo, of course, was taken along with them, as he might prove useful in pulling down one of the old bulls ifwounded. Everything that might encumber the hunters was left withJeanette; and all three rode out upon the prairie, and made direct forthe animals. It was agreed that each should choose one of them, andthen do his best with gun and pistols. Francois had put buck-shot intoboth barrels, and was full of confidence that he was about to "throw"his first buffalo. 

As they drew nearer, a lustrous appearance upon the bodies of thestrange animals attracted their attention. Were they buffaloes, afterall?

The brothers rode quietly onward, observing them with attention. No, buffaloes they were not. The rough shaggy bodies of these would notshine so, for they glittered in the sun as they moved about. Buffaloesthey could not be. 

"That they are not, " said Lucien, after a deliberate look through hisfingers. 

"What are they then?" inquired Francois. 

"Listen!" replied Lucien; "do you hear that?"

All three had drawn bridle. A loud "_gobble_--_obble_--_obble_, "proceeded from the animals, evidently uttered by some one of the three. 

"As I live, " exclaimed Francois, "that's the gobble of an oldturkey-cock!"

"Neither more nor less, " replied Lucien, with a smile. "_They areturkeys_!"

"Turkeys!" echoed Basil, "turkeys taken for buffaloes! What a granddeception!"

And all three at first looked very blank at each other, and thencommenced laughing heartily at the mistake they had made. 

"We must never tell of this, " said Basil, "we should be laughed at, Ireckon. "

"Not a bit of it, " rejoined Lucien, "such mistakes are often made, evenby old travellers on the prairies. It is an atmospheric illusion verycommon. I have heard of a worse case than ours--of a raven having beentaken for a buffalo!"

"When we meet the buffaloes then, I suppose we shall mistake them formammoths, " remarked Francois; and the disappointed hunters now turnedtheir attention to the capturing of birds instead of buffaloes. 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN. 

A WILD-TURKEY HUNT. 

"Come on!" cried Basil, putting the spur to his horse, and ridingforward. "Come on! It isn't so bad a case after all--a good fat turkeyfor dinner, eh? Come on!"

"Stay, brother, " said Lucien, "how are we to get near them? They areout on the open ground--there is no cover. "

"We don't want cover. We can `run' them as we were about to do had theybeen buffaloes. "

"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Francois; "run a turkey! Why it will fly off atonce. What nonsense you talk, brother!"

"I tell you, no, " replied Basil. "It is not nonsense--it can be done--Ihave often heard so from the trappers, --now let us try it ourselves. "

"Agreed, then, " said Francois and Lucien at once; and all three rodeforward together. 

When they had got near enough to distinguish the forms of the birds, they saw they were two old "gobblers" and a hen. The gobblers werestrutting about with their tails spread like fans, and their wingstrailing along the grass. Every now and then they uttered their loud"gobble--obble--obble, " and by their attitude and actions it wasevidently an affair of rivalry likely to end in a battle. The femalestalked over the grass, in a quiet but coquettish way--no doubt fullyaware of the warm interest she was exciting in the breasts of thebelligerent gobblers. She was much smaller than either of these, andfar less brilliant in plumage. The males appeared very bright indeed--almost equal to a pair of peacocks--and as their glossy backs glanced inthe sun with metallic lustre, our hunters thought they had never beforeseen such beautiful birds. 

Taken up with their own quarrel, they would no doubt have allowed thehunters to get within shooting distance of them. The female, however, was upon the alert; and seeing these draw near, she raised her head witha loud "tweet!" which attracted the attention of her companions. In amoment their spread tails closed and came to the ground, their wingswere shut up, and their long necks stretched into the air. Their formsunderwent a complete change, and they now stood erect upon the prairie, _Each of them full five feet in height_!

"Beautiful creatures!" exclaimed Lucien. 

"Yes, " muttered Basil. "They will not give us much longer time though. We had best make a dash. Take you the hen, Luce, your horse is theslowest. Now for it. _For-ward_!"

All three spurred their horses, and dashed forward together, Marengoleading the chase. In a moment they were within a hundred yards or soof the turkeys. The latter, thus suddenly set upon, ran a few paces, and then rose into the air, with a loud flapping of their wings. Theytook different directions, confused by being sprung in such haste. Eachof the boys had selected the one he intended pursuing; and upon that onealone his eyes became fixed. Basil and Francois followed the gobblers, while Lucien rode at a quiet gallop after the hen. 

Marengo, of course, took part in the chase, joining in with Lucien--whether because he deemed the hen to be "sweeter meat, " or that she waslikely to be the easiest caught of the three. 

She did not fly far before coming to the ground again; when she ran withall her might for the nearest clump of timber. Hither Lucien followed, Marengo leading the way, and occasionally uttering a sonorous yelp as heran. As Lucien entered the timber, he saw the dog standing by the rootof a large oak. He had "treed" the turkey, and was looking upward withglancing eyes, barking and wagging his tail. Lucien rode cautiouslyunder the tree, where he perceived the turkey crouching among the moss, upon one of its highest branches. His rifle was up to his shoulder in amoment; and after the crack, the bird was heard tumbling and flutteringthrough the leaves. Marengo sprang upon it as it came to the ground;but his master, leaping from his horse, scolded him off, and took up thegame which was found to be quite dead. 

Lucien now remounted: and, as he rode out into the open ground, he couldsee Basil far off upon the prairies. He was going at full gallop; andthe gobbler with outspread wings was seen some distance ahead of him, running like an ostrich! Both Basil and gobbler soon disappeared to hisview--lost behind one of the timber islets. Lucien looked for Francois. The latter was nowhere to be seen--having pursued his gobbler in adirection where the groves were more thickly studded over the prairie. Thinking it would be of no use to follow either of them, Lucien rodeslowly back to where Jeanette had been left upon the edge of the forest. Here he dismounted, and sat down to await the return of his brothers. 

Basil's chase proved a longer one than he had expected. He had chosenthe biggest of the birds; and, no doubt, the strongest and toughest. His gobbler, at the first flight, made a clear stretch of nearly a mile;and, when he alighted again, ran like a scared cat. But Basil was notto be discouraged; and, keeping the spurs well to his horse, soon gainedupon him. The turkey again took to his wings, dropping down anotherhalf mile in the advance. Again Basil galloped up; and once more theold cock rose into the air--this time flying only about a hundred yardsbefore he alighted. Basil was soon up to him with his fleet horse; butthe gobbler was now unable to fly any farther. He could run, however, at a good rate; and where there was an uphill in the prairie he ranfaster than the horse. Downhill, the latter gained upon him; and thusthey went, until the bird began to double and circle about, showing allthe symptoms of weariness. Several times the horse ran over him, theturkey on these occasions turning and taking the back-track. 

The chase was prolonged for a considerable time. The bird, at length, became completely exhausted; and squatting down, thrust his head andlong neck among the weeds, like the ostrich, thinking himself thushidden from his pursuer. Basil now drew his horse's rein, raised hislong rifle, and the next moment a bullet passed through the gobbler, andstretched him dead upon the grass. 

Basil then dismounted; and, taking up the turkey, tied its legs to thecantle of his saddle. This required all Basil's strength, for the birdwas one of the largest size--a forty-pounder. 

As soon as the hunter had made all fast, he leaped back into his saddle, and commenced riding--Where? Ay, that was the question which he askedhimself before his horse had advanced three lengths of his body--wherewas he going? All at once the thought came into his mind that _he waslost_! Groves of timber were on all sides of him. They were like eachother; or, if they differed, he had not in his wild gallop noted thatdifference, and it could not serve to direct him now. He had not theslightest idea of the point whence he had come, and therefore knew notin what direction to go. He saw and felt that _he was lost_!

My young reader, you cannot conceive the thoughts that come over one whois lost upon the prairies. Such a situation has appalled the stoutesthearts ere now. Strong men have trembled at feeling themselves thusalone in the wilderness; and well might they, for they knew that theconsequence has often been _death_. The shipwrecked mariner in his openboat is scarcely worse off than the lost traveller upon the prairie-sea;and many, under the circumstances, have gone mad! Fancy then thefeelings of the boy Basil. 

I have already said, he was a cool and courageous lad. He was so, andproved it now. He did not lose presence of mind. He reined in hishorse, and surveyed the prairie around him with an intelligent eye. Itwas all to no purpose. He saw nothing that would give him a clue to thespot where he had separated from his brothers. He shouted aloud, butthere was neither echo nor answer. He fired off his rifle, andlistened--thinking Lucien or Francois might reply by a similar signal;but no such signal gratified his ear. He reloaded, and sat for a whilein his saddle, buried in thought. 

"Ha! I have it!" he exclaimed, suddenly raising himself in hisstirrups, "Why was I so stupid? Come, Black Hawk! we are not lost yet!"

Basil had not been all his life a hunter for nothing; and although hehad but little experience upon the prairies, his wood craft now stoodhim in stead. The thought which had so suddenly occurred to him was agood one, the only one that could with certainty save him. He hadresolved to _return upon his own tracks_. 

He wheeled his horse; and, with eyes bent upon the ground, rode slowlyalong. The turf was firm, and the hoof-marks were not deep; but Basilhad a hunter's eye, and could follow the track of a fawn. In a fewminutes he arrived on the spot where he had killed the turkey. Theblood and feathers upon the grass made him sure of this. Here he halteda moment, until he could determine the direction in which he hadapproached this spot. That was at length resolved to his satisfaction;and he rode slowly in the back-track. After a few lengths of his horsehad been passed over, the trail doubled. Basil followed the double, andcame back, passing almost over the same ground again. Again it doubledas before, and again and again, without going a hundred yards from theplace where the bird had been shot. All these turnings the young hunterretraced with the greatest care and patience. In this he showed hisjudgment and his knowledge of hunter-craft; for, had he grown impatientand taken a wider range to find the trail, he might have fallen upon hislast-made tracks, and thus have brought himself into a regular maze. 

After a while the circles in which he travelled became larger; and, tohis great joy, he at length found himself advancing in a straight line. Many horse-tracks crossed his trail; some of them nearly as fresh as hisown. These did not baffle him. They were the tracks of mustangs; andalthough Black Hawk was not shod any more than they, his rider knew theprint of the latter's hoof as well as he knew the appearance of his ownrifle. The Arab's track was considerably larger than those of the wildhorses. 

After following the trail backward for nearly an hour, --his eyes all thetime bent upon the ground, --he was suddenly startled by a voice callinghim by name. He looked up, and beheld Lucien by the edge of the woods. With a shout of joy he plied the spur and rode forward. As he drewnear, however, his feeling of joy became one of painful apprehension. There was Lucien, --there were Jeanette and Marengo, --_but where wasFrancois_?

"Where is Francois?" inquired Lucien, as Basil rode up. 

The latter could hardly speak, so strong were his emotions. 

"O brother!" he faltered out at length, "has Francois not returned?"

"No, " answered Lucien, "I was thinking he was with you, and you wouldcome back together. I have been wondering what could have detained youso long. "

"O God, he is lost!" cried Basil, breaking into an agony of grief. "Lucien! Lucien! our brother is lost!"

"Lost! what mean you?" asked Lucien, half believing that Francois hadbeen attacked by Indians, or some wild animal, and that that was whatBasil meant. "Has anything happened to him? Speak, Basil!"

"No, no!" replied Basil, still speaking wildly, "lost on the prairie! Obrother, you know not what it is--it is a fearful thing. I have beenlost, --I have got back; but Francois, poor little Francois! there is nohope for him! he is lost--lost!"

"But have you not seen him since we all three parted?" inquired Lucienin dismay. 

"No, not since we parted. I was myself lost, and have been all thistime finding my way. I succeeded by following back my own trail, elsewe might never have met again. O Francois! poor brother Francois! whatwill become of _him_?"

Lucien now shared the apprehensions as well as the agony of his brother. Up to this time he had been under the impression that they had gottogether, and something had detained them--perhaps the breaking of astirrup-leather or a girth, he knew not what--and he was just beginningto grow uneasy when Basil made his appearance. He knew not what it wasto be lost; but Basil's wild explanations enabled him to conceive whatit _might be_; and he could well appreciate the situation of Francois. It was no time, however, to indulge in paroxysms of grief. He saw thatBasil was half unmanned; the more so because the latter looked uponhimself as the cause of the misfortune. It was Basil who had counselledthe running of the turkeys and led on to the chase. 

Instead of giving way to despair, however, both felt that they must takesome steps for the recovery of their lost brother. 

"What is to be done?" said Lucien. 

Basil now became himself again. The hope of saving Francois restoredhim to his wonted energy and courage. 

"Is it better we should remain here?" asked Lucien, who knew that hisbrother's strong judgment would decide upon the best plan. 

"No, " replied the latter; "it is of no use. _I_ could not have found myway back, but for the tracks of my horse. Francois will not think ofthat; and even if he did, _his_ horse is a _mustang_, and the prairie iscovered with mustang tracks, running in every direction. No, no, hewill never come back here, except by chance; and there are a thousandchances to one against it. No, we must go in search of him; we must goupon his trail; and that I fear will be impossible among so many others. Before we leave this place, " continued Basil, "let us try every chancethat is left. Are you loaded?"

"Yes, " replied Lucien. 

"Fire, then, a moment or two after I do. The first report may call hisattention to the second. "

Basil raised his piece and fired into the air. A few seconds after, Lucien fired also, and both stood to listen, their hearts beatingaudibly. 

For five minutes or more they stood--so that Francois might have time toload his gun, if empty. There was no response. 

Again the brothers loaded their rifles--with powder only--putting inheavy charges and ramming home tightly, in order that the explosionsmight be the louder. Again they fired as before. The result was thesame; there was no answer to their signal. 

"It proves that he is very distant, " said Lucien, "for sounds can beheard a great way off in this region. "

"Let us try a smoke, " said Basil, putting away his rifle. "Gather somewood, Luce, while I kindle the leaves. "

Basil picked up some pieces of the burning wad; and having taken it outto the open ground, raked together a pile of dry leaves and grass, andignited it. Meanwhile Lucien collected an armful of sticks, and placedthem upon the pile. Others were then thrown on top, with green leavesand boughs broken from the trees, and, over all, several armfuls ofSpanish moss which hung plentifully from the oaks. A thick blue smokesoon ascended high into the heavens; and the brothers stood withsearching eyes that scrutinised the prairie in all directions. 

"He must be far off if he cannot see that, " remarked Lucien. "It shouldbe visible for ten miles around, I should think!"

"At least that much, " answered Basil; "but he would not be long ingetting ten miles away. The chase might have carried him a good part;and, finding himself lost, he would soon gallop the rest. "

"Unless, " suggested Lucien, "he may have ridden about, as you did, uponhis own trail. "

"No, he would not be likely. Poor little Francois would not think ofit; he has not enough craft for that; and, indeed, I almost hope that hehas not done so. "

"Why do you hope so?" inquired Lucien. 

"Because we will stand a better chance of making out his trail if he hasgone straight forward. "

"True, true, " rejoined Lucien, and both again were silent, and stoodwatching the prairie openings with anxious eyes. 

They remained for a considerable time, but at length turned to eachother with countenances that exhibited a disappointed and sadexpression. 

"He is not coming, " said Lucien, in a sorrowful tone. 

"No; he would have been up long since. He would be certain to gallop ifhe had seen the smoke. We must go after him. "

They turned towards their horses. Basil's glance fell upon the dog. Agleam of joy shot into his eye, and big whole bearing became suddenlychanged. 

"Ha!" he exclaimed, "we have been wasting time. Quick, Lucien!--yourhorse! to your horse!"

"What is it?" asked Lucien in surprise. 

"Do not ask me--a good thought strikes me; but we have not a moment tolose--time is precious. Let us be off!"

"But shall we leave Jeanette?"

"By all means. Francois _might_ come up. "

"If he should, how is he to know where we are gone?"

"True, " answered Basil, reflecting a moment. "Oh!" he continued, "giveme your paper and pencil. You tie Jeanette while I write. "

Lucien handed him a small slip of paper with a pencil; and thenproceeded to tie the mule securely to one of the branches. 

Basil took the paper and wrote:--

"_Francois, we are gone upon your trail. Stay by Jeanette_. "

He fastened the paper conspicuously to the trunk of a tree; and then, seizing his rifle and leaping into the saddle, called upon Lucien tofollow him. 

Lucien mounted, and rode after, while the dog Marengo trotted in therear. 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN. 

TRAILING WITH A BLOOD-HOUND. 

They rode in a direct line to the spot where they had started in pursuitof the turkeys. From this place Francois had taken to the left; butthere were many tracks leading in the same direction--of horses, too, that had galloped. 

"As I told you, brother, " remarked Basil, "we could never have followedhis trail by the tracks. Even here we are not certain of it. Thesemust be his though--they look a little fresher than the others. Let ustry them. Marengo!"

"Stay, brother!" interrupted Lucien. "The last place I saw Francois wasyonder. I caught a glimpse of him passing round that point of timber. "

"Ha! that is better. Perhaps, there his tracks may be separate from theothers. Come on!"

They rode about a hundred paces farther, which brought them to the pointof timber indicated by Lucien. 

"Yes, " exclaimed Basil, "you are right! He has passed here. There arehis tracks distinctly. "

Basil dismounted, giving Lucien his rein. He knelt upon the grass, andexamined the hoof-prints, one after the other, with extreme care. 

"So!" he muttered, as he rose again to his feet, "I shall know _you_among a thousand. "

"Make yourself ready for a hard ride, " he continued, addressing Lucien. "The dog, no doubt, will lead us in a gallop. Marengo!"

The hound came running up to where the young hunter was stooping overthe trail. The latter held a red object in his arms. It was Francois'blanket, which he had loosed from his horse's flank, and flung away whenstarting on the chase. The dog scented the blanket, uttering as he didso a low whimper, and gazing in his master's face with a look ofintelligence. He seemed to comprehend what was required of him. 

Basil now flung the blanket over his own saddle, stooped again, drew hisfingers along the grass, and, with a wave of his hand, motioned Marengoto follow its direction. The hound, uttering a single yelp, bent hisnose to the ground, and sprang forward upon the trail. 

Basil instantly leaped into his saddle; and, snatching up the reins, cried out to his brother, --

"Come, Lucien! we must not lose sight of the dog, though our horses dropdead in their tracks! All depends upon keeping him in view. "

Both plied the spur, and dashed forward at a gallop. 

"We must know how to find our way back again, " said Basil, reining up, as they passed the edge of one of the timber clumps. "We must notourselves get lost;" and, as he said this, he crashed the branch of atree, until the broken end hung dangling downward. He then resumed hisgallop. 

For nearly a mile the hound ran in a direct line. It was the firstflight of the turkey. His course then altered, although not a greatdeal, and carried him half a mile or so in a direct line as before. 

"The second flight, " remarked Basil to his brother, as both followed ata loose gallop, now with their eyes anxiously watching the dog, and nowhalting a moment by some conspicuous tree to "blaze" their way, bybreaking one of its branches. 

The dog at length entered a copse. 

"Ha!" exclaimed Basil, "Francois has killed his turkey there. No, " hecontinued--as the hound shot out of the copse again, and struck off intothe open plain--"no. It has sought shelter there, but it has been runout again, and gone farther. "

Marengo now led in a direct line for several hundred paces; when, all atonce, he began to double and run in circling courses over the prairie. 

"Draw up, Lucien! draw up!" cried Basil, as he pulled upon hisbridle-rein. "I know what that means. Do not ride upon the track--youmay baffle him--leave him to himself. "

In a few seconds the hound stopped, uttered a short howl, and appearedto toss a dark object upon the grass with his snout. Basil and Lucienhad halted at a considerable distance, but they could see that theobject was some loose feathers. 

"The spot, beyond doubt, where Francois has killed the turkey, " mutteredBasil. "If Marengo can only catch the trail by which he rode off allmay be well; but--that--that--see! he is off again!"

Now was the time that Basil and Lucien watched with beating hearts. They knew that a crisis was at hand. If Marengo, as Basil said, couldfind Francois' departing trail, then he could follow it up almost to acertainty. Of this both the brothers were confident, as they knew thecapabilities of the dog. But that was the point to be decided; and bothfelt for the moment as if the life of their brother hung upon itsdecision. No wonder, then, that they watched every manoeuvre of thehound with breathless anxiety while they sat, motionless and silent, intheir saddles. 

The hound after a while ran off from the feathers; and was seen oncemore to double and circle over the ground. He did not go freely. Hewas evidently baffled by so many trails approaching and crossing eachother. Again he came back to the spot where the turkey had been killed, and there paused with a howl of disappointment!

Basil and his brother uttered a simultaneous exclamation, that betokenedpainful feelings. They knew that the howl was a bad sign; but neitherspoke. 

Once more the dog ran off, and as before turned and wheeled about uponthe prairie. 

"O God!" exclaimed Basil, in agony, "he is coming on the old track!"

It was too true; for the next moment the hound, running on theback-track, bounded in among the feet of their horses. Here he stoppedsuddenly, throwing up his head, and uttering another howl ofdisappointment. 

Basil waved him back. He struck out again and followed the old trail, but with like success. He then became confused, and ran every way overthe ground, evidently baffled. The brothers regarded each other withlooks of dismay. _The trail was lost_!

"Hold! There is hope yet, " said Basil. "We may find it by making awider circuit. Take my bridle, " continued he, throwing himself from hishorse. "Marengo!--up, Marengo!"

The dog obeyed the call, uttered in accents of command; and came runningup to the feet of his master. The latter, telling Lucien to follow withthe horses, struck off over the prairie. 

He walked slowly, bent forward and downward, carefully observing theground as he went. He followed the circumference of an irregularcircle, of wide diameter--in order to keep outside the doublings whichFrancois had made in his last struggle after the wearied bird, and whichhad thrown the dog out. He passed several horse-trails leading variousways. All these he examined, but none satisfied him. In this manner hehad gone half a mile around the circle, when his eye fell upon some thatseemed fresher than the rest. He sprang forward, stooping over themwith, a shout of joy, as he recognised the hoof-prints of Francois'mustang. He knew them by a mark he had taken--where the dog had beenfirst set upon the trail--a small chip broken from one of the forehoofs. But Marengo needed not this. He was once more on the rightscent; and again started off, nose down, over the prairie. 

Basil leaped into his saddle; and, waving his brother to follow, galloped after, riding close upon the heels of the hound. 

The trail did not lead in a direct line. At some places it did so forseveral hundred yards--then it would turn suddenly to the right orleft--then turn again and again in zig-zag lines. Sometimes itdescribed the circumference of a circle and at one or two points itrecrossed itself. At these places the dog was once or twice nearlybaffled again. 

They well knew the reason why the trail thus meandered about. PoorFrancois had been wandering, and knew not which way to go. 

Once more the trail ran direct for a distance of two miles or more. Nodoubt Francois had there kept up his resolution and ridden straightforward; but, as Basil remarked, he had been travelling all the timewith his back to their camp! Over this part, as the trail was fresh, the hound ran rapidly, keeping the hunters at a brisk gallop. At theend of the stretch it again turned to the right and westward. 

As they faced in this direction, the attention of the brothers wascalled to the sky. _The sun was setting_!

A new feeling of apprehension came over them. They knew there was notwilight, or next to none, on these high southern plateaux. Should itcome on a dark night, how were they to follow the dog, going as he wasupon a run? _He_ might still keep the trail and come up with Francois, but what would be the good of that, so long as _they_ were not with him?It would only give Francois another companion in his misery, but noclue by which he would be enabled to find _them_, or they _him_. 

These thoughts were communicated between the two as they galloped onside by side. Soon the sun set, and the shades of twilight fell uponthe grass. It grew darker, until it was difficult to distinguish thedusky body of the hound passing over the sward. What was to be done?He would soon glide away from them, and leave them without a guide!

"I have it!" suddenly exclaimed Basil; and at the words he spurred hishorse forward to overtake Marengo. The next moment he flung himselffrom the saddle; and, seizing the hound, arrested him in his tracks. 

"Alight, brother!" he cried; "alight, and help me. Off with yourshirt--it is whiter than mine. "

Lucien, half comprehending his design, immediately pulled off hisblouse, and after that his shirt--which was of bleached cotton clothlightly striped, and in the dim light showed nearly white. Basil tookhold of it; and hurriedly tore off the sleeves. He then drew it uponthe dog; and having passed the animal's fore-feet through the arm-holes, tied the collar securely around his throat with a piece of thong, andknotted the skirts over the flanks behind. Thus arrayed, Marengo lookedlike a street monkey; and was rendered quite visible in the glimmeringdarkness. 

"Now!" cried Basil, exultingly, "we can follow him if it were as dark aspitch. "

"Stay a moment, " said Lucien; "let us make sure. It is clear enough--Ican write yet. " As Lucien said this, he took out his note-book, andwrote:--

"_Francois, come back on your own trail. You will find us upon it. Ifyou cannot follow it, let Marengo guide you_. "

He tore out the leaf, handing it to Basil, who fastened it securely tothe shirt. 

Marengo was again set loose, and took to the trail, while both mountedhastily and followed him. 

Fortunately the night did not turn out so dark as they had anticipated;and they could see the white covering with sufficient distinctness toenable them to follow it, even at a gallop. And thus they rode fornearly another hour--Basil still blazing their trail as they swept pastthe timber islets. 

All at once, as they rounded a thick grove, a bright object glistenedbefore their eyes. It was a blazing fire under the shadow of some talltrees! Marengo made straight for it. Fearing it might be an encampmentof Indians, Basil galloped forward; and, alighting from his horse, intercepted the dog. A halt was made to determine what was best to bedone. At that moment the fire blazed up, and a spotted object was seennear it. Hurrah! It was Francois' mustang! Basil and Lucien nowadvanced rapidly; and, to their great joy, beheld Francois sitting bythe fire holding something over the blaze. The next moment the brotherswere in each other's arms, all three weeping with joy as they embraced!

Francois soon related his adventures. He had killed his turkey, andthen lost himself; but instead of going back upon his own trail, asBasil had done, he had wandered about until night-fall, at intervalsshouting and firing his gun. At times his spirit failed him; and herode for long stretches without touching the bridle, or in any wayguiding his horse. Wearied at length, he dismounted, and tied theanimal to a tree. It was night when he did so; and feeling cold andhungry, he took courage and kindled a fire. Fortunately the gobblerstill hung from the cantle of his saddle; and he had just singed, andwas roasting it over the fire, when so agreeably interrupted by theapproach of his brothers. At sight of the fine broiling turkey, Basiland Lucien became as hungry as a pair of wolves--for, in consequence oftheir anxiety, they had not thought of dining. The roast was soonready; and, after a plentiful supper--which Marengo shared--the younghunters staked their horses upon the grass, wrapped themselves in theirblankets, and went to sleep. 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN. 

JEANETTE AND THE JAVALIES. 

Next morning they were astir at an early hour; and, after giving theremains of the gobbler a hurried "devilling, " they ate them, and rodeoff on the back trail. They did not put the dog upon it to guide them--as the scent was now cold, and they feared that Marengo, keen as he was, might get astray upon it. They trusted to find it from their owntracks, and the "blazes" they had made. It was a slow process, and theywere obliged to make frequent halts; but it was a sure one, and theypreferred it on that account, as they knew the importance of gettingback to Jeanette. The tent, with all their provisions and implements, was in her keeping. 

They were in high spirits--as most people are who have just escaped froma perilous adventure--and joked each other as they rode along. Lucienwas without a shirt--for Marengo had torn it, and it was now draggled, wet, and worthless. This was a staple joke for Francois. Jeanette camein for a share of their badinage, as Lucien now remembered that he hadtied her head within a foot of the tree, and of course she would be allthis time without eating a morsel. Moreover, in their hurry, the packhad been left upon her back; and that was not likely to improve hertemper. 

It was near mid-day when they came within sight of her. 

"Hilloa!" exclaimed Francois, who first caught a glimpse of her round apoint of timber. "What's going on yonder?"

All three halted, and looked across the plain with astonishment depictedin their faces; and no wonder, for a sight it was to astonish anybody. It was Jeanette, to be sure; but Jeanette in most singular attitudes. Her heels were flying in the air--now her fore-feet, now her hind ones--not in single flings, but in constant and rapid kicking. Sometimes thewhole set appeared to bounce up at once; and the white canvas of thetent, which had got loosened, was flapping up and down, as her body roseand fell. 

The boys looked on for a moment, with feelings of curiosity, notunmingled with fear. "It might be Indians, " thought they. 

"No, " said Basil. "It is wolves--she is attacked by wolves! Let ushasten to her rescue!"

All three spurred their horses into a gallop, and soon got within a fewhundred yards. They could now see the ground by the mule's feet, whichwas covered, not with wolves, but with animals of a far differentspecies. They were hog-shaped, with small, dark bodies, and longpointed snouts. They had no tails--only knobs in their place; and theirtapering snouts opened into a pair of long jaws, with white tusks, thatcould be seen even in the distance. 

"_Javalies_!" cried Lucien, who, although he had never seen the animal, knew them from description. Javalies they were in fact--the wild-hogsof Mexico. 

All three had pulled up, as soon as they saw the animals were notwolves. They did not halt long, for Jeanette was in danger. She wasstill kicking and squealing like a cat; while the javalies, althoughseveral of them lay stretched behind her heels, were uttering theirshrill grunts, and rushing at her shanks whenever these rested for amoment upon the earth. There were more than a hundred of them aroundher feet. The ground was literally covered with their dark forms, crowding each other, and springing nimbly about. 

Without waiting to consider the danger, Basil dashed into their midst, followed by Francois and Lucien. It was well they were mounted, elsethey never would have come out of that crowd again. All three had firedas they rode up. They believed that this would have scattered thedrove; but they found their mistake, for although each of them shot downa victim, it had no effect; and the next moment, their three horses werehopping about, plunging and pitching as badly as Jeanette. The javaliessurrounded them with shrill gruntings, driving their tusks into thehorses' shanks, and leaping up almost high enough to reach the ridersthemselves. It was well for them they were good riders. Had any ofthem been unhorsed at that moment, his fate would have been sealed. They kept their saddles, however, but without being able to reload theirpieces. Marengo, who was an old Texas hound, had seen javalies before;and having wisely shied off upon the prairie, stood looking on. 

The young hunters soon saw that it was no use keeping their ground, andprepared to retreat. Basil urged his horse forward to the tree, andwith his hunting-knife cut the lasso that fastened Jeanette; then, shouting to his brothers to follow, started in a gallop across theprairie. 

Perhaps never was a mule more pleased at getting loose from a fasteningthan was that she-mule Jeanette; and never did a mule make better use ofthe heels that had been left her. She galloped over the prairie, as ifthe very deuce had been after her. But if he _was not_, the javalies_were_; for on came the whole drove, scores of them, grunting andscreaming as they ran. 

The horses easily distanced them. So, too, did Marengo--but there wasstill danger for Jeanette. She had been now nearly two days withouteither food or water, and was weak in consequence. Her legs, too, weremuch torn by the tusks of the wild-hogs. Moreover, the tent that hadgot loose, trailing on one side to the ground, considerably impeded herflight. This last circumstance in the end proved her salvation; for thejavalies, overtaking her, seized the hanging canvas in their jaws, andpulled it from the pack. It fell spreading over the grass like ablanket; and the herd, now coming up and mistaking it for their realenemy, commenced stamping upon it with their hoofs, and tearing it withtheir teeth. This gave Jeanette time; and she was just the mule at thatmoment to profit by it. Lightened of her load, she struck out into afleet gallop, and soon overtook the horses; and the whole cavalcade nowkept on, until they had placed several miles between themselves and thejavalies. Here they halted with the intention of pitching their camps, as their animals were not only wearied, but Jeanette was hardly able totravel at all. The process of "pitching camp" was now considerablysimplified, as they had lost not only their tent, but several of theircamp utensils. 

What had induced the javalies to attack the mule? This was the subjectof conversation with our adventurers, as soon as they had fairly cooledfrom their race. They knew that these creatures rarely make an assaultin such a manner without provocation. But it was likely Jeanette hadgiven them this. No doubt they had been wandering about in search offood, and lighted upon the turkeys, that Lucien and Basil in their hastehad left lying upon the ground. The wild-hogs are not particular as totheir food. They will eat fish, flesh, or fowl, snakes, or vegetables;and, finding the brace of birds, had commenced devouring them. In doingso they had come within reach of Jeanette's heels; who, at that momentnot being in the best temper had no doubt let fly, and kicked one ofthem over, and this of course had led to a general onslaught from thewhole herd. 

It was well for Jeanette that her masters arrived when they did, elseher old ribs would soon have cracked under the sharp tusks of theenraged animals. 

The javalies, or _peccaries_--as they are more often termed bynaturalists--are in general of a harmless disposition; and, if notinterfered with, will rarely make an attack upon man. When provoked, however--by one of their number being wounded, or even when their hauntis invaded--they become both fierce and dangerous. Though smallcreatures, they possess extreme courage; and their powerful jaws andlarge tusks render them formidable assailants. Like all animals of thehog species when enraged, they seem to be unconscious of danger; and aherd of them will battle with an enemy until every one has fallen. Notunfrequently the Mexican hunter is "treed" by javalies, and compelled toremain on his perch for hours, and sometimes for days, before hisbesiegers retire, and leave him to descend with safety. 

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. 

A CUNNING CAT AND A SLY OLD 'POSSUM. 

The place where our adventurers now encamped was in a large grove ofwhite oaks and shell-bark hickory-trees. There was a spring near thecentre of the grove, and near this spring the horses were tied, as theregrew around it plenty of grass of the mezquite species. The dried meat, which formed the staple of their own provisions, had been scattered byJeanette in her flight, and of course lost. What were they to have fordinner? This was an important question; and by way of answer to it, Basil and Francois took up their guns and walked out to see whether theycould fall in with a squirrel or some other eatable creature. But thesun was yet high, and no squirrels could be seen--for these littlecreatures hide themselves during mid-day, coming out only in themornings and evenings to feed and play. 

Failing to start any game in the thick shady grove, the young huntersbethought them of making trial around its edge; and, after walking ahundred yards or so, they came near the border of the prairie. They didnot show themselves suddenly, as they were in hopes they might discoverdeer, partridges, or some other game in--what is usually a favouriteresort--the open ground along the edge of the woods. They stolesilently forward, therefore, using the large tree-trunks to screen them. 

The prairie was a clear one--that is, without timber-islands, only hereand there a tree, and these but small ones, mostly black-jacks andshell-barks. They could see over its surface to a great extent, as itwas quite level and covered with short spring buffalo-grass. No deerwas upon it. Not an animal of any sort. Yes, there was. On lookingmore carefully, at no great distance--about two hundred yards out--theybeheld two small creatures running over the sward, and at intervalssquatting upon their haunches like monkeys, as if conversing with eachother. 

"Prairie-dogs, " suggested Francois. 

"No, " said Basil, "they are not that, for I see no tails. Theprairie-dogs have long tails. "

"What can they be, then?"

"Hares, I take it, " replied Basil, looking through his fingers. 

"Hares!" ejaculated Francois, in some surprise. "Why, they are notbigger than rats! Do you mean that they are young hares?"

"No, indeed, full-grown hares of their species. "

"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Francois. "Why, brother, what are your eyes goodfor? You think they are far off, don't you? I tell you they are nottwo hundred yards from us, and a grey squirrel would be a giant besidethem. Hares, indeed!"

"I am still of that opinion, " answered Basil, as he continued to gazeintently at the animals. "I am not certain, though. I wish Lucien werehere. Perhaps he could tell us what they are. "

"Here he is, then, " said Francois, as the footstep of Lucien was heardbehind them. "Look yonder, Luce!" continued he. "See what Basil callsa pair of full-grown hares!"

"And Basil is right, " replied Lucien, after having examined them for amoment. "They _are_ full-grown hares. "

Francois looked confounded. 

"If I mistake not, " continued Lucien, "they are the species known amongthe Indians of the prairie as the `little chief hare. ' They may be adifferent variety, though, for there are several species of these smallhares found in the Rocky Mountains, and the prairies that lie aroundthem. They are very rare. I wish we could get the skin of one. I amsure papa would prize it highly. "

"That we may soon get, " said Francois. "Can I not step forward, andshoot one of them?"

"No, " replied Lucien, "they would be off like the wind, before you couldget within range. "

"What about Marengo? Can he not catch one?"

"I think not; besides, he would tear it in pieces. No. Our only chanceis to remain here. They appear to be making this way. "

The three now took their stations behind the trunks of large trees, soas not to be observed by the timid little animals. 

The latter, as they fed and sported over the grass, were still gettingnearer to the edge of the grove; but as they advanced in an obliquedirection, they were not likely to approach the point where the younghunters were stationed. These thought of moving farther along, so as tomeet them; and were about starting to do so, when an object appearedthat caused them to remain where they were. 

Silently moving among the weeds and brambles, now trotting quicklybehind the covering of a prostrate log, now slowly crawling over themore open ground, went a strange animal. At intervals it stopped, squatted low along the earth, and looked eagerly out upon the prairie. It did not see the young hunters. Its yellow eyes were bent upon theinnocent little creatures that gambolled over the grass beyond. 

It was an odd-looking animal--about the size of a terrier-dog, but, otherwise, altogether unlike one. It was of a reddish yellow colour, with brown spots upon its sides, and stripes or bands of the same alongits back. These gave it the appearance of the leopard or tiger species, and it resembled these animals in the rounded, cat-like form of itshead. Its erect tufted ears, however, and short tail showed that itdiffered, in some respects, from the tiger kind. The tail, indeed, wasthe oddest thing about it. It was not over five inches in length, curving stiffly upward, and looking as if it had been "stumped, " as thetails of terriers usually are. It was not so, however. Five inches wasall the tail it ever had; and this shortness of tail, with the thickclumsy legs--but, above all, the high tufted ears, approaching eachother at their tips, --enabled the young hunters to tell what it was--_alynx_. It was that species known as the "bay lynx" (_lynx rufus_), commonly called in America the "wild cat, " and sometimes the"catamount. " It was the Texas variety of this animal--which is deeperin colour than the common bay lynx, and, I think, a different species. It was evidently doing its best to get near the little hares, and seizeone or both of them. It knew it was not swift enough to run them down, but it might get close enough to spring upon them. It was favoured tosome extent by the ground; for, although it was open prairie, the whitewithered grass of the previous year rose here and there over the newgrowth in tufts, large enough to conceal its body as it squatted. 

Nearly in a direct line between the lynx and the hares grew a solitarytree, of the _pecan_ species, with spreading limbs; and almost under itwas a little patch or thicket of briars, weeds, and high grass--no doubtwhere some old log, or the carcass of an animal, had mouldered away, andfertilised the soil. For this the lynx was making on one side, andtowards it the hares were feeding on the other. 

The latter had got very near it, and near, too, to the boys, who couldnow distinguish their long, erect ears, slender limbs, and gracefulmotions--resembling, in fact, those of the common hare. Their colour, however, was different. It was a rusty fern, lighter underneath, but inno part--not even under the tail--did any white appear. It was abeautiful sight to behold these innocent little creatures, now nibblingat the blades of grass, now leaping a few feet over the sward, and thensettling comically upon their haunches. The young hunters thought it abeautiful sight; and so would you, boy reader, had you witnessed themanoeuvres of these miniature hares. 

An odd-looking object now presented itself directly in front of them, and close to the briars. It was of a round shape, and looked like alarge clew of hair or wool of a greyish colour, half-buried in theground. Whether it had been there before, neither Basil, nor Lucien, nor Francois, could tell. It might have been without their noticing it, as their attention was so occupied with the hares and the lynx. Francois said he _had_ noticed it a little before; but it had onlyslightly arrested his attention, as he supposed it to be a tuft of thedry grass or a globe-cactus (_echinocactus_)--a species of which theyhad seen much of late, and to which it bore a considerable resemblance. It was evident, however, on closer scrutiny it was not that. 

The little hares seemed to notice it about the same time; and, promptedby curiosity, they drew nearer and nearer to it. There was nothingabout its appearance to alarm them. They had never been attacked by anenemy in that shape. To all appearance it had neither teeth nor claws, and consequently they had nothing to fear. 

Encouraged by the absence of all danger, and vieing with each other inboldness, the little creatures advanced, first one and then the other, afew inches farther, and so on, until their noses almost touched thestrange object. All at once the clew-like body flew out, displaying asharp-snouted four-footed animal, whose long serpent-like tail, at thesame instant, sweeping around caught one of the hares in its prehensileembrace! The little creature uttered a shrill squeak, while itscompanion bounded off in terror. 

The opossum (for it was no other than an old she 'possum), now turnedupon her tail; and, seizing the head of the hare in her hog-like jaws, killed it at a single "cranch. " She then released it from the coil;and, laying it out upon the grass, would have made a meal of it then andthere, had she been permitted to do so. But that was not ordained tobe. 

The lynx, who was crouching forward, not twenty feet from the briars, had been a witness to all this. At first it seemed to give him chagrin. In a little while, however, he appeared rather to like it thanotherwise. 

"On second thoughts, " said he to himself, "it is better as it is. The'possum has saved me the trouble of catching the hare, and I might havemissed it withal. _She_ has _captured_ the game, but _I_ shall _eat_it, I guess. "

These thoughts he certainly had--for they were as clearly expressed byhis actions, as if he had been gifted with speech and had uttered themaloud. In accordance with them, therefore, he crept on, intending tospring upon the 'possum unawares. 

The latter, however, before commencing to eat, like all who know thatthey have done a guilty deed, raising herself to her full height, lookedaround to see if any one had been a witness to the act. Her eyes fellupon the lynx; and, hastily seizing the hare in her teeth, she plungedinto the bramble. 

The lynx, seeing that further concealment was of no use, bounded forwardwith curved back and mane erect. He did not at once follow into thebriars, but ran around them, in order to discover at what point the'possum had hid herself. He was not without apprehensions that _shemight have a hole there_. If so, good-bye to both hare and 'possum, thought he. 

It appeared not, however; for, after a few circlings around the patch, he was seen to dash boldly in. 

For some time nothing could be seen of either lynx or 'possum. Thepatch covered only a few yards of the prairie, but it was a regular"brake, " with vines, briars, and thistles, thickly interwoven andcanopied with leaves. Neither uttered any noise; but the motion of theleaves, and of the brambles at different points, told that a hot pursuitwas going on underneath--the pursued no doubt baffling the pursuer, byher body being much smaller and better adapted for squeezing throughnarrow places. 

For some minutes this curious chase was kept up. Then the 'possumglided out into the open ground, to the astonishment of all stillcarrying the hare in her mouth. She made directly for the tree, andproceeded to climb it, grasping the trunk with her fore-arms, like ahuman being. Her taking to the tree also excited surprise, as it was asmall one--not over thirty feet high--and the young hunters knew thatthe lynx could climb as well as she. 

The latter now came out of the bramble; and with one bound sprang to thefoot of the pecan. He did not follow up immediately, but stopped amoment to breathe himself, evidently exulting--as he knew he couldeasily climb after, and feeling satisfied that he now had his game safeand secure. 

"Treed at last, old mother 'possum!" soliloquised he, although not_aloud_. "I'll get you now, an' if I don't give you a good woppin' forthe trouble you've put me to--_see if I don't_! I wouldn't eat ye, nohow--you ain't sweet enough for that--but I'll eat that hare, an' I'llchastise you for using it so!"

And with this determination he galloped up the pecan, his claws rattlingagainst the bark. 

By this time the opossum had got near the top of the tree, and out uponone of the branches that grew horizontally. Along this the lynxfollowed; and had arrived almost within reach of the object of hispursuit, when the opossum, suddenly lapping the branch with her tail, let herself down to the limb below! The lynx appeared for a moment asif about to spring after; but the limb was a slender one, and he was notsure that he might be able to grasp it. He, therefore, turned back, evidently chagrined; and, descending by the main trunk, ran out upon thebranch now occupied by the opossum. The latter, as before, again letherself down to another limb; and then, without waiting for her pursuer, to another still lower, until she hung on the very lowermost branch ofthe tree!

The boys thought she was about to drop to the ground, and endeavour toescape to the woods. That, however, was not her intention, for she knewthe lynx would soon overtake her if she made the attempt. She had gotinto the safest situation possible, under the circumstances, and _she_seemed to know it. She therefore continued to hang on the lowest limbof the pecan--so near its extremity, that the branch bent under herweight. It would not have carried another 'possum--much less theheavier body of a lynx; and the latter, with the "eye of a lynx, " sawthat at a glance. 

Mortified as he was, however, he was determined to satisfy himself by atrial. He first crawled out upon the limb, proceeding with greatcaution as far as he dared venture; and then with outstretched clawendeavoured to reach the rings of her tail, thinking he might scratchthem off. In this he was not successful. He could barely touch thetail with his toes; and he might just as well have tried to open theclaws of an eagle. He next mounted the brands above, thinking thiswould bring him nearer; but he soon discovered his mistake. Again heran out upon the limb where the opossum hung, and looked for a moment asif determined to spring down upon her, and carry her along with him tothe earth; but the distance deterred him, and after a while he skulkedback and squatted himself in a fork of the tree. 

He did not rest long before a new thought, seemed to strike him. The'possum was not so very high above the ground; perhaps he could springup and seize her by the nose? It was at all events easy to make thetrial. And with this intention he descended to the foot of the tree, and ran out to the spot over which she was hanging. But she was higherthan he had calculated; and, like the fox with the grapes, after a fewleaps he gave it up. He was resolved, however, to make her stand asiege; and, thinking he would be as comfortable where he was, he did notreturn to the tree, but sat down upon the grass, keeping his eyes fixedupon his antagonist. 

All this while the old 'possum hung quietly upon her tail, holding thehare in her teeth. From the moment she had secured herself in herpresent position, she seemed to have no fear of her antagonist. On thecontrary, her countenance exhibited the expression of a maliciouslaugh--and this was as evident to the spectators, as words could havemade it. The cunning creature plainly enjoyed the chagrin she wascausing to the "catamount. "

At intervals, however, the thought seemed to stray across her mind as tohow it would all end: and then she assumed a graver look. The lynx, wasdetermined--she saw that in his face--to make her stand a long siege. It would be, therefore, a question of patience and hunger. For thelatter she was prepared; and, to enable her to endure it the better, shepassed the hare into her hand-like fore-feet, and commenced tearing andeating it!

This was too much for the patience of the lynx. He could bear it nolonger, but rose suddenly to his feet; and, with mane erect, rushed upthe tree again, and out upon the branch where hung the opossum. Thistime, without stopping to calculate the danger, he sprang forward, throwing his fore-feet around the other's hips, and seizing her tail inhis teeth. The branch creaked, then broke, and both fell together tothe earth!

For a moment the lynx seemed stunned by the fall; but, the next moment, he was "himself again. " He raised himself up; arched his back like atrue cat; and, with a wild scream, pounced down upon the 'possum. Heseemed to have forgotten the hare, which the other had dropped in herfall. Revenge was the passion that now raged strongest within him. Revenge caused him to forget that he was hungry. 

The opossum, as soon as she came to the ground, had suddenly clewedherself up; and now presented the same appearance as when she first cameupon the stage. Head, neck, limbs, and tail, were no longer visible--nothing but a round ball of thick, woolly hair! At this the catamounttugged with "teeth and toe-nails. " He worried it for not less than tenminutes, until he became weary. The 'possum was dead to all appearance;and this the other seemed to think, --or whether he did or not, at allevents, he became tired, and left off worrying her. The sweetermorsel--the hare--was before his eyes; and this, perhaps, tempted him todesist, preferring to try his teeth for a while upon it. Leaving the'possum at length, he turned round and seized upon the hare. 

At this moment Francois let Marengo slip, and the whole party rushedforward with shouts. 

The lynx, seeing his retreat cut off from the timber, struck out uponthe prairie; but the great hound soon overtook him; and after a shortbut desperate fight, put an end to his poaching. 

The young hunters in the pursuit had picked up the hare, which the lynxhad dropped in his flight. When the chase was over they came back tothe tree, with the intention of getting the dead 'possum, which theymeant to cook for their supper. To their astonishment no 'possum wasthere--neither in the tree, nor the briar-patch beside it, nor anywhere!The sly creature had been "playing 'possum" throughout all thatterrible worrying; and, finding the coast clear, had "unclewed" herself, and stolen off to her hiding-place under the roots of some neighbouringtree!

Nothing remained but the body of the lynx and the poor little carcass ofthe hare. The former none of our adventurers cared to eat, although itis often eaten both by the trappers and Indians--and the latter was sotorn and chawed as to render it worthless. So, since no other game--noteven a squirrel--could be found about the place, all four--Lucien, Basil, Francois, and _Marengo_, went to sleep--for the first time sincethe commencement of their journey--_supperless_!

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. 

AN ODD ADVENTURE BEFORE BREAKFAST. 

They had plenty of meat for their breakfast though--such as it was--andcame nigh paying dearly enough for it. 

The three brothers slept lying along the ground within a few feet of oneanother. Their tent was gone, and, of course, they were in the openair. They were under a large spreading tree, and, wrapped in theirblankets, had been sleeping soundly through the night. Day was justbeginning to break, when something touched Francois on the forehead. Itwas a cold, clammy object; and, pressing upon his hot skin, woke him atonce. He started as if a pin had been thrust into him; and the crywhich he uttered awoke also his companions. Was it a snake that hadtouched him? Francois thought so at the moment, and continued to thinkso while he was rubbing his eyes open. When this feat was accomplished, however, he caught a glimpse of some object running off, that could notbe a snake. 

"What do you think it was?" inquired Basil and Lucien, in the samebreath. 

"A wolf, I think, " replied Francois. "It was his cold nose I felt. See! yonder it goes. See--see--there are two of them!"

Francois pointed in the direction in which the two animals were seen torun. Basil and Lucien looked, and saw them as well. They were aboutthe size of wolves, but appeared to be quite black, and not like wolvesat all. What could they be? They had suddenly passed into a darkeraisle among the trees, and the boys had only caught a glimpse of them asthey went in. They could still distinguish their two bodies in theshade, but nothing more. What could they be? Perhaps javalies? Thisthought, no doubt, occurred to the brothers, because of their lateadventure with these animals. 

"They are too large, and run too clumsily, for javalies, " said Lucien. 

"Bears?" suggested Francois. 

"No, no; they are not large enough for bears. "

All three were puzzled. 

They had risen upon their hands and knees, disencumbered themselves oftheir blankets, and each had grasped his gun, which they always keptclose by them when asleep. 

They remained in this position, straining their eyes up the gloomy alleyafter the two black objects that had stopped about fifty yards distant. All at once the form of a man rose up before them, and directly in frontof the animals. Instead of retreating from the latter, as the boysexpected, the upright figure stood still. To their furtherastonishment, the two animals ran up to it, and appeared to leap againstit, as if making an attack upon it! But this could not be--since thefigure did not move from its place, as one would have done who had beenattacked. On the contrary, after a while, it stooped down, and appearedto be caressing them!

"A man and two dogs, " whispered Francois; "perhaps an Indian!"

"It may be a man, " returned Lucien, also speaking in a whisper. "I knownot what else it could be; but those _are no dogs_, or I never sawsuch. "

This Lucien uttered with emphasis and in a serious tone, that caused thebrothers to draw closer to each other. 

During all this time Marengo stood by, restrained by them from rushingforward. The dog had not awaked until the first cry of Francois rousedhim. He was wearied with the long gallop of the preceding days; and, like his masters, had been sleeping soundly. As all started almostsimultaneously, a word from Basil had kept him in--for to this he hadbeen well trained--and without a signal from him he was not used toattack any creature, not even his natural enemies. He therefore stoodstill, looking steadily in the same direction as they, and at intervalsuttering a low growl that was almost inaudible. There was a fiercenessabout it, however, that showed he did not regard the strange objects asfriends. Perhaps he knew what they were, better than any of the party. 

The three mysterious creatures still remained near the same spot, andabout fifty yards from the boys. They did not remain motionless though. The two smaller ones ran over the ground--now separating from theupright figure and then returning again, and appearing to caress it asbefore. The latter now and then stooped, as if to receive theircaresses, and--when they were not by--as though it was gatheringsomething from the ground. It would then rise into an upright position, and remain motionless as before. All their manoeuvres were performed inperfect silence. 

There was something mysterious--awe-inspiring in these movements; andour young hunters observed them, not without feelings of terror. Theywere both puzzled and awed. They scarcely knew what course to adopt. They talked in whispers, giving their counsels to each other. Shouldthey creep to their horses, mount, and ride off? That would be of nouse; for if what they saw was an Indian, there were, no doubt, othersnear; and they could easily track and overtake them. They felt certainthat the strange creatures knew they were there--for indeed theirhorses, some thirty yards off, could be plainly heard stamping theground and cropping the grass. Moreover, one of the two animals hadtouched and smelt Francois; so there could be no mistake about _it_being aware of their presence. It would be idle, therefore, to attemptgetting off unawares. What then? Should they climb into a tree? That, thought they, would be of just as little use; and they gave up the idea. They resolved, at length, to remain where they were, until they shouldeither be assailed by their mysterious neighbours, or the clearer lightmight enable them to make out who and what these were. 

As it grew clearer, however, their awe was not diminished; for they nowsaw that the upright figure had two thick strong-looking arms, which itheld out horizontally, manoeuvring with them in a singular manner. Itscolour, too, appeared reddish, while that of the small animals was deepblack! Had they been in the forests of Africa, or _South_ instead of_North_ America, they would have taken the larger figure for that of agigantic ape. As it was, they knew it could not be that. 

The light suddenly became brighter--a cloud having passed off theeastern sky. Objects could be seen more distinctly, and then themystery, that had so long held the young hunters in torturing suspense, was solved. The large animal reared up and stood with its side towardsthem; and its long pointed snout, its short erect ears, its thick bodyand shaggy coat of hair, showed that it was no Indian nor human creatureof any sort, but _a huge bear standing upright on its hams_. 

"A she-bear and her cubs!" exclaimed Francois; "but see!" he continued, "_she_ is red, while the cubs are jet-black!"

Basil did not stop for any observation of that kind. He had sprung tohis feet and levelled his rifle, the moment he saw what the animal was. 

"For your life do not fire!" cried Lucien. "It _may be a grizzlybear_!"

His advice came too late. The crack of Basil's rifle was heard; and thebear dropping upon all fours, danced over the ground shaking her headand snorting furiously. The light had deceived Basil; and instead ofhitting her in the head as he had intended, his bullet glanced from hersnout, doing her but little harm. Now, the snout of a bear is its mostprecious and tender organ, and a blow upon that will rouse even the mosttimid species of them to fury. So it was with this one. She saw whencethe shot came; and, as soon as she had given her head a few shakes, shecame in a shuffling gallop towards the boys. 

Basil now saw how rashly he had acted, but there was no time forexpressing regrets. There was not even time for them to get to theirhorses. Before they could reach these and draw the pickets, the bearwould overtake them. Some one of them would become a victim. 

"Take to the trees!" shouted Lucien; "if it be a grizzly bear, shecannot climb. "

As Lucien said this, he levelled his short rifle and fired at theadvancing animal. The bullet seemed to strike her on the flank, as sheturned with a growl and bit the part. This delayed her for a moment, and allowed Lucien time to swing himself to a tree. Basil had thrownaway his rifle, not having time to reload. Francois, when he saw thegreat monster so near, dropped his gun without firing. 

All three in their haste climbed separate trees. It was a grove ofwhite oaks, as we have already stated; and these trees, unlike thepines, or magnolias, or cypress-trees, have usually great limbs growinglow down and spreading out horizontally. These limbs are often as manyfeet in length as the tree itself is in height. 

It was upon these that they had climbed--Basil having taken to that oneunder which they had slept, and which was much larger than the othersaround. At the foot of this tree the bear stopped. The robes andblankets drew her attention for the moment. She tossed them over withher great paws, and then left them, and walked round the trunk, lookingupward, at intervals uttering loud "sniffs, " that sounded like the"'scape" of a steam-pipe. By this time Basil had reached the third orfourth branch from the ground. He might have gone much higher; but, from what Lucien had suggested, he believed the animal to be a grizzlybear. Her colour, which was of a fern or fulvous brown, confirmed himin that belief--as he knew that grizzly bears are met with of a greatvariety of colours. He had nothing to fear then, even on the lowestbranch, and he thought it was no use going higher. So he stopped andlooked down. He had a good view of the animal below; and to hisconsternation he saw at a glance that it was _not_ a grizzly, but adifferent species. Her shape, as well as general appearance, convincedhim it was the "cinnamon" bear--a variety of the black, and one of thebest tree-climbers of the kind. This was soon put beyond dispute, asBasil saw the animal throw her great paws around the trunk, and commencecrawling upward!

It was a fearful moment. Lucien and Francois both leaped back to theground, uttering shouts of warning and despair. Francois picked up hisgun, and without hesitating a moment ran to the foot of the tree, andfired both barrels into the hips of the bear. The small shot hardlycould have penetrated her thick shaggy hide. It only served to irritateher afresh, causing her to growl fiercely; and she paused for somemoments, as if considering whether she would descend and punish the"enemy in the rear, " or keep on after Basil. The rattling of the latteramong the branches above decided her, and on she crawled upward. 

Basil was almost as active among the branches of a tree as a squirrel ora monkey. When about sixty feet from the ground, he crawled out upon along limb that grew horizontally. He chose this one, because he sawanother growing above it, which he thought he might reach as soon as thebear followed him out upon the first; and by this means get back to themain trunk before the bear, and down to the ground again. After gettingout upon the limb, however, he saw that he had miscalculated. Thebranch upon which he was, bending down under his weight, so widened thedistance between it and the one above, that he could not reach thelatter, even with the tips of his fingers. He turned to go back. Tohis horror the bear was at the other end in the fork, and _preparing tofollow him along the limb_!

He could not go back without meeting the fierce brute in the teeth. There was no branch below within his reach, and none above, and he wasfifty feet from the ground. To leap down appeared the only alternativeto escape the clutches of the bear, and that alternative was certaindeath!

The bear advanced along the limb. Francois and Lucien screamed below, loading their pieces as rapidly as they could; but they feared theywould be too late. 

It was a terrible situation; but it was in such emergencies that thestrong mind of Basil best displayed itself; and, instead of yielding todespair, he appeared cool and collected. His mind was busy examiningevery chance that offered. 

All at once a thought struck him; and, obedient to its impulse, hecalled to his brothers below, --

"A rope! a rope! Fling me a rope! Haste! for heaven's sake haste! arope, or I am lost!"

Fortunately, there lay a rope under the tree. It was a raw-hide lasso, used in packing Jeanette. It lay by the spot where they had slept. 

Lucien dropped his half-loaded rifle, and sprang towards it, coiling itas he took it up. Lucien could throw a lasso almost as well as Basilhimself; and that was equal to a Mexican "vaquero" or a "gaucho" of thePampas. He ran nearly under the limb, twirled the lasso around hishead, and launched it upwards. 

Basil, to gain time, had crept out upon the limb as far as it would bearhim, while his fierce pursuer followed after. The branch, under theirunited weight, bent downward like a bow. Fortunately, it was oak, anddid not break. 

Basil was astride, his face turned to the tree and towards his pursuer. The long snout of the latter was within three feet of his head, and hecould feel her warm breath, as with open jaws she stretched forward, snorting fiercely. 

At this moment the ring-end of the lasso struck the branch directlybetween them, passing a few feet over it. Before it could slip backagain, and fall off, the young hunter had grasped it; and with thedexterity of a packer, double-knotted it around the limb. The nextmoment, and just as the great claws of the bear were stretched forth toclutch him, he slipped off the branch, and glided down the lasso. 

The rope did not reach the ground by at least twenty feet! It was ashort one, and part of it had been taken up in the hasty knotting. Lucien and Francois, in consternation, had observed this from below, assoon as it first hung down. They had observed it, and preparedthemselves accordingly; so that, when Basil reached the end of the rope, he saw his brothers standing below, and holding a large buffalo-skinstretched out between them. Into this he dropped; and the next momentstood upon the ground unhurt. 

And now came the moment of triumph. The tough limb, that had been heldretent by Basil's weight, becoming so suddenly released, flew upwardwith a jerk. 

The unexpected violence of that jerk was too much for the bear. Herhold gave way; she was shot into the air several feet upwards, andfalling with a dull heavy sound to the earth, lay for a momentmotionless! She was only stunned however, and would soon have struggledup again to renew the attack; but, before she could regain her feet, Basil had laid hold of Francois' half-loaded gun; and, hurriedly pouringdown a handful of bullets, ran forward and fired them into her head, killing her upon the spot!

The cubs by this time had arrived upon the ground, and Marengo, who hadnow partially recovered, by way of revenging himself for the castigationhe had received from their mother, attacked them with fury. The littlecreatures fought fiercely; and, together, would have been more than amatch for Marengo; but the rifles of his masters came to his assistance, and put an end to the contest. 

CHAPTER NINETEEN. 

JERKING A BEAR. 

All three--old bear and cubs--now lay stretched along the grass dead asmay be. A rare-looking trio they were. The old one could not haveweighed less than five hundred pounds. Her long, rough coat was of afawn, or cinnamon colour, while the cubs were of a uniform black. This, however, is quite a common thing; and, what is still more singular, thecubs of the black bear are often seen of a reddish or cinnamon colour, while the mother herself is pure black. No doubt the cubs whenfull-grown change to the colour of their own species; but even at allages bears of the same species are found varying in colour fromdifference of climate or other circumstances. 

On the continent of North America, say the naturalists, but threespecies of bears are found, viz the "black, " the "polar, " and the"grizzly. " This is not certain, however, for the cinnamon bear, ofwhich we have been speaking, is probably a species distinct from theblack. If so, there are four kinds on that continent, and, perhaps, afifth; as the brown bear of the Hudson's Bay furriers, hitherto set downas a variety of the black, is more likely the Russian or brown bear ofEurope. It may have reached the American continent by Kamschatka, whereit is a common species. 

The polar bear is found only in the snowy regions that border the ArcticOcean; and never ranges above one hundred miles from the sea. The"grizzly, " for strength, courage, and ferocity, takes the first placeamong the bear family--outranking even his white cousin of the north. We shall have more to say of him by-and-bye. The _black_ bear is ourpresent subject; and as all that is known of the cinnamon variety goesto show that its habits are similar to those of the black, what is heresaid of the one may be considered applicable to both. 

The black bear (_Ursus Americanus_) is said to resemble the brown bearof Europe. I can see no resemblance. There is enough of difference, certainly, to constitute them separate and distinct species. The formerhas one molar tooth more than the latter; besides, the profile of theblack bear is not so much arched, or convex, as that of the brown. Inevery respect, except habits, they are unlike each other. Their habitsare nearly similar. 

The whole American continent is the range of the black bear. He canlive, and no doubt enjoy life, in all climates. He is equally at homein the icy regions of Canada and the tropic swamps of Louisiana. He isfound from the shores of the Atlantic to the Pacific. He inhabits thickforests, and ranges in rocky desert regions, where scarcely any timbergrows. He prefers wooded districts, however; and in these is mostcommonly met with. 

Black bears were very plentiful in America previous to its colonisationby the whites. The demand for their skins caused them to be much huntedsince that event; and of course they are growing less numerous everyday. The fur companies during the last hundred years have obtainedthousands upon thousands of their skins both from white and Indianhunters. There are still many of these animals found in wild, unsettledparts; and even in the old and long-inhabited states they areoccasionally met with in secluded and mountainous districts. You wouldwonder that they have not been extirpated long ago--being such largecreatures, easily discovered and easily tracked; besides, it is alwaysan ambition with the settlers and amateur-hunters to kill them. Moreover, but two cubs are produced at a litter, and that only happensonce a-year. The fact is, that during winter, when the snow is on theground and the bear might be easily tracked and destroyed, he does notshow himself, but lies torpid in his den--which is either a cave in therocks or a hollow tree. This happens only in the northern countries, where there are snows and severe winters. In these he disappears forseveral months, hiding himself in his dark lair, and living, as thehunters assert, by "sucking his paws. " This assertion, however, I willnot attempt to corroborate. All I can say is, that he retires to hislurking-place as "fat as butter, " and comes out again in early spring as"thin as a rail. "

There is another curious fact about bears, that, to some extent, explains why they are not easily exterminated. It is this: the oldshe-animals are never killed during the period of gestation--for theyare never met with at that time. It has been said there is no hunter tobe found in all America who remembers having killed a she-bear withyoung, either of the black or grizzly species. Now this is not the casewith most other animals--such as foxes and wolves--which are oftenkilled with a whole litter of young, many of their species being thusdestroyed at once. 

The she-bear brings forth in winter in the deep recesses of some cave, where she has lain hid during the whole period of her gestation; and onthis account while with young, she rarely, if ever, falls a victim tothe hunters. When the cubs are large enough to go abroad, she takesthem out, treating them with as much tenderness as a mother would herchildren. She will lay down her life for them at any time, defendingthem with great courage when attacked. It has been said that, like thealligator-mother, she is sometimes called upon to protect them fromtheir savage fathers, who would devour them if they could. This I donot believe. 

The black bears are omnivorous. They will eat fish, flesh, fowl, andvegetables. They are fond of all kinds of berries and sweet fruits. They "go crazed" after honey, climbing bee-trees and robbing the nests. They dig for roots--such as groundnuts and prairie-turnips. They lickup the larva of insects greedily, turning over great logs to get atthem. In the south they tear open the nests of turtles and alligators, and devour the eggs; and, where there are settlements, they steal intothe fields and eat quantities of young corn and potatoes, making sadhavoc with the crops. They will devour pigs and other animals, eatingtheir flesh--it might be said, alive--as they do not stop to kill them, but eat while tearing them to pieces. They will satisfy their hungerwith putrid carcass, or, in short, with anything that is eatable by anyother creature. 

Notwithstanding the disgusting variety of his food, the flesh of theblack bear is very palatable. It is a treat among the Indians and whitehunters--particularly the large fat paws, which are esteemed the"tit-bits. " It is, perhaps, because these people are so fond of them, that they are led to believe the bear himself must be so, and thereforeduring his winter retirement entertains himself by sucking them. 

There are many ways of capturing the bear. He is hunted by trainedhounds. When thus attacked he will run straight on for ten miles, ifhis pursuers do not press him too close. When overtaken, however, heturns upon the dogs; and, should one of the latter come near enough, asingle blow of his paws will usually send it sprawling. He runsawkwardly on his plantigrade feet; but, although from his great lengthand size he appears to move but slowly, it is not so. He manages toshuffle over the ground much more rapidly than one would suppose. Hecan overtake a man on foot--although a mounted hunter, with his dogs, will easily overtake _him_. When he finds that he cannot escape byrunning, he takes to a tree; and, having clambered high up, tries tohide himself among the leaves. He does not often succeed in this, asthe keen noses of the hounds guide them to the right tree, where theystand barking and howling until the hunters come up. These finding thebear "treed, " rarely fail to bring him down with their rifles. He willthen, if only wounded, fight fiercely both with dogs and hunters; but itis only at such times that the black bear will contend with man; as, when not attacked by the latter, he will never attack him. Whenwounded, however, or assailed by the hunter, he becomes a dangerousantagonist; and men have been dreadfully mutilated and torn on suchoccasions, escaping only with their lives. Some there are who have beennearly crushed to death by his "hug. "

The black bear is often trapped and snared, in various ways--such as bylog-traps, nooses tied to bent saplings, dead-falls, and steel-traps--and he is thus caught much more readily than either the lynx, the fox, or the wolf. 

It would be easy to fill a volume with anecdotes and adventures in whichthe black bear figures as the hero. Many stories of his peculiar habitsare related in the back settlements of America, some of which are true, while others partake largely of exaggeration. We have not room forthese, however; and I have given you only _facts_, such as will enableyou to form some idea of the general habits of this animal. 

Most of these facts were communicated by Lucien to his brothers, whilethey were engaged in preparing their breakfast; and, as all three werevery hungry, this was the first thing that occupied them after the bearshad been killed. 

The breakfast consisted of part of a cub, which was cleared of the hairby being singed, and then roasted. They knew that bear-meat, like pork, is spoiled by skinning; and they followed the Indian fashion ofpreparing it. They made a hearty meal, as the cub-meat proved bothtender and juicy--having a flavour something between young pork andveal. Of course, Marengo had his breakfast as well, coming in forrefuse bits enough to have filled a large basket. The feet, however, which would have fallen to his share, had it been a deer or a buffalo, he did not get. Our young hunters had eaten bear-paws before; and, ofcoarse, reserved these delicate morsels to themselves. 

As soon as breakfast was finished, and their animals had been led to thewater, the brothers met together in a "council of three. " It wasnecessary to take into consideration how they should now act. Theircircumstances were very much altered. The whole of their provisions ofdried meat, flour, and coffee, had been dropped by Jeanette in herflight, and, of course, eaten up or destroyed by the javalies. Henceforth they would have to depend entirely on their guns to supplythem. The loss of their tent did not vex them, as in the fine summerweather, which they then had, they thought nothing of sleeping in theopen air. But to be deprived of their coffee, that much-prized luxuryof the prairie traveller, was a great chagrin. However, as Basilobserved, they would have to get along without it. It would not be longbefore they should come across the buffalo, and with the delicious"hump-ribs" in plenty, hunters rarely long for other luxuries. Allthree felt satisfied that the buffalo-range was not far off, and that bykeeping due westward they would soon be gratified with the sight oflarge droves of these animals. They resolved, however, to act withcaution. They had heard that many tracts of the prairies are almostbarren of game. With this fact before their minds, they were not goingto leave so much good food behind them as appeared to be in the carcassof the bear. She therefore must be "jerked, " and packed upon Jeanette, in lieu of the load which the latter had kicked off. So, with theseintentions, Basil and Francois set to skinning her, while Luciencommenced collecting dry wood for a large fire. Of course they intendedstaying another night in the same camp, as it would take a day, atleast, to "jerk" the bear-meat. 

The bear was soon skinned and cut up into thin slices and strips--forthat is the mode adopted in "jerking, " or preserving without salt. Itis usual to cure the meat by simply hanging it over poles or lines, in ahot sun; where it will dry sufficiently in three days, so that therewill be no risk of its spoiling afterwards. But our adventurers did notwish to be detained so long, and therefore adopted another mode ofcuring it--that was by "barbecueing" it slightly over a fire. This wasthe plan:--A shallow pit was scooped out in the ground, and across itwere laid green saplings, parallel to each other. Into the pit werethrown embers and red cinders, so as to give up a considerable heat. Upon the saplings thin slices of the meat were laid--as on a gridiron--so that they might become dried and slightly toasted at the same time. Meat cured in this way will keep for months; and the Indians and huntersusually adopt this plan, when they have no time to wait for a regular"jerking. "

The second cub was singed, and cut up without skinning, as pork usuallyis. It was roasted, to be ready for eating at once--as they designedbringing it "to the table" before many hours. 

While the meat was drying, Basil melted some of the fat in the kettle, which fortunately was one of the utensils that still remained. Withthis fat--which beyond a doubt was genuine _bear's grease_--he anointedpoor Jeanette's shanks, that had been almost clean skinned by the teethof the javalies. She had been suffering with them ever since, and theapplication of the bear's grease seemed to give her great relief. 

CHAPTER TWENTY. 

A NOCTURNAL ADVENTURE. 

When night came again the young hunters went to sleep by the fire. Asit had suddenly grown chilly, they lay with their feet towards it, suchbeing the usual practice of hunters when sleeping by a fire. When thefeet are warm, the remainder of the body can easily be kept so; but, onthe contrary, when one's feet become cold, it is scarcely possible tosleep. They were not troubled with cold, and all three were soonsleeping soundly. 

From the necessity of supplying the barbecue every now and then withfresh embers, a large fire had been kept up during the day. It stillcontinued to blaze and crackle in a bright red pile. The meat remainedresting upon the saplings, where it had been placed to dry. 

No one had thought of keeping watch. When camping out at night, intheir hunting expeditions in the swamps of Louisiana, they had notaccustomed themselves to this habit, and they did not think of its beingnecessary here. It is the fear of Indians alone that causes the prairietraveller to keep sentry during the live-long night; but our younghunters had much less fear of them than might be supposed. There hadbeen as yet no hostilities in this quarter between whites and Indians;besides, Basil knew that he carried a token of friendship should thelatter come upon them. 

They had not been more than half-an-hour asleep when a growl fromMarengo awoke them. They all started up into a sitting posture, andlooked anxiously out into the darkness. They could see nothing strange. The great trunks of the trees, with the long silvery moss of whitishhue, were glistening in the light of the still blazing fire. All thespace between was gloomy and black as ebony. They could hear nothingthat sounded strange. There was not a breath of air stirring, so thatthe trees were still and silent, as if asleep. Only up among theirleaves and high tops, the tree-frogs (_Hyloidea_) and cicadas kept uptheir continuous music. Amid their numerous and varied calls could bedistinguished the "ll-l-luk" of the tree-toad (_Hyla versicolor_); andfrom the aquatic plants, that lined the spring close by, came the merrychirrup of the _Hylodes gryllus_, or "Savanna cricket. " Far up amongthe leaves of the oaks the little green tree-frog repeated his tinklingbell-like note that fell with a pleasant sound upon the ear. But allthese were the usual voices of the night--the voices of the southernforest--and they produced no strange impression upon the listeninghunters. The call of the _Hyla_, indeed--loud and oft-repeated as itwas--warned them that a rain-storm was near; and the darkness of the skyabove confirmed the warning. 

But it was not these sounds that had caused Marengo to spring up withsuch a savage growl; and the boys continued attentively listening todiscover what it could have been. 

The dark aisles of the forest sparkled with moving lights. Thefire-flies were abroad in thousands; and their phosphoric lamps, morethan usually luminous, also betokened the approach of a rain-storm. 

As the young hunters gazed, other lights attracted their attention, causing them to hold their guns in readiness. These lights were verydifferent from those of the insects. They were low down near thesurface of the ground. They were round, of a fiery green lustre, andappeared in motion. Now they remained shining steadily for somemoments, then they disappeared, but immediately shone out afresh in someother place. There were many of them moving about. They were notfire-flies. 

Our hunters knew what they were--they were the eyes of animals--of _wildbeasts_! This they knew, but no more. What sort of animals they mightbe was a thing about which they were all three ignorant; and thisuncertainty very naturally filled them with dread. They might be_bears, wolverines, or panthers_. 

The boys talked in whispers, looking to the locks of their pieces, andpreparing themselves for the worst. They were, of course, already seenby the animals, sitting as they did in the light of the fire. Marengostood by, looking into the darkness, and at intervals uttering the growlwith which he was accustomed to hail the presence of an enemy. 

The shining eyes appeared to multiply. All at once a dog was heard toutter three distinct barks. Was it a dog? No. The long and piteoushowl that followed told that the animal was no dog, but a wolf--_thebarking-wolf (Canis latrans_). The moment it had ceased, another tookup the strain, and then another and another, until the woods rang on allsides with their hideous howls. This did not come from any particularside, but seemed everywhere; and as the boys looked into the dark aislesbetween the tree-trunks, they could perceive glancing eyes--a perfectcircle of them all around!

"Bah!" cried Basil, now breaking silence, "it's only a pack ofprairie-wolves. Who cares for their howling?"

The minds of all were thus set at rest. They had no fear ofprairie-wolves; which, though fierce enough when attacking some poordeer or wounded buffalo, are afraid of anything in the shape of man; andwill skulk off, whenever they think the latter has any intention toattack them. This, however, is seldom the case, as the prairie hunterdoes not care to waste a bullet upon them; and they are often permittedto follow, and squat themselves unmolested around the hunter's camp, within reach of his rifle. 

The prairie-wolves are much smaller than any other species of wolf foundin America. They are not much larger than English terriers, and quiteas cunning as the English fox. They can hardly be caught or trapped inany way--though they can be easily run down with horses and dogs. Theyare of a dull, reddish hue, mixed with a grizzle of white hairs. Thisis their usual colour, though, like other animals, there are varieties. They have thick bushy tails, black at the tips, and one-third the lengthof their bodies. They resemble the dogs found among the prairieIndians, of which they are, no doubt, the progenitors. They are metwith throughout all the regions from the Mississippi westward to thePacific, and southward into Mexico. They hunt in packs, like thejackals; and will run down deer, buffaloes, or any other animals whichthey think they can master. They dare not attack a buffalo in the herd, though packs of them always follow a drove of these animals. They waituntil some one gets separated--a young calf, or, perhaps, a decrepit oldbull--which they fall upon and worry to pieces. They follow all partiesof hunters and travellers--taking possession of a camp-ground, themoment its occupants have moved out, and devouring every scrap ofeatables that may have been left behind. They will, even, sometimessteal into the camp by night, and appropriate the very morsel which thehunter had designed for his breakfast in the morning. This sometimesleads to a spirit of retaliation; and the indignant hunter, growing lessprovident of his powder and lead, cracks away until he has laid severalof them stretched along the grass. 

They are more numerous than any other species of American wolves; and onthis account--having so many mouths to feed, and so many stomachs tosatisfy--they often suffer from extreme hunger. Then, but not tillthen, they will eat fruits, roots, and vegetables--in short, anythingthat may sustain life. 

These wolves take their trivial name from their being met withprincipally on the great prairies of the west--although other species ofAmerican wolves are found in the prairie country as well as they. Theyare sometimes called "barking" wolves; because, as we have noticed, thefirst two or three notes of their howl resemble the bark of a dog. Itends, however, in a prolonged and disagreeable scream. 

"I am glad it is they, " said Lucien, in reply to Basil's remark. "It iswell it is no worse. I was afraid it was our friends, the javalies, whohad come to pay us a visit. "

"Bad enough as it is, " said Basil. "We shall now have to keep awake, and guard the meat, or these skulking jackals would not leave us anounce of it by morning. "

"That is true enough, " replied Lucien; "but we need not all watch. Youand Francois go to sleep. I'll stand sentry. "

"No, " responded Basil. "Go _you_ and Francois to sleep. Let me keepwatch. "

"Brothers, " said Francois, "I am not a bit sleepy; let me be the sentry. I'll keep 'em off. "

"No, no, " exclaimed Basil and Lucien, in a breath, "I--I. "

It was finally agreed that Basil should take the watch for a couple ofhours or so--until he became sleepy--when he was to awake and berelieved by Lucien; who, in his turn, could arouse Francois. This beingarranged, the two latter wrapped themselves in their blankets and laydown again, while Basil sat alone, now gazing into the fire, and theninto the gloomy darkness beyond. 

Both Lucien and Francois, notwithstanding the declaration of the latter, were soon snoring like a brace of tops. They had had an early awakingby the bear-scrape of the previous morning; besides, they had been atwork all day, and were wearied. This they must have been, to have goneto sleep with such a discordant howling around them--enough to have keptan opium-eater awake. Basil was wearied as well as they; and he soonbegan to feel what a painful thing it is to keep awake when one issleepy. The eyes of the wolves continued to glare upon him from allsides; but he did not dread them any more, than if they had been so manyhares. There appeared to be a very large pack of them though. Theodoriferous bear-meat had, no doubt, collected all there were for milesaround--in addition to numbers that had been following the trail fordays past. As Basil watched them, he saw they were growing bolder, andgradually approaching nearer. At length, some of them came upon thespot, where lay the bones of the bear at some distance out from thefire. These they attacked at once; and through the dim light Basilcould see them rushing from all quarters to come in for a share. Hecould hear the bones cracking under their teeth, and could see themstruggling and worrying the skeleton and each other in a moving mass. This soon ended. The bones were scraped clean in a twinkling; and thewolves now left them, and scattered over the ground as before. 

"Come, " soliloquised Basil, "I must have more light; they may steal amarch upon me;" and he rose up and threw several armfuls of wood uponthe fire, which soon blazed up again, reflecting the yellow eyes of thewolves in dozens of pairs all around him. This helped to brighten Basila little, and keep him awake; but he sat down again by the fire, andsoon became drowsy as before. Every now and then he caught himselfnodding; and, each time, as he shook himself awake, he noticed that thewolves had ventured nearer to the bear-meat. He could easily have shotany one of them, and thus drive them off for a time; but he did not wisheither to waste his ammunition, or startle his companions. 

As he sat cogitating how he would best keep awake, an idea came into hishead, which caused him to leap to his feet, as if he intended to executesome purpose. 

"I have it now, " said he to himself, placing his rifle against a tree. "I'll get a good nap yet in spite of these filthy yelpers. Strange wedidn't think of the plan before. "

He took up a lasso, and, proceeding to the barbecue, which was close by, commenced laying all the pieces of bear-meat on one end of the rope. This did not occupy him long; and, when he had bundled all and loopedthem securely together, he flung the other end of the lasso over a highbranch, until it hung down so that he could reach it. He now pulleyedup the meat--until it was ten feet or more from the ground--and thenfastened his rope to a log. 

"Now, gentlemen, " muttered he, fancifully addressing the wolves, "youmay prowl about and howl till your throats are sore, but you don't keepme five minutes longer from my rest--that you don't. "

So saying, he laid himself down, and commenced wrapping himself in hisblankets. 

"Ha!" he continued, as he caught a glimpse of several of the animalsrunning forward and looking upwards at the swinging meat; "Ha!Messieurs Loups, don't you wish you may get it? Ha! ha! ha! Goodnight!"

So speaking and laughing, he stretched himself alongside his brothers, and in five minutes' time was snoring as loudly as either of them. 

But Basil, with all his craft, was not so cunning upon the presentoccasion as he thought himself--not half so cunning as the wolves, whomhe believed he had outwitted. The latter, seeing that he had gone tosleep, boldly drew nearer and nearer, until scores of them covered thespot over which hung the meat. Here they ran about, tumbling over eachother, and all looking upward. They remained silent, however, lest theymight awake the sleepers. Some sat quietly on their hams with eyesfixed on the tempting morsel, but not making any effort to get at it, asthey knew it was beyond their reach. These were, no doubt, the olderand wiser ones. Others kept trying their prowess in lofty leaping; but, although the most active of them could get their noses within a fewinches of the meat, it only tantalised them the more. One, however, whoseemed the best jumper of the pack, at last succeeded in snatching asmall piece that hung lower than the main bunch. He was immediately setupon as soon as he had touched the ground, and chased and worried by therest, until he was glad to drop the morsel to save himself. Hissuccess, however, emboldened others to try; and they went on springingupward as before--but to no purpose. 

A new idea, however, seemed now to have got into the heads of the olderones; they who up to this time had sat looking on. Several of these rantowards the log, where the lasso was tied; and, seizing the latter intheir teeth, commenced gnawing it! It did not take them long toaccomplish their purpose. In less than two minutes' time, the heavymass came down with a dead sound upon the shoulders of one of the pack, causing him to howl fearfully!

Marengo, who had been alert all this time, now growled louder than ever;and the combined noises awoke the three sleepers. Basil saw what itwas; and, starting up, seized his rifle and ran forward, followed byFrancois and Lucien. 

All three dashed in among the wolves, firing their pieces as they ran, and then rushing on them with "clubbed" guns. The animals, of course, took to their heels, and scattered in every direction; but some of them, in their flight, did not fail to carry off choice pieces of thebear-meat. Two were killed by the rifle-bullets; and a third--whichFrancois had peppered with shot--was overtaken and worried to death byMarengo. 

The meat was soon gathered up; and Basil, who though somewhat chagrinedwas still confident of his plan, once more looped it in the lasso, andpulleyed it up. This time, however, he tied the end of his rope to thehigh branch of a tree; and as the wolves are not tree-climbers, all feltcertain that, cunning as these creatures are, they could not reach itthus secured. 

After throwing more wood upon the fire, the three brothers again took totheir blankets, expecting that nothing would occur to disturb thembefore the morning. 

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. 

THE CIRCLE OF FIRE. 

That expectation, however, was a vain one. Poor lads! they littlethought what was before them. Their nerves were to be tried stillfarther, and by as severe a test as they had yet endured. The wolveshowled fearfully around the camp, and their eyes still shone through thegloom. But this would not have kept the boys from sleeping, had theirattention not been called to another sound--the voice of a far differentcreature. They heard it amidst the howlings of the wolves, and knew itat once, for it resembled not these. It was more like the squalling ofan angry cat, but far louder, fiercer, and more terrible. _It was thescream of the cougar_!

I say that the young hunters recognised the voice of this animal atonce--for they had heard it while hunting in the forests of Louisiana, although they had never been exposed to its attack. From ampletestimony, however, they knew its power and fierce nature; and were, therefore, terrified by its scream--as men of strongest nerves had oftenbeen before them. 

When its cry first reached their ears, it appeared feeble and distant--not louder than the mewing of a kitten. The animal was evidently faroff in the forest. They knew, however, that it could soon traverse theground that lay between it and their camp. They listened. A secondscream sounded nearer. They sprang to their feet, and listened again. A third call appeared more distant. This, however, arose from amisconception on their part. They forgot that their _ears were nowfarther from the ground_. 

They stood a moment gazing on each other with looks of terror andapprehension. What was to be done?

"Shall we mount our horses and fly?" asked Basil. 

"We know not what way to go, " suggested Lucien. "We may ride right intoits teeth!"

This was likely enough; for it is a singular fact that the scream of thecougar, like the roar of the lion, seems to come from any or every side. It is difficult to tell in what direction the animal is who utters it. Whether this illusion be produced by the terror of the listener is aquestion yet unsolved. 

"What can we do?" said Basil. "Taking to a tree is of no use. Theseanimals can climb like squirrels. What can we do?"

Lucien stood silent, as if considering. 

"I have read, " said he, at length, "that the cougar will not cross fire. It is the case with most animals, although _there are exceptions_. Letus try that. Hush! Listen!"

All three remained silent. Again the cougar uttered his wild note, still far off. 

"You hear, " continued Lucien; "he is distant yet. Perhaps he is notcoming this way. It is best, however, to be prepared while we havetime. Let us try the _circle of fire_!"

Both Basil and Francois understood what their brother meant. All threeflung down their rifles and, rushing among the trees, collected dry woodin armfuls. Fortunately, this was in abundance near the spot. Somedead trees had fallen long ago; and their branches, breaking into piecesas they fell, covered the ground with numerous fragments just fit forfirewood. In the large pile already blazing, there was no lack ofkindling stuff; and in a few minutes a complete circle of fires, almosttouching one another, burnt upon the ground. 

The boys had lost no time, working as if for their lives. It was wellthey did so; for the voice of the cougar, that they had heard atintervals, each time growing louder, now echoed through the aisles ofthe forest, drowning all other sounds. Strange to say, the howling ofthe wolves suddenly ceased, and these creatures were no longer to beheard. But there were other sounds audible--the stamping and snortingof the terrified horses. The young hunters, up to this time, had notthought of the safety of these poor animals. It was now too late torelieve them--the cougar was within a hundred yards of the camp!

All three, along with Marengo, placed themselves within the _circle offire_. Fortunately, there was no wind--not a breath--and the smoke rosevertically upward, leaving them a breathing space within. There theystood, guns in hand. Around them the fires blazed and crackled; butabove the snapping of the knots, and the hiss of the spurting pipingtree gas, could be heard the wild cry of the cougar! It now becameevident on what side the animal was; for, as the young hunters peeredthrough the smoke and blaze, they could distinguish the yellow cat-likebody, moving to and fro under the hanging meat. The rounded head, thelong hollow back, the smooth tawny skin, were not to be mistaken. As ifto add to their terrible situation, the boys now saw that _not one, buta pair_, of these fearful creatures were upon the ground, movingbackward and forward, passing each other, and looking eagerly up at themeat where it hung. 

It now occurred to the hunters what an oversight they had made, in notcutting down the meat. Had they done so, the cougars would no doubthave devoured it, and moved off after satisfying their hunger. Alas! itwas too late for such a thought. 

For several minutes the animals continued to walk backward and forward, eagerly eyeing the tempting object above them. Several times theysprang up, as if to seize it; but their efforts fell far short, and theydesisted. One of them now ran up the tree, to which the lasso wasfastened. His claws could be heard rattling upon the bark as he sprangupward. He first climbed to the branch over which the bear-meat hung. This he shook with violence, looking downward, to see if the suspendedobject would fall. Disappointed, he left this after a time, and camedown to the other branch, where the lasso was tied in a knot. Here heagain seized the rope in his claws, and shook it with violence, but witha like result. Although he had the advantage of the wolves in beingable to climb the tree, he had not _their_ cunning, else he would soonhave let the meat down, by cutting the rope with his teeth. This idea, however, belonged to a higher development of brain than his; and, afterseizing the lasso several times, and shaking it as before, he returnedto the ground to his mate, who had sat all the while watching hismanoeuvres. 

These efforts to reach the meat occupied nearly an hour. During allthat time the boys stood within the _circle of fire_, in the mostdistressing situation. They were half-roasted by the heat, that hadbeen all along increasing, as the black logs burned into red embers. They had made their circle _too small_; and they stood as in the midstof a fiery furnace!

The smoke had partially cleared away, and they could witness everymovement of the cougars; but the terrible heat that oppressed them hadalmost conquered their fear of these animals; and little would now havetempted them to rush forth and battle with them. The perspiration ranfrom every pore, and their guns felt like bars of hot iron!

"I can stand it no longer, " cried Basil; "let us fire at them, rush out, and take our chance. "

"Patience, brother, " replied Lucien. "One moment longer. Perhaps theymay go away. "

As Lucien spoke, the cougars, who had now given up the bear's meat, stealthily approached the fire. They crept forward like cats, whenstealing upon their prey. At intervals they uttered a strange sound, like the low cough of a person in consumption. They gave forth anothersound, which fell equally strange upon the ears of the hunters. Itresembled the purring of a cat when caressed; but was much louder, and, in the forest, now silent, could be heard at a considerable distance. It was too plainly heard by those who were near. Both uttered it, as ifto encourage one another in their approach; and they kept crawling on, waving their tails as they advanced. When within a few feet of thefire, they stopped, and laid themselves almost flat along the ground--yet evidently prepared to spring forward at any moment. It was aterrible sight to look upon these fierce creatures as they lay. Thelight of the great fire made every part of them fearfully apparent. Their claws, their teeth, half uncovered, and even the bright irides oftheir shining eyes were seen distinctly. But they looked not half sofearful as at first. The young hunters now contemplated them from adifferent point of view. They were suffering where they stood, sofearfully, that there seemed no danger beyond that hot circle of fire--not even from the claws of a cougar!

"I shall stand it no longer, " cried Basil. "We'll be roasted outright. You, brothers, take that one, I'll aim at this--so--now--fear not--fire!"

As Basil ceased speaking, the three cracks sounded almost together; and, as soon as they had fired, all three leaped out of the blazing cordon. Whether Lucien and Francois had missed their aim was not known untilafterwards; but Basil had not missed his. He had wounded the cougar;and scarcely had the young hunters got clear of the fiery circle, whenthe infuriated animal sprang into it, and was seen, now upon its feet, and now rolling over the ground in the throes of death. Marengoattacked it; but both got among the red cinders, and the dog was fain tomake his escape out again. The cougar, left to itself, soon ceased itsstruggles, and lay upon the ground, to all appearance, dead. 

But what of the other?

As all three stood listening, the snorting and stamping of horses fellupon their ears, and above all was heard the squealing of the muleJeanette! This lasted for a few minutes, and at length all was silentas before. 

"Poor Jeanette!" thought they. "The other has made a meal of her. Well--we must do without her, that's all. "

They kept watch until daybreak, still fearful that the cougar might comeback for its mate. The rain had now begun to fall, and poured down intorrents, drowning out their fires. They did not attempt to rekindlethem; but stood, with their blankets around their shoulders, shelteringthemselves as they best could under the trees. 

When the daylight came, what was their surprise as well as joy to seeJeanette quietly browsing at the end of her trail-rope, and close by herthe body of the cougar lying dead upon the ground! It had been woundedby the shots; but that, as they soon ascertained, was not the cause ofits death, for its body was crushed and its ribs broken! For some timethey could not understand this. At length, however, it was explained tothem. The situation in which the animal was found enabled them to clearup the mystery. It was lying by the foot of a large tree, againstwhich, no doubt, it had got the squeeze that had killed it. Whileretreating it had sprung upon Jeanette; and the latter, in herendeavours to escape, had in the darkness rushed violently against thetree, crushing the cougar, and killing it instantly!

The fierce brute had left the trace of its claws upon Jeanette's backand withers; and a deep gash under her throat showed where its teeth hadbeen buried. It was fortunate for the mule she had rushed against thetree, else the cougar would have held on until he had drunk thelife-blood from her veins--as this is the mode by which these animalsput their prey to death. 

It was now morning, but the young hunters having been awake nearly allthe night, were weary and could have gone to rest. This, however, theydid not think prudent. They believed they had got themselves into apart of the forest where there were many dangerous creatures, and theycame to the determination to shift their camp, and travel as far fromthe spot as possible before night. The truth is, they were upon atimbered stream--an affluent of the Trinity river; and as the latter wasat this season overflowed, all the wild animals--bears, cougars, wolves, lynxes, and javalies--had been driven out of the low bottoms, and wereroaming through the adjacent woods, more hungry and fierce than theycommonly are. 

Having saddled their horses, and packed Jeanette with their robes, blankets, and meat, our adventurers again took the route westward. After proceeding a few miles they issued from the woods, and struck outinto the open prairie. 

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. 

THE LONE MOUND. 

Their route led them through one of those lovely landscapes which aremet with only in this southern region--_a flower-prairie_. Theytravelled in the midst of flowers. Flowers were before them, behind, and on every side. Their shining corollas covered the prairie as far asthe eye could see. There were golden sunflowers (_helianthi_), and redmalvas, euphorbias, and purple lupins. There were the rose-colouredblossoms of the wild althea, and the brilliant orange of Californianpoppies--glancing among the green leaves like so many balls of fire--while lower upon the surface grew the humble violas, sparkling likeazure gems. 

The glorious sun was shining over all; and the late rain that had washedthem seemed to have added to the fragrance and brilliancy. Millions ofbutterflies flew over them, or rested in their soft cups, not lessbrilliant than the flowers themselves. Some of these were of vastdimensions, their downy wings speckled and striped with varied andgorgeous tints. There were other insects of gay colours and glancingwings. The giant spider-fly flew around, now poised on whirring wing, and now darting off like a thread of lightning to some other part of theboundless garden. There were bees, too; and bee-birds humming fromflower to flower, and robbing their rich nectaries. Now and thenpartridges and ruffed grouse whirred up before the horses; and Francoissucceeded in shooting a brace of the latter, and hanging them behind hissaddle. 

Through these great flower-beds our travellers rode on, crushing many abeautiful corolla under their horses' hoofs. Sometimes the flowers grewupon tall stalks that stood thickly together, and reached up to theshoulders of the horses, completely hiding them from the view of one ata distance. Sometimes the travellers passed through beds of helianthialone--whose large heads, brushing against their thighs, covered themwith yellow pollen-dust. 

It was, altogether, a rare and beautiful landscape; and the younghunters would have enjoyed it much, had they not been suffering fromweariness and want of sleep. The fragrance of the flowers seemed atfirst to refresh them; but after a while they became sensible of anarcotic influence which it exercised over them, as they felt moresleepy than ever. They would have encamped among them, but there was nowater; and without water they could not remain. There was no grass, either, for their animals; as, strange to say, upon theseflower-prairies grass is seldom met with. The flower-stalks usurp thesoil, and no turf is ever found about their roots. The travellers, therefore, were compelled to ride on, until they should reach some spothaving grass and water--two of the necessary requisites of a"night-camp. "

After proceeding about ten miles the flowers began to appear more thinlyscattered over the surface, and at length declined into the _grass_prairie. Two or three miles farther brought our adventurers to a small"spring branch" that ran through the open plain, with no timber upon itsbanks, except a few willows. Here they were glad to halt for the night, and they dismounted, and staked their animals upon the tempting sward. 

All three were weary, and could have slept; but they were hungry aswell, and must first eat--so they set about preparing supper. Thewillows were green, and would not burn very well; but by dint ofperseverance they managed to make a fire. Francois' grouse were plungedinto the kettle. These, seasoned with wild onions, nasturtium, andprairie-turnips--which Lucien had gathered along the route, --made a dishthat was far from unpalatable. The stock of bear-meat was not touched--with the exception of a small piece, which, with the heads and otherrefuse parts of the grouse, formed the supper of Marengo. As soon asthey had finished eating, the hunters spread their buffalo-robes uponthe grass; and, drawing their blankets over them, went off into a soundsleep. 

This night they were not disturbed. When awake they could hear thehowling of wolves upon the distant prairie, and near their camp. Butthey were used to this serenading music, and did not regard it. Allthree slept soundly throughout the live-long night. 

They were awake by grey dawn, and felt quite refreshed. They wateredtheir horses, and prepared their breakfast of jerked bear-meat. This isnot bad eating at any time; but to appetites like theirs it was a luxuryindeed; and they broke their fast cleverly enough--eating nearly a pounda-piece. They all felt quite merry and jocund. Marengo was merry, though the claws of the cougar had scored his countenance sadly. Jeanette, too, frisked about, kicking at the flies as she fed. Basilhad given her shanks a fresh touch of the bear's grease; and the scarswhich the cougar had made were likely to cicatrise speedily. Theyremained all next day by that sweet spring, and enjoyed another night ofundisturbed rest. On the second morning they continued their journey, and in a few days reached the "Cross Timbers, "--those celebrated grovesthat have so long puzzled the speculations of the curious naturalist. Our travellers did not remain long by them--as they saw no signs of thebuffalo--but kept still farther to the west, crossing the head-waters ofnumerous streams that run into the river Brazos. 

About the third day, after leaving the Cross Timbers, they encamped onone of these streams--a very small one--that meandered through theprairie, without any timber upon its banks. But our travellers did notfeel the want of this, as they could make their fire out of an article--the sight of which had been gladdening their eyes during the whole ofthat day's journey. It was the _bois de vache_, or buffalo "chips, " asit is called by the trappers; and they knew that where this was found, the buffaloes themselves would not be far off. They had now got withinthe _range_ of these animals; and might expect to fall in with them atany moment. 

As soon as the next day dawned, the eyes of our hunters sought theprairie, but as yet no buffaloes were in sight. Nothing could be seenbut the green treeless plain, stretching on all sides as if to the verysky. Only one object could be observed that gave a variety to theaspect around. This was an eminence that rose over the sea-like surfaceof the prairie--called in the language of the hunters, a "butte. " Itappeared ten miles distant, at least; and seemed to stand alone, itssteep sides rising like cliffs above the prairie level. It lay in thecourse they had hitherto been travelling. 

"Shall we make for it?" asked they of one another. 

"What better can we do?" said Basil. "We are as likely to meet thebuffalo in that direction as in any other. We have no guide now; so wemust trust to our good fortune to lead us to them, or them to us--whichis about the same thing, I fancy. "

"Oh! let us `catch up, '" advised Francois, "and ride for the butte. Wemay find buffalo near it. "

"But what if we find no water?" suggested the ever-prudent Lucien. 

"That is not likely, " returned Francois. "I'll warrant there's water--there generally is where there are mountains, I believe; and yonderbutte might almost be called a mountain. I'll warrant there's water. "

"If there's not, " added Basil, "we can return here. "

"But, brothers, " said Lucien, "you know not the distance of thateminence. "

"Ten miles, I should think, " said Basil. 

"Not more, certainly, " added Francois. 

"It is thirty, if an inch, " quietly remarked Lucien. 

"Thirty!" exclaimed the others; "thirty miles! You are jesting, are younot? Why, I could almost lay my hand upon it!"

"That is a misconception of yours, " rejoined the philosopher. "You areboth calculating distances, as you would in the low dense atmosphere ofLouisiana. Remember you are now four thousand feet above the level ofthe sea, and surrounded by one of the purest and most translucentatmospheres in the world. Objects can be seen double the distance thatyou could see them on the banks of the Mississippi. That butte, whichyou think is only ten miles off, appears to me fifteen, or rather more;and I therefore calculate that it is at least thirty miles distant fromthe spot where we now are. "

"Impossible!" exclaimed Basil, eyeing the butte. "Why, I can see theseams of the rocks on its sides, and trees, I fancy, growing upon itstop. "

"Well, " continued Lucien, "with all that you'll find I am not far fromthe mark. But let us strike for it, since you wish it. We shall meetwith water there, I suppose; take notice, however, --we'll have to_journey all day before reaching it_; and we may consider ourselvesfortunate if we get there before night-fall. "

Lucien's prudence was not too great. On the contrary, it was not evensufficient for the occasion. This arose from his want of experience onthe prairies. If either he or his brothers had had a little more ofthis, they would have hesitated before striking out so boldly, andleaving the water behind them. They would have known that, to make along journey, without the certainty of finding water at the end of it, is a risk that even the old hunters themselves will seldom undertake. These, from experience, well know the danger of being without water onthe prairies. They dread it more than grizzly bears, or panthers, orwolverines, or even hostile Indians. The fear of thirst is to them thegreatest of all terrors. 

Our young hunters felt but little of this fear. It is true they had, all of them, heard or read of the sufferings that prairie travellerssometimes endure from want of water. But people who live snugly athome, surrounded by springs, and wells, and streams, with cisterns, andreservoirs, and pipes, and hydrants, and jets, and fountains, playing atall times around them, are prone to underrate these sufferings; in fact, too prone, might I not say, to discredit everything that does not comeunder the sphere of their own observation? They will readily believethat their cat can open a door-latch, and their pig can be taught toplay cards, and that their dog can do wonderful things, savouring ofsomething more than instinct. But these same people will shake theirheads incredulously, when I tell them that the opossum saves herselffrom an enemy by hanging suspended to the tree-branch by her tail, orthat the big-horn will leap from a precipice lighting upon his horns, orthat the red monkeys can bridge a stream by joining themselves to oneanother by their tails. 

"Oh! nonsense!" they exclaim; "these things are too strange to be true. "And yet, when compared with the _tricks_ their cat and dog can play, and even the little canary that flits about the drawing-room, do theyseem either strange or improbable? The absent and distant are alwaysregarded with wonder and incredulity; while familiar facts, inthemselves far more wonderful, neither excite curiosity nor challengecredulity. Who now regards the startling phenomenon of the electricwire otherwise than as a simple truth easily comprehended? And yetthere was a time--ah! there was a time--when to have proclaimed thistruth would have rendered you or me ridiculous. There was a time, indeed, when it might have cost us our lives or our liberties. RememberGalileo!

I was saying, then, that people who live at home do not know _whatthirst is_; for _home_ is a place where there is always water. Theycannot comprehend what it is to be in the desert without this necessaryelement. Ha! _I_ know it; and I give you my word for it, it is afearful thing. 

Our young hunters had but a faint idea of its terrors. Hitherto theirroute had been through a well-watered region--scarcely ever running tenor a dozen miles without crossing some stream with timber upon it, whichthey could see a long way off, and thus guide themselves to the water;but they little understood the nature of the country that was now beforethem. They knew not that they were entering upon the desert plains--those vast arid steppes that slope up to the foots of the RockyMountains--the Cordilleras of the Northern Andes. 

Francois, rash and impetuous, never dreamt of danger: Basil, courageous, did not fear it: Lucien had some misgivings, because he had heard orread more of it than the others. All, however, were curious to visitthe strange, mound-looking eminence _that_ rose out of the plain. Thiswas quite natural. Even the rude savage and the matter-of-fact trapperoften diverge from their course, impelled by a similar curiosity. 

The horses were watered and saddled; Jeanette was packed; thewater-gourds were filled; and our adventurers, having mounted, rodeforward for the "butte. "

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. 

THE HUNT OF THE WILD HORSE. 

"There must be buffalo in this neighbourhood, " said Basil, looking tothe ground as they rode on. "These `chips' are very fresh. They cannothave lain for many days. See! there is a buffalo-road covered withtracks!"

As Basil said this, he pointed to a trough-like hollow in the prairie, running as far as the eye could reach. It looked like the dry bed of astream; but the hoof-tracks in the bottom showed that it was what he hadcalled it, --a buffalo-road, leading, no doubt, to some river orwatering-place. It was so deep that, in riding along it, the heads ofour travellers were on a level with the prairie. It had been thushollowed out by the water during heavy rains, as the soil, previouslyloosened by the hoofs of the buffaloes, was then carried off to therivers. Such roads the buffaloes follow at times, thousands of themkeeping in the same trail. They travel thus when they are migrating insearch of better pastures, or water--to which they know by experiencethe roads will conduct them. 

Our hunters did not follow this road far, as there was no certainty thatit would bring them to where the animals then were. They crossed over, and kept on for the butte. 

"_Voila_!" cried Francois, "what are these?" Francois pointed toseveral circular hollows that appeared in the prairie before them. 

"Buffalo-wallows, I declare!" said Basil: "some of them are quite freshtoo!"

"Buffalo-wallows!" echoed Francois; "what are they?"

"Why, have you never heard of them, Frank?" asked Basil. "Places wherethe buffalo wallow and tumble like horses and farm-cattle. "

"Oh, that's it, " said Francois; "but what do they do it for?"

"Well, that I don't know. Perhaps Luce can tell. "

"Some say, " said Lucien, thus appealed to, "they do it to scratchthemselves, and get rid of the flies and other insects that annoy them. Others believe that they practise this curious exercise only by way ofdiversion. "

"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Francois, "what funny fellows they must be!"

"There is yet another more curious explanation, " continued Lucien, "which is this:--that the buffaloes make these hollows to catch waterwhen it rains, so that they may come back to them and drink!"

"Ha! ha! ha!" again laughed Francois; "I can't believe that, brother. "

"I would not have you neither, " said Lucien; "of course, the suppositionis not true--as the buffalo is not an animal possessing sufficientintelligence for that. It is only offered as a curious suggestion. Itis certain, however, that the water collects in these holes duringrain-time, and often remains there for days; and the buffaloes, wandering about, drink out of them. Therefore, it may, in one sense, betruly said that the buffaloes _dig their own wells_! These often proveof service to other animals, as well as those who have made them. Losttrappers and Indians have been saved by finding water in them, whenotherwise they would have perished from thirst. "

"How very round they are!" said Francois; "why, they are perfectcircles! How do the buffaloes make them so?"

"By laying themselves out at full length and spinning round and roundlike a wagon wheel upon its nave. They revolve with great rapidity, using their humped shoulders as a pivot, and their legs as levers. Theysometimes continue this motion for half-an-hour at a time. No doubtthey do this, as has been said, to scratch themselves; for, notwithstanding their thick hides and hair, they are much annoyed byinsect-parasites. They do it, too, for amusement, or to give themselvespleasure, which is the same thing. You have often witnessed horses at asimilar exercise; and was it not evident that they took a pleasure init? Have you not fancied so?"

"Oh, yes, " cried Francois, "I am sure horses enjoy a good tumble. "

"Well, then, it is to be supposed the buffaloes do the same. Gettingrid of their tormentors, and pressing their hot sides into the freshcool earth, is, no doubt, a source of enjoyment to them. They are notvery cleanly; as they are often seen wandering about, so covered withdirt, that one cannot tell what colour their hide is. "

"Well!" added Francois, "I hope we shall soon come across one with a_white_ hide!"

Talking after this fashion, our young hunters continued their journey. They had ridden about ten miles, when Basil--whose eye was all the timewandering around the prairie horizon--uttered an exclamation, andsuddenly reined up his horse. The others, seeing him do so, stoppedalso. 

"What do you see?" asked Lucien. 

"I do not know, " replied Basil; "but there is something yonder upon theedge of the prairie--to the southward--do you see it?"

"Yes; it looks like a clump of low trees. "

"No, " said Basil; "they are not trees. This moment I saw one apart fromthe rest, and I do not see it now. It appeared to move in toward themass. I fancy they are animals of some kind or other. "

"Buffaloes, I hope!" cried Francois, raising himself to his full heightin the stirrups, and endeavouring to get a sight of them. But Francois'pony did not give him a sufficient elevation to enable him to see theobjects; and he was, therefore, compelled to withhold an opinion as towhat they might be. 

"Should we ride towards them?" asked Lucien, addressing Basil. 

"I think they are moving this way, " replied the latter. "They extendmore along the horizon, and that may be because they are getting nearer. Buffaloes! no--as I live, " continued he, elevating his voice, "they arehorsemen--perhaps mounted Indians!"

"Why do you think so?" inquired Lucien, hurriedly. 

"I saw one between me and the sky. I can tell the shape of a horse asfar as I can see him. I am sure it was one. Look! yonder goesanother!"

"It is, " added Lucien; "it is a horse. But see! there is no rider--noone on his back; and yonder's another, also without a rider. Ha! Iknow now--_they are mustangs_!"

"Mustangs!" echoed Francois; "good!--that will be something worthseeing. "

It soon proved that Lucien was right. It was a drove of mustangs, orwild horses. Basil was also right in saying that they were comingtowards them; for in a few moments they appeared to be within less thana mile, and approaching at a rapid gallop. 

They galloped closely together like a trained troop; and one could beperceived some lengths in the advance apparently acting as leader. Nowand then one would shy out of the ranks, and rear a moment apart fromthe rest, but would return again, and fall in with his companions. Itwas a rare sight to see them as they came on; and the ground thunderedunder their hoofs as though a squadron of cavalry was charging over it. 

When within less than half a mile of the party, they seemed to noticethe latter for the first time. All at once the foremost halted, threwup his head with a snort, and stood still. The others stopped, imitating the example of their leader. The latter was still some pacesin the advance; while the breasts of his followers seemed to form acompact front, like cavalry in line of battle! After standing still fora few seconds, the leader uttered a shrill neigh, shied to the right, and dashed off at full speed. The others answered the call; and, instantly wheeling into the same direction, followed after. Themovement was executed with the precision of a troop!

Our hunters supposed the horses were about to pass them, and partcompany without coming closer. They all regretted this, as they weredesirous of having a nearer view of these noble creatures. In order notto alarm them as they were coming up, all three had taken the precautionto dismount; and now stood partially screened by their own horses, yetholding the latter firmly--as these were terrified by the thunderingtramp of the wild steeds. 

In a moment the mustangs appeared opposite--that is, with their sidesturned to the hunters; and the latter now saw with joy that they werenot passing away, but _galloping in a circle_--of which they, thespectators, were the centre!

The circle in which the horses ran was scarcely half a mile in diameter, and they appeared to be approaching nearer to the centre. In fact, theywere not following the circumference of a circle, but a spiral curvethat contracted gradually inward. 

The boys had now a fair view of them, and a beautiful sight it was. There were about two hundred in all, but they were of differentcolours--scarcely two of them being marked alike. There were black andwhite ones, and bay and roan. Some were brown, some sorrel, and some ofan iron-grey; and there were others--many of them--mottled and spottedlike hounds! All had flowing manes and long waving tails; and thesestreamed behind them as they galloped, adding to the gracefulness oftheir appearance. It was, in truth, a beautiful sight, and the heartsof the boys bounded within them, while their eyes followed the movingtroop as it circled round and round. 

But the eyes of all three soon centred upon one--the leader, and afairer object none of them had ever beheld. Basil, who loved a finehorse more than any living thing, was in an ecstasy as he gazed uponthis beautiful creature. It was no wonder, for a more perfect-lookinganimal could hardly have been conceived. He was larger than any of theherd, though still under the size of an English horse. His full chestand prominent eye-balls--his well-bound flanks and quarters--his lightcylindrical limbs and small finely-shaped hoofs, showed of what race hewas--an Arab of the Andalusian breed--a descendant of the noble steedsthat carried the first conquerors of Mexico. His proportions were whata judge would have pronounced perfect; and Basil, who, in fact, _was_ ajudge, had already said so. He was white all over--white as themountain-snow. As he galloped, his nostrils appeared open and red, hiseyes stood prominently forth, his mane was tossed on both sides of hisneck from his crest to his withers, and his long tail streamedhorizontally behind him. His free, graceful movements--like that of allhis followers--showed that no saddle had ever been laid across his back. 

As Basil gazed upon this noble creature, he became imbued with anirresistible desire to possess him. It is true he already had a horse, and as fine a one as ever wore saddle; but it was Basil's weakness tocovet every fine horse he saw; and this one had inspired him with a mostparticular longing to become his owner. In a few seconds' time, soeager had grown this desire, that Basil felt as if he would have givenall he had in the world--Black Hawk, perhaps, excepted--to be the masterof this prairie steed. Throwing a lasso, as Basil could, and mounted ashe was, it would strike you that he might soon have gratified his wish;but it was not so easy a thing, and Basil knew that. He knew that hemight without difficulty overtake and fling his noose over some of the"fags" of the herd; but to capture the leader was quite another thing--afeat _never accomplished upon the prairies_, even by the Indiansthemselves. He had often heard this, nevertheless, he was determined totry. He had great confidence in the speed and bottom of Black Hawk. 

He communicated his determination to his brothers, in a whisper--lest hemight frighten the mustangs, now circling very near. Lucien tried todissuade him, offering as a reason, that it would lead them from theircourse, and might separate them from each other. 

"No, " said Basil. "Go on to the butte, you and Francois. I shall cometo you--perhaps I may be there before you. Do not say a word, brother, --you need not. I _must have that horse_; and I shall capturehim if it cost me a fifty-mile gallop. "

While Basil was speaking, he drew closer to his left stirrup, looked tothe lasso that hung coiled upon the horn of his saddle, and then stoodready to mount. Lucien saw it was of no use to urge his advice farther, and ceased to interfere. Francois would fondly have joined Basil in thechase; but his diminutive pony rendered the idea too absurd to be actedupon. 

During all this time the wild horses had continued their evolutions. Atintervals they would halt at a signal from their leader, and wheel intoline, facing inward towards the little group. In this position theywould remain for a few seconds, with heads erect, gazing with curiouswonder at the strange intruders upon their domain. Some of them wouldpaw the ground, and snort as if in anger. Then the foremost would utterhis shrill neigh, and all would go off again, circling about as before. 

They had got within less than two hundred yards of where the huntersstood, but it was evident they intended coming no nearer. On thecontrary, they showed symptoms of bearing off. At each fresh movementfrom a halt, they turned their heads for the prairie, and then camecircling back again--as though they had not yet quite satisfied theircuriosity. 

During their last halt--or what Basil believed might be the last--heagain cautioned his brothers to keep on to the butte, and quietlyplacing his foot in the stirrup, vaulted into the saddle. The movementcaused the mustangs to start; but, before they could turn themselves, the young hunter had plied the spur, and made several springs towardsthem across the prairie. He looked not at the drove--he cared not whichway they might go--his eye rested only on the white leader, and towardshim he rode in full charge. 

The latter, when he saw this sudden movement, stood for a moment, as ifin surprise. Then giving a wild neigh--far different from any of thecalls he had hitherto uttered--wheeled to the right, and led off in agallop, the rest following at the top of their speed. As the rearmostcame round upon the prairie, Basil was not a dozen yards from them; andin a few springs had got so close that he could easily have thrown hislasso over some of them. In turning, however, he was left far behind;but he soon recovered his distance, and spurred on, bearing slightly toone side of the drove. He did not wish to get in amongst them--as hebelieved that might be dangerous, and would only impede him. His objectwas to head the drove, or in some way to separate the leader from theothers. This was what he wanted first; and to this task he bent himselfwith all his energy. 

On flew the wild steeds straining themselves to their utmost speed. Onfollowed the hunter, --apparently in reckless pursuit, but carefullyguiding his horse as he rode. His lasso hung at his saddle-peak. Hehad not yet touched it--time enough for that. 

On flew the wild horses, and closer followed the daring hunter, untilmiles of the prairie lay between him and the starting-point. In a fewminutes he was no longer visible to those he had left behind. 

But the small Andalusian steeds were no match for the Godolphin Arab. The herd had changed its shape. The horses no longer ran in a body, butin a long string--each taking place according to his speed--and far inadvance of all, like a meteor, glanced the snow-white leader. 

The hindmost were soon passed--each swerving off from the track, as soonas he saw himself headed by the great dark horse that carried thestrange and dreaded object upon his back. One by one they were passed, until Black Hawk had forged ahead of the whole drove; and his rider nowsaw nothing before him but the white steed, the green prairie, and theblue sky. He looked not back. Had he done so, he would have seen themustangs scattering in every direction over the plain. But he lookednot back. All that he now cared for was before him; and he plied thespur freshly and galloped on. 

He had no need to use the spur. Black Hawk seemed to think that hiscredit rested upon the result, and the faithful brute was doing hisbest. On the other hand, the wild horse felt that his life, or at leasthis freedom, depended upon it, and this was enough to urge _him_ to hisutmost. Both flew like the wind--pursuer and pursued. 

As they parted from the herd, there was not more than three hundredyards between them; and they must have passed over some milesafterwards, before this distance was greatly lessened. Their line offlight was as straight as an arrow; and from this it was evident thatthe mustang usually trusted to his hoofs to save him from his enemies. 

In a race like this, however, the pursuer has the advantage of thepursued. The latter, always anxious, is constrained to look back; andis, therefore, less sure of the ground that lies before. He loses hisproper attitude for speed, and is besides in danger of stumbling. So itwas with the wild horse. He did not stumble--he was too sure of footfor that--but his head was occasionally thrown to one side, until hislarge dark eye commanded a view of his enemy behind him. This, ofcourse, to some extent, retarded him. It was only at these moments thatBasil could gain upon him; and the proofs he thus gave of his superiorpowers, only rendered the latter the more eager to capture and possesshim. 

After a long chase the distance between them was still two hundred pacesat the least. The young hunter, with a feeling of impatience, once moreplied the spur in a fresh effort to come up; while the other seemed tospring forward as swiftly as ever. 

All at once Basil observed that the white steed, instead of runningstraight forward, appeared to go from side to side, moving in crookedlines! Basil saw this with surprise. He looked to discover the cause. As his eye glanced along the ground, he perceived that it was uneven--covered, as far as he could see, with little hillocks. The mustang wasamong them. It was this, then, that was causing him to run sostrangely. Basil had hardly made the observation, when he felt hishorse sink suddenly under him, and tumble headlong upon the prairie!

The rider was flung from his seat, though not much hurt. He rose atonce to his feet. Black Hawk struggled up at the same time, and stoodstill, his wet flanks rising and falling as he breathed and panted. Hewas not in a condition to gallop farther. But even had he been fresh, Basil saw that the chase was now at an end. The little hillocks, whichhe had just noticed, stood thick upon the prairie, as far as the eyecould reach; and among these the wild horse was gliding off as swiftlyas ever. When the hunter got to his feet again, the other was nearly aquarter of a mile distant, and at that moment sent back a shrill neigh, as if triumphing over his escape--for he had escaped beyond a doubt. 

Basil saw this with chagrin. He saw that further pursuit was not onlyuseless, but dangerous; for although he had never seen anything likethese little mounds before, he knew very well what they were, and thedanger of riding at a rapid rate among them. He had received a timelylesson--for he was just entering their borders when his horse fell--fortunately to rise again with sound limbs. He knew he might not getoff so safely a second time, and he had no inclination to take thechances of another tumble. He was not going to risk the loss of hisfavourite Black Hawk for the white steed, even had he been certain ofcapturing the latter. But this was no longer likely. On the contrary, he might, instead of making a capture, lose his own horse, were he tocontinue the chase; and that he well knew would be a terrible situation. With the best grace he could, therefore, he abandoned the pursuit, leaving the mustang to scamper off alone. He watched him for severalminutes, until the latter, far, far away, faded like a white cloud intothe pale blue of the horizon. 

The young hunter now bethought him of returning to his companions. Inwhat direction was he to go? He looked around for the butte. There itwas; but, to his astonishment, it lay directly before him, and nearerthan when he last saw it! He had been all this while galloping towardsit; but in his haste had not noticed this. Lucien and Francois must bebehind, thought he, and would soon come that way. The best thing hecould do, therefore, would be to wait until they should come up; and, with this intention, he sat down upon one of the little hillocks, leaving his horse to wander about at will. 

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. 

A DOG-TOWN. 

Black Hawk strayed off to some distance in search of grass, for thelatter was scanty near the spot; and what there was of it had been eatenas close to the ground, as if a thousand rabbits had been feeding uponit! Basil did not hinder his horse from going. He knew that he was toowell trained to run away, and that he could recall him at any moment bya whistle. He sat still, therefore; now scanning the prairie to theeastward, and now endeavouring to kill time by examining the strangelittle mounds on the other side. Of these there were thousands--indeed, they covered the plain, both to the north and south, and west, as far asBasil could see. They were shaped like truncated cones, about threefeet in diameter at the base, and not over two in height. Near the topof each was the entrance--a hole not much larger than would have beenused by a rat. There was no grass immediately around this hole, although the sides and tops of the mounds were clothed with a smoothgreen turf that gave them the appearance of having been constructed along time ago. 

The inhabitants of these singular dwellings soon began to showthemselves. They had been terrified by the thundering tread of thesteeds, and had hidden at their approach. All was now silent again, andthey thought they might venture abroad. First one little snout peepedout, and then another, and another until every hole had a head and apair of sparkling eyes looking forth. After a while the owners of theheads became more courageous, and boldly stepped out-of-doors; and thencould be seen hundreds of these strange creatures. They were of areddish-brown colour, with breasts and bellies of a dirty white. Theirbodies were about the size of the common grey squirrel; but theirgeneral appearance partook of the squirrel, the weasel, and the rat--allthree of which they in some respects resembled, and yet were not likeany of them. They were a distinct species of animals. They were_Marmots_, that species known by the fanciful appellation of"prairie-dogs, " (_Arctomys ludoviciana_). Their tails were very short, and not bushy as those of squirrels; and altogether their bodies had notthe graceful symmetry of these animals. In a short time every mound hadtwo or three on its top--for several individuals dwell together in thesame house. Some sat upon all fours, while others erected themselves ontheir hind-feet, and stood up like little bears or monkeys--all thewhile flourishing their tails and uttering their tiny barking, thatsounded like the squeak of a toy-dog. It is from this that they derivethe name of "prairie-dogs, " for in nothing else do they resemble thecanine species. Like all marmots--and there are many different kinds--they are innocent little creatures, and live upon grass, seeds, androots. They must eat very little; and indeed it is a puzzle tonaturalists how they sustain themselves. Their great "towns" near theRocky Mountains are generally in barren tracts, where there is but ascanty herbage; and yet the inhabitants are never found more than half amile from their dwellings. How, then, do thousands of them subsist onwhat little grass can grow in a pasture so circumscribed? This has notbeen explained; nor is it known why they choose these barren tracts fortheir dwelling-places, in preference to the more fertile prairies. Allthese things await the study and observation of the historian of nature. 

Basil was surprised to observe that the marmots were not alone theoccupants of their town. There were other creatures moving about of anentirely different kind, and they also seemed to be perfectly at home. There were white owls, about the size of pigeons, of a species he hadnever seen before. These were the burrowing owls (_Strix cunicularia_), differing altogether from their blind cousins of the night who dwell inthick woods and old ruins. He saw these little owls gliding about onsilent wing, or standing erect upon the tops of the houses, at adistance looking exactly like the marmots themselves. 

Besides the marmots and owls there were other live creatures in sight. There were small lizards scuttling about; and crawling among the moundswas seen a hideous form--also of the lizard kind--the "horned frog"(_Agama cornuta_). These creatures were new to Basil; and their uglyearth-coloured bodies, their half-toad half-lizard shape, with the thornlike protuberances, upon their back, shoulders, and head, inspired himwith disgust as he gazed upon them. He could see, too, the smallland-tortoise (_Cistuda_) squatting upon the ground, and peepingcautiously out of its box-like shell. But there was another creature inthis community more fearful than all the rest. This was the _groundrattle-snake_, which could be seen, coiled up, and basking in the sun, or gliding among the mounds, as if searching for his prey. Basilnoticed that it was a different species from any of the rattle-snakes hehad seen--differing from them in its shape and markings, but equallyvicious in its appearance and habits. It was the _Crotalustergeminus_--found only in barren grounds, such as those inhabited bythe prairie-marmot. 

Basil could not help falling into a train of reflection about thisvaried community of creatures. Were they friends to each other? or didthey form a chain of destruction, preying upon one another? Friendsthey could not all be. The marmots lived upon grass; and the lizardsupon insects and prairie-crickets, of which there were numbers around. Upon these, too, no doubt, the tortoises supported themselves; but uponwhat fed the owls and snakes?

These questions puzzled Basil. He could not satisfy himself about them;and he thought of Lucien, who understood the habits of these variousanimals better than himself. He began to think both of Lucien andFrancois--for two hours had now passed, and they did not make theirappearance! He was fast becoming uneasy, when a small group of objectswas seen approaching from the eastward, which, to his joy, proved to bethe party. 

In half an hour afterwards they rode up greeting their brother withjoyful shouts. They had been travelling briskly ever since the morning, and upon Basil's tracks too, showing what a stretch of ground he musthave passed over in his wild gallop. They saw at once that the whitehorse had got off; and Basil, in a few words, gave them an account ofthe chase and how it had come to an end. 

As it was now afternoon, and the butte still appeared distant, they madebut a short halt--just long enough to swallow a morsel of meat and takea drink from their water-gourds, which, owing to the intense heat, werenow better than half empty. Their animals already suffered from thirst;so, without delay, the young hunters got into their saddles, with theintention of continuing their journey. 

"Across the dog-town?" inquired Francois, who had mounted first. "Shallwe ride through it or go round?"

Here was a difficulty, indeed. The dog-town lay directly between themand the butte. To keep straight forward they would have to ride throughit. That would impede them to a considerable extent, as they could onlyride slowly and in zig-zag lines without danger. To go round it, on theother hand, might lead them miles out of the way--perhaps many miles--for these marmot villages are frequently of large extent. 

"Let us go south a bit, " advised Lucien. "Perhaps we may come to theend of it that way. "

They all turned their horses for the south, and commenced riding in thatdirection. 

They rode for at least two miles, keeping along the border of thesettlement: but they could still see it ahead, apparently stretching formiles farther. 

"We have come the wrong way, " said Lucien; "we might have done betterhad we turned north. We must cross it now; what say you, brothers?"

All agreed to this; for it is not very pleasant to be going about, whenthe goal of one's journey is within sight. So the heads of the horseswere brought round once more facing the butte; and the party rode inamong the mounds, and proceeded slowly and with great caution. As theyapproached, the little "dogs" ran to their hillocks, barked at theintruders, shook their short tails, and then whisked themselves off intotheir holes. Whenever the party had got past, a hundred yards or so, the marmots would come forth again, and utter their tiny cough-likenotes as before; so that, when our travellers were fairly into the"town, " they found themselves at all times in the centre of a barkingcircle!

The owls rose up before them, alighting at short distances; then, oncemore startled, they would fly farther off, sometimes sailing away untilout of sight, and sometimes, like the marmots, hiding themselves withinthe burrows. The rattle-snakes, too, betook themselves to the burrows, and so did the lizards and agamas. What appeared most strange, was, that all of these creatures--marmots, owls, snakes, lizards, andagamas--were observed, when suddenly escaping, sometimes to enter thesame mound! This our travellers witnessed more than once. 

Very naturally the conversation turned upon these things; and Lucienadded some facts to what Basil had already observed. 

"The holes, " said he, "had we time to dig them up, would be found todescend perpendicularly for two or three feet. They then run obliquelyfor several feet farther, and end in a little chamber which is the realhouse of the marmot. I say the _real_ house, for these cone-like moundsare only the entrances. They have been formed out of the earth broughtup from below at the making of the burrows. As you see, this earth hasnot been allowed to lie in a neglected heap, such as rats and rabbitsleave at the mouths of their burrows. On the contrary, it has beenbuilt up with great care, and beaten together by the marmots' feet untilquite firm and smooth; and the grass has been allowed to grow over it tosave it from being washed down by rain. It is evident the animal doesall this with design--just as beavers, in building their houses. Now, upon these mounds the marmots love to bask, and amuse themselves in thesun; and it is likely that they can watch their enemies better from thiselevated position, and thus gain time to make good their retreat. "

"But some of the mounds look quite dilapidated, " observed Francois. "Look yonder, there are several of them caved in, and guttered by therain! What is the reason, I wonder?"

"These are the ones in which the owls live, " replied Lucien. "See!yonder goes an owl into one this very moment! It is supposed that theowls have taken these from the marmots, and use them exclusively fortheir own dwellings; and, as you perceive, they do not keep them inrepair. All they care for is the hole to take shelter in, leaving theoutside works to go to ruin as they may. Certain it is that, althoughwe have seen them and the dogs rush into the same hole together, it isbecause we came suddenly upon them. They do not live thus. The marmotshave their own dwellings, and the owls theirs, which last are the ruinedones you have noticed. "

"But do not the owls eat the marmots?" inquired Basil. "The great owlsof the woods prey upon animals as large. I have seen them kill rabbitsin the dusk of the evening. "

"These do not, " answered the naturalist; "at least it is supposed theydo not. Many that have been shot and opened proved to have nothing intheir stomachs but insects and beetles--such as these we see upon theprairie. I think it is probable the owls make an occasional meal of thehorned frogs and lizards; though I have no proof of this farther thanthat birds of this kind usually prey upon such reptiles. "

"But how live the rattle-snakes?" inquired Francois; "what do they feedupon?"

"Ah!" replied Lucien, "that is the puzzle of naturalists. Some assertthat they are the tyrants of the community, and devour the old marmots. This can hardly be, as these snakes are not large enough to swallowthem, in my opinion. Certain it is, however, that they preyoccasionally upon the young, as many of them have been killed with youngmarmots in their belly?"

"Why, then, " rejoined Francois, "the snakes seem to have it all theirown way. If they eat the young marmots, what is to hinder them fromkilling as many as they please? They can enter the burrows with as muchease as the marmots themselves!"

"That is true, " replied Lucien, "but not half so nimbly; and perhaps thelatter can even escape them within. The rattle-snake is a very slowcrawler; and, besides, only strikes his prey when coiled up. Perhaps, in these subterranean galleries, he is still less able to capture it;and the old marmots may, after all, have some mode of defending boththemselves and their young from his venomous attacks. As yet verylittle is known of these creatures. The remote regions in which theyare found place them beyond the observation of naturalists; and such ofthese, as have visited their towns, have been only allowed time to makea hurried examination of them. They are very shy; rarely letting youget within range of a gun. They are, therefore, seldom shot at. Moreover, it takes great trouble to capture them by digging--on accountof the depth of their burrows--and as their skins are not very valuable, and their flesh but a bite at best, they are not often molested by thehunter. "

"But are they eatable?" inquired Francois. 

"Yes, " answered Lucien; "the Indians are very fond of their flesh, andeat it whenever they can conveniently get it; but, indeed, they will dothe same for almost every living creature. "

"What do marmots feed upon in winter, when there is no grass for them?"inquired Francois. 

"They then lie torpid. They have nests in their subterranean chambers, and curious nests these are. They are constructed of grass and roots, are as round as a globe, and so firmly woven together, that one of themmight be kicked over the prairie like a foot-ball. The nest is within, with a small hole leading into it, just large enough to admit yourfinger--for when the marmot goes inside, he closes all up, except thislittle hole, through which he gets all the air he requires. In thesesnug beds they lie asleep during the cold season, and at that time arerarely seen outside their burrows. "

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. 

A NIGHT IN THE DESERT. 

Conversing in this way, the young hunters rode on, keeping as far fromthe edges of the mounds as possible, lest the hoofs of their horsesmight sink in the excavated ground. They had ridden full five miles, and still the marmot village stretched before them! still the dogs onall sides uttered their "Choo-choo"--still the owls flapped silently up, and the rattle-snakes crawled across their track. 

It was near sun-down when they emerged from among the hillocks, andcommenced stepping out on the hard, barren plain. Their conversationnow assumed a gloomier turn, for their thoughts were gloomy. They haddrunk all their water. The heat and dust had made them extremelythirsty; and the water, warmed as it was in their gourd canteens, scarcely gave them any relief. They began to experience the cravings ofthirst. The butte still appeared at a great distance--at least tenmiles off. What, if on reaching it, they should find no water? Thisthought, combined with the torture they were already enduring, wasenough to fill them with apprehension and fear. 

Basil now felt how inconsiderately they had acted, in not listening tothe more prudent suggestions of Lucien; but it was too late forregrets--as is often the case with those who act rashly. 

They saw that they must reach the butte as speedily as possible, for thenight was coming on. If it should prove a dark night, they would beunable to guide themselves by the eminence, and losing their coursemight wander all night. Oppressed with this fear, they pushed forwardas fast as possible; but their animals, wearied with the long journeyand suffering from thirst, could only travel at a lagging pace. 

They had ridden about three miles from the dog-town, when, to theirconsternation, a new object presented itself. The prairie yawned beforethem, exhibiting one of those vast fissures often met with on the hightable-lands of America. It was a _barranca_, of nearly a thousand feetin depth, sheer down into the earth, although its two edges at the topwere scarcely that distance apart from each other! It lay directlyacross the track of the travellers; and they could trace its course formiles to the right and left, here running for long reaches in a straightline, and there curving or zig-zagging through the prairie. When theyarrived upon its brink, they saw at a glance that they could not crossit. It was precipitous on both sides, with dark jutting rocks, which insome places overhung its bed. There was no water in it to gladden theireyes; but, even had there been such, they could not have reached it. Its bottom was dry, and covered with loose boulders of rock that hadfallen from above. 

This was an interruption which our travellers little expected; and theyturned to each other with looks of dismay. For some minutes theydeliberated, uncertain how to act. Would they ride along its edge, andendeavour to find a crossing-place? Or would it be better to retracetheir steps, and attempt to reach the stream which they had left in themorning? The latter was a fearful alternative, as they knew they couldnot pass the marmot hillocks in the darkness without losing time andencountering danger. It is discouraging at all times to _go back_, particularly as they had ridden so far--they believed that water wouldbe found near the butte. They resolved, at length, to search for acrossing. 

With this intention they made a fresh start, and kept along the edge ofthe barranca. They chose the path that appeared to lead upward--as byso doing they believed they would the sooner reach a point where thechasm was shallower. They rode on for miles; but still the fissure, with its steep cliffs, yawned below them, and no crossing could befound. The sun went down, and the night came on as dark as pitch. Theyhalted. They dared ride no farther. They dared not even go back--lestthey might chance upon some outlying angle of the crooked chasm, andride headlong into it! They dismounted from their horses, and sunk downupon the prairie with feelings almost of despair. 

It would be impossible to picture their sufferings throughout that longnight. They did not sleep even for a moment. The agonising pangs ofthirst as well as the uncertainty of what was before them on the morrowkept them awake. They did not even picket their horses--for there wasno grass near the spot where they were--but sat up all night holdingtheir bridles. Their poor horses, like themselves, suffered both fromthirst and hunger; and the mule Jeanette occasionally uttered a wildhinnying that was painful to hear. 

As soon as day broke they remounted, and continued on along the edge ofthe barranca. They saw that it still turned in various directions; and, to add to their terror, they now discovered that they could not evenretrace the path upon which they had come, without going all the wayback on their own tracks. The sun was obscured by clouds, and they knewnot in what direction lay the stream they had left--even had theypossessed strength enough to have reached it. 

They were advancing and discussing whether they should make the attempt, when they came upon a deep buffalo-road that crossed their path. It wasbeaten with tracks apparently fresh. They hailed the sight with joyfulexclamations--as they believed that it would lead them to a crossing. They hesitated not, but riding boldly into it, followed it downward. Asthey had anticipated, it wound down to the bottom of the barranca, andpassed up to the prairie on the opposite side, where they soon arrivedin safety. 

This, however, was no termination to their sufferings, which had nowgrown more acute than ever. The atmosphere felt like an oven; and thelight dust, kicked up by their horses' hoofs, enveloped them in achoking cloud, so that at times they could not see the butte for whichthey were making. It was of no use halting again. To halt was certaindeath--and they struggled on with fast-waning strength, scarcely able toretain their seats or speak to one another. Thirst had almost deprivedthem of the power of speech!

It was near sunset, when the travellers, faint, choking, panting forbreath, bent down in their saddles, their horses dragging along underthem like loaded bees, approached the foot of the eminence. Their eyeswere thrown forward in eager glances--glances in which hope and despairwere strangely blended. 

The grey, rocky bluff, that fronted them, looked parched and forbidding. It seemed to frown inhospitably upon them as they drew near. 

"O brothers! should there be no water!"

This exclamation was hardly uttered, when the mule Jeanette, hithertolagging behind, sprang forward in a gallop, hinnying loudly as she ran. Jeanette, as we have said, was an old prairie traveller, and could scentwater as far as a wolf could have done her own carcass. The otheranimals, seeing her act in this manner, rushed after; and the nextmoment the little cavalcade passed round a point of rocks, where a greensward gladdened the eyes of all. They saw grass and willows, amongwhose leaves gurgled the crystal waters of a prairie spring; and in afew seconds' time, both horses and riders were quenching their thirst inits cool current. 

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. 

THE PRONG-HORNS. 

The "butte" was one of those singular formations to be met with in theGreat American Desert. It was not a mountain nor yet a hill. Its shapewas different from either. It was more like a vast mass of rocky earth, raised above the prairie, perpendicular on all sides, and having a flatlevel surface upon its top. It was, in fact, one of those hills whichin the language of Spanish America, are termed "mesas, " or tables--socalled on account of their flat, table-like tops. They are generallyargillaceous, and are common upon the Upper Missouri river, andthroughout the vast desert regions that lie west of the Del Norte. Sometimes several of them stand near each other upon the plains, lookingas though their tops had once been the level of the ancient surface, andthe ground between had been worn away by disintegration--from rain andother causes--leaving them thus standing. To the eye of one accustomedto looking only upon rounded hills, or mountains with sharp peaks, theseelevated "mesas" appear very singular, and form an interesting study forthe geologist. 

The top of the one beside which our adventurers halted, had asuperficial area of some twenty or thirty acres; and its perpendicularsides rose nearly two hundred feet above the surrounding prairie. Athin growth of pine-trees covered it; while stunted pinons and cedarshung out from its cliffs. There were agaves, and yucca palms, andcacti, growing along its edges, giving it a very picturesque appearance. 

Our travellers, after halting, and having satisfied their thirst, ofcourse thought of nothing but remaining there to recruit both themselvesand their animals. They saw around them the three requisites of acamp--water, wood, and grass. They commenced by cutting down somepinon-trees that grew by the foot of the cliff. With these a brightfire was soon made. They had still enough bear's meat left to last themfor several days. What more wanted they? But they discovered that evenin this arid region Nature had planted trees and vegetables to sustainlife. The pinons afforded their farinaceous cones, the agave yieldedits esculent roots, and the prairie-turnip grew upon the borders of therunlet. They saw a small plant with white lily-like flowers. It wasthe "sego" of the Indians (_Calochortus luteus_), and they knew that atits roots grew tubers, as large as filberts, and delicious eating whencooked. Lucien recognised all these edible productions; and promisedhis brothers a luxurious dinner on the morrow. For that night, allthree were too much fatigued and sleepy to be nice about theirappetites. The juicy bear's meat, to travellers, thirsty and hungry asthey, needed no seasoning to make it palatable. So they washedthemselves clear of the dust, ate their frugal meal, and stretchedthemselves out for a long night's rest. 

And a capital night's rest they enjoyed--without having been disturbedby anything. One would have supposed that, after so much hardship, theywould have got up somewhat wearied. Strange to say, it was not so, forthey arose quite refreshed. This Lucien attributed to the bracinginfluence of the light dry atmosphere; and Lucien was right, for, although an arid soil surrounded them, its climate is one of thehealthiest in the world. Many a consumptive person, who has crossed theprairies with flushed cheek, uttering his hectic cough, has returned tohis friends to bear joyful testimony to what I now state. 

All three felt as brisk as bees, and immediately set about preparingbreakfast. They gathered a capful of the pinon cones--the seeds ofwhich Lucien knew how to prepare by parching and pounding. These, withthe bear's meat, gave them a good hunter's breakfast. They then thoughtof their dinner, and dug up a quantity of "segos" and prairie-turnips. They found also a mallow--the _Malva involucrata_--whose long taperingroot resembles the parsnip both in taste and appearance. All these werebaked with the bear's meat--so that the dinner, in some respects, resembled ham, turnips, parsnips, and yams--for the root of the segothus dressed, is not unlike the yam, or sweet potato (_Convolvulusbatatas_). 

Of course, our adventurers did not eat their dinner immediately afterbreakfast. A long interval passed between the two meals, which theyemployed in washing, scouring, and setting all their tackle to rights--for this had got sadly out of order in the hurry of the previous days. While thus engaged, they occasionally cast their eyes over the prairie, but nothing of the buffalo could be seen. Indeed, they did not look forthem very earnestly, as they had made up their minds to stay a day ortwo where they were--until their animals should be well rested, andready for rough work again. The latter enjoyed themselves quite as muchas their masters. There was plenty of the "grama" grass growing alongthe banks of the rivulet, and that with the water was all they cared forto make them contented and happy. Jeanette appeared to be glad that shewas no longer among the dark woods, where she had so nearly been torn topieces by panthers and javalies. 

Before evening came the boys had finished all the little jobs which hadoccupied them. Their saddles, bridles, and lassos, were put in thoroughrepair, and placed upon the dry rocks. Their guns were wiped out, andthoroughly cleaned--lock, stock, and barrel. The horses, too, had beenwashed by the spring; and Jeanette's shanks had received a fresh "rub"with bear's grease, so that if ever that celebrated article brought outhair upon anything, it was likely to do so for her. 

I say, all their little matters having been thus attended to, the younghunters were sitting upon three large stones near the spring, talkingover their past adventures and their future prospects. Of course, thebuffalo was the principal theme, as that was the object of theirexpedition. They did not fail to think of their good old father; andthey congratulated themselves upon the pleasure he would have inlistening to the story of their adventures when they should get back totell it. Hugot, too, came in for a share of their thoughts; andFrancois laughed over the remembrance of the tricks he had from time totime played upon the little corporal. 

While thus enjoying themselves, the eyes of all were attracted to somedistant objects upon the prairie. 

"Ho!" exclaimed Francois, "what a string of wolves!"

Wolves were no unusual sight, and even at that moment several weresitting upon the prairie, not more than two hundred yards from the camp. They were those that had followed the party on their march, having keptalong with it for days. 

"The animals we see, yonder, are not wolves, " joyfully added Basil. "They are better than that, I fancy--they are deer!"

"No, brother, " rejoined Lucien, "they are antelopes. "

This announcement caused both Basil and Francois to spring to theirguns. Basil was particularly anxious to bring down an antelope, for hehad never killed one. In fact, he had never seen one, as this animal isnot met with near the Mississippi. Strange to say, its favourite rangeis the arid deserts that lie near the foots of the Rocky Mountains, where there is but little grass, and less water. In some of these it isthe only ruminating animal, of any considerable size, to be met with. It is often found so far from water, that some naturalists have assertedit can live without this necessary element. They forget that what tothem appears _far from water_, is to the antelope but a run of a fewminutes, or rather I should say, a flight--for its bounding speedresembles more the flight of a bird than the gallop of a four-footedcreature. 

Antelopes differ but little from deer. The latter want thegall-bladder, which all antelopes have. Another distinction is found inthe horns. The deer's horns are composed of a solid bony substance, which differs from true horn. The horns of the antelope are more likethose of a goat. These are the principal distinctions. In most otherrespects deer and antelopes are alike. Naturalists say there is but onespecies of antelope in North America--the prong-horned (_AntilopeAmericana_). When the fauna of Mexico has been carefully examined, Ithink another will be found. 

It is only upon the great prairies of the far west that the prong-hornedantelope is met with; and there it is a most shy and timid creature, allowing the hunter only to approach it by cunning and stratagem. Aherd is sometimes hunted by the Indians into a "pound, " or "surrounded;"but even then their fleetness often enables them to escape; and solaborious an undertaking is it to capture them thus, that the plan isbut seldom adopted, where any other game can be obtained. The easiestmode of taking the antelope is when it is found attempting to cross ariver--as its slender limbs and small delicate hoofs render it but apoor swimmer. The Indians sometimes destroy whole herds while thusendeavouring to swim across the great streams of the prairies. 

Although so shy, the antelope is as inquisitive as mother Eve was; andwill often approach its most dangerous enemy to satisfy its instinct ofcuriosity. Our party were destined to witness a singular illustrationof this peculiarity. 

Basil and Francois had seized their guns, but did not attempt to movefrom the spot. That would be of no use, they judged; as there was noteven a bunch of grass to shelter them in the direction whence theantelopes were approaching. They sat still, therefore, in hopes thatthe animals were on their way to the spring, and would come nearer oftheir own accord. In this conjecture the boys were right. The herd, about twenty in all, came on over the prairie, heading directly for thebutte. They walked in single file, following their leader like Indianson a war-path! They were soon so near, that the hunters coulddistinguish every part of their bodies--their yellow backs--their whitesides and bellies--the short erect manes upon their necks--theirdelicate limbs--their long pointed muzzles. They could even perceivethe little black spots behind their cheeks, which emit that disagreeableodour--as with the common goat--and on account of which thehunting-trappers, in their unromantic phraseology, have given the nameof "goats" to these most graceful animals. 

All these peculiarities our young hunters observed as the herdapproached. They had placed themselves behind some willow-bushes, so asnot to be seen by the latter. They observed, too, that there was butone of them with horns, and that was the foremost, or leader. All therest were does or young ones. The antelopes, as they came on, did notappear to regard the horses, that were browsing out upon the plain, though not directly in their way. They took the latter, no doubt, formustangs--who are not their enemies in any sense--and, therefore, didnot fear them. 

They arrived at length close to the spring rivulet, where it ran outupon the prairie. They did not approach it to drink. They wereevidently advancing towards the spring itself, perhaps with theintention of getting a cooler and more refreshing draught from thefountain-head. The young hunters lay concealed among the willows--eachwith his gun ready in his hand--determined to fire as soon as theunsuspecting creatures should come within range. 

They had got nearly so--within two hundred yards, or less--when all atonce the leader was seen to swerve suddenly to the right, and head awayfrom the water! What could this movement mean? On looking in the newdirection, several hairy objects were perceived upon the ground. Theywere odd-looking objects, of a reddish-brown colour, and might havepassed for a number of foxes lying asleep. But they were not foxes. They were wolves--_prairie-wolves_--a sort of animals more cunning eventhan foxes themselves. They were not asleep neither, though theypretended to be. They were wide awake, as they lay squatted closelyupon the grass, with their heads so completely hidden behind their bushytails, that it would have been impossible to have told what they were, had not the boys known that they were the same wolves they had noticedbut the moment before. There were about half-a-dozen of them in all, lying in a line; but so close were they, that their bodies touched oneanother, and at first sight appeared as one object, or a string ofobjects connected together. They lay perfectly still and motionless. It was this group that had attracted the leader of the antelope herd, and was drawing him out of his course. 

Curious to witness the _denouement_, our hunters continued to lie quietin their ambush among the willows. 

The antelopes had all turned in the track of their leader, and werefollowing him in the new direction, like soldiers marching in singlefile. They went slowly, with outstretched necks and eyes protruded, gazing steadfastly on the strange objects before them. When within ahundred yards or so of the wolves, the leader stopped, and sniffed theair. The others imitated him in every movement. The wind was blowingtowards the wolves, therefore the antelopes, who possess the keenestscent, could benefit nothing from this. They moved forward againseveral paces, and again halted, and uttered their snorts as before, andthen once more moved on. These manoeuvres lasted for some minutes; andit was evident that the spirits of fear and curiosity were strugglingwithin the breasts of these creatures. At times the former seemed tohave the mastery, for they would tremble, and start as if about to breakoff in flight. Curiosity would again prevail, and a fresh movementforward was the consequence. 

In this way they advanced, until the headmost had got within a few pacesof the wolves, who lay all the while as still as mice or as cats waitingfor mice. Not any part of them was seen to move, except the long hairof their tails that waved slightly in the breeze; but this only excitedthe curiosity of the antelopes to a greater degree. 

The leader of the herd seemed all at once to grow bolder. He was astout old buck--what had _he_ to fear? Why should _he_ dread suchcreatures as these, without heads, or teeth, or claws, and evidentlyincapable of moving themselves? No doubt they were inanimate objects. He would soon decide that question, by simply stepping up and laying hisnose upon one of them. 

He was instigated, moreover, by a species of pride or vanity. He wantedto show off his courage before his followers, who were mostly does; manyof them his wives too--for the old antelopes are shocking polygamists. It would never do to appear timid in the eyes of the fair does; and hewas determined to cut a swagger. Under this impulse, he walked boldlyup, until his sharp snout touched the hair of one of the wolves. 

The latter, who had been all the time peeping from under his tail, waiting for just such an opportunity, now sprang to his feet, andlaunched himself upon the throat of the antelope. His comrades, uncoiling themselves at the same instant, followed his example; and thenext moment the prong-horn was dragged to the ground, and worried by thewhole pack!

The frightened herd wheeled in their track and scattered right and left. Some ran in the direction of the hunters; but so swiftly did they boundpast, that the shots of the latter, aimed in haste, whistled idly overthe prairie. Not one of them appeared to have been touched; and, in afew seconds, not one of them was to be seen. They had all escaped, except their leader, who was by this time dying under the teeth of thewolves. 

"Well, we shall have _him_ at all events, " said Basil. "Load your guns, brothers! give the wolves time to kill him outright; we can easily runthem off. "

"Very kind of them, " added Francois, "to procure us fresh venison forsupper. Indeed we might not have had it but for their cunning. We havedone them some service during our journey; it is almost time they shouldmake us a return. "

"We had better make haste, then, " said Lucien, loading at the same timewith his brothers; "the wolves appear to be very busy; they may tear ourvenison to pieces. See! what a scuffle!"

As Lucien said this, the eyes of all were turned upon the wolves. Thelatter were leaping about over the body of the antelope, now in a thickclump, now more scattered, but all the while apparently worrying theanimal to death. Their jaws were already blood-stained, and their bushytails swept about and above them in ceaseless motion. The hunters madeall haste in reloading, lest, as Lucien had suggested, the wolves mightspoil the venison. They were not more than a minute engaged in rammingdown the bullets, and fixing the caps on the nipples of their guns. When this was done, all three ran forward together--Marengo in theadvance, with outstretched neck and open mouth, eager to do battle withthe whole pack. 

It was but three hundred yards to the spot where the wolves were; andwhen our hunters had got within range, all three stopped, levelled theirpieces, and fired. The volley took effect. Two were seen kicking andsprawling over the grass, while the others, dropping their prey, scampered off over the prairie. The boys ran up. Marengo leaped uponone of the wounded wolves, while the other was despatched by the buttsof their guns. But where was the antelope? There was no such animal tobe seen; but, in its stead, half-a-dozen fragments of mangled skin, ahorned head and shanks, with a clump of half-picked, ribs and joints!And this was all that was left of the poor prong-horn--all that was leftof that beautiful form that, only a few moments before, was boundingover the prairie in the full pride of health, strength, and swiftness!

The boys contemplated his remains with feelings of disappointment andchagrin; for, although there was still plenty of bear-meat, they hadanticipated supping upon fresh venison. But neither "haunch" nor"saddle" was left--nothing but torn and useless fragments--so, aftersundry sharp ejaculations against the wolves, they left Marengo to makehis best of the _debris_, and, walking back slowly to the camp, seatedthemselves once more upon the stones. 

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. 

DECOYING AN ANTELOPE. 

They had not rested more than five minutes, when their attention wasagain attracted to the prairie. Another herd of antelopes! Strange tosay, it was; and, like the former, these were making directly for thespring. The hunters knew they were not the same; for this herd was muchlarger, and there were several males in it, easily distinguishable bytheir forked horns. 

The guns were again loaded, and Marengo was called up--lest he mightfrighten them off. 

These, like the others, marched in order, in single file--led by a largebuck. There appeared to be about thirty or more in this herd. Theyhad, no doubt, been pasturing all day on some far plain, and were now ontheir way to the water, determined to have a good drink before going torest for the night. 

When they had arrived within four or five hundred yards of the spring, they turned slightly to the left. This brought them at once to therivulet--where they entered, and having drunk, went out again, andcommenced browsing along the bank. It was evident they did not intendcoming any nearer to the butte, or the grove of willows, where ourhunters had concealed themselves. This was a disappointment. All threehad once more set their minds upon an antelope supper; and now theirchances of getting it seemed every moment growing less--as the animals, instead of coming nearer, were browsing away from them over the prairie. There was no cover by which they might be approached. What, then, could the hunters do, but leave them to go as they had come?

But there was an expedient which suggested itself to the mind of Basil. He had heard of it from old hunters; and the curious conduct of thefirst herd, so lately shown in regard to the wolves, recalled it to hisremembrance. He resolved, therefore, to try this expedient, and securean antelope if possible. 

Cautioning his brothers to remain quiet, he took up one of the redblankets that lay near. He had already cut a long forked sapling, andsharpened it at one end with his knife. He now spread out the blanket, holding it up before him; and, with his rifle in one hand, and thesapling in the other, he passed out of the willows into the openground--keeping the blanket between him and the animals, so that hisbody was completely hidden from them. In this way he advanced a fewpaces, walking in a bent attitude, until he had attracted the attentionof the antelopes. He then stuck the sapling firmly in the ground, hungthe blanket upon its forks, and knelt down behind it. 

An object so odd-looking, both as regarded form and colour, at onceexcited the curiosity of the herd. They left off feeding, and commencedapproaching it--halting at short intervals, and then continuing toadvance. They did not move in single file--as the former herd haddone--but first one, and then another of the bucks took the lead, eachwishing to make a display of his courage. In a few minutes one of thelargest was within range; when Basil, who was lying flat along thegrass, took sight at the animal's breast and fired. 

The buck leaped up at the shot; but, to the great disappointment of themarksman, turned in his tracks, and fled along with the rest of theherd, all of which had bounded off on hearing the crack of the rifle. 

Basil beheld this with some surprise. He had taken deliberate aim; andhe knew that when he did so, it was seldom that his rifle failed him. He had missed this time, however, as he thought, when he saw theantelope run off apparently unhurt; and, attributing his failure to thehurried manner in which he had loaded his piece, he took up the blanket, and turned with a mortified look towards his companions. 

"Look yonder!" cried Francois, who still watched the retreatingantelopes; "look at the wolves! Away they go after. "

"Ha!" exclaimed Lucien, "you have wounded the buck, brother, else thewolves would never follow. See! they are running upon his track likehounds!"

Lucien was right. The animal was hit, or the wolves would not haveembarked in a chase so hopeless as the pursuit of a prong-horn; for, strange to say, these cunning creatures can tell when game has beenwounded better than the hunters themselves, and very often pursue andrun it down, when the latter believes it to have escaped! It wasevident, therefore, that Basil had hit the animal--though not in adeadly part--and the wolves were now following with the hope of huntingit down. 

A new idea came into Basil's mind. He thought he might yet _be in atthe death_; and with this idea he ran up to his horse, drew thepicket-pin, and leaping upon his bare back, directed him after thechase. He was soon in full gallop over the prairie, keeping the wolvesin sight as he went. He could see the antelope, he had fired at, somedistance ahead of the wolves, but _far behind the rest of the herd_, andevidently running _heavily and with pain_. 

It cost the young hunter a five-mile gallop; and, at the end of that, while he was yet half-a-mile in the rear, he saw the wolves come up withthe wounded antelope, and drag it down upon the prairie. He made allthe haste he could--putting Black Hawk to the top of his speed. In afew minutes he was upon the ground, and scattered the wolves as hegalloped among them; but once more he had arrived too late. The body ofthe antelope was torn to pieces, and more than half devoured; while onlyhalf-picked bones and pieces of skin remained to reward him for his longride!

With an ejaculation, which came very near being a French oath, thedisappointed hunter turned his horse, and rode slowly back--wishing thewolves far enough as he went. 

When he returned, Francois assisted him in his maledictions; forFrancois was tired of the bear-meat, and was vexed at being thus asecond time cheated out of something fresh for supper. 

Lucien, however, assured them both that the flesh of the antelope, as hehad heard, was "no great eating, " after all; and this, in some degree, pacified them--so that, with a stew of the jerked bear and parsnips, andsome pinon bread, which Lucien had prepared according to the Indianfashion, all three made a supper that was not to be sneered at under anycircumstances. When it was eaten, they brought their horses closer tothe camp--so as to have them near in case of necessity--and, havingwrapped themselves in their blankets, they once more sought therefreshment of sleep. 

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. 

SCATTERING THE CIMMARONS. 

This night they were not permitted to sleep without interruption. Twoor three times their horses bounded about at the end of theirtrail-ropes, frightened by some prowling animal. It might be wolves, thought they; but the dog Marengo, who did not mind the wolves, showedsymptoms of terror, growling savagely it intervals, but all the whilekeeping in by the camp. The mule Jeanette, too, came close up to thefire--as near as her rope would allow her--and our adventurers could seethat she trembled, as if in fear of some well-known enemy! Severaltimes they could distinguish, amidst the howling of the wolves, astrange sound, differing altogether from the voices of the latter. Itwas a kind of continued snort, uttered in a low and querulous tone; andwhen uttered, it always caused Jeanette to start, and Marengo to crouchcloser to them. Could it be the voice of the cougar? or, more fearfulthought still, the snort of the grizzly bear? The latter was notunlikely. They were now in a region where these fierce animals are tobe met with; and just in such a spot as one or more of them would choosefor their abode. 

It was a fearful apprehension, and it would have banished sleep from theeyes of the young hunters had they been certain that grizzly bears werein their neighbourhood. They were not certain, however; still theyresolved not to sleep all at one time, but to keep watch in turns. Thefire was replenished with fresh wood, so that the blaze would enablethem to see for a good distance around; and then two of them lay down tosleep again, while the third watched, sitting up with his piece inreadiness for any sudden attack. Each took a two-hours' turn assentinel until the morning broke, which put an end to their fears, as noenemy appeared to be near them. 

They now bestirred themselves, let loose their horses upon the grass, performed their ablutions in the crystal water of the spring, and madeready their breakfast. They did not fail to observe, that their stockof the jerked meat could serve them but a day or two longer; for thewolves at their last camp had carried off a considerable portion of it. They were not without fears as to their future subsistence, as thereseemed to be no game in that part of the country except antelopes; andtheir experience already taught them how little chance they had ofcapturing these. Should they not fall in with the buffalo, therefore, they might starve with hunger. 

These thoughts occupied them while engaged in preparing and eatingbreakfast; and they resolved to go on half rations of the bear-meat, andeconomise the little of it that was left. 

After breakfast they held a council as to their future route. Shouldthey go north, south, east, or west, from the butte? They were ofdifferent minds. At length, however, they all agreed that before comingto any determination, it would be best to climb the butte, and from itstop get a view of the surrounding country, which might enable them toresolve upon the best route to be taken. Perhaps they might see thebuffaloes from its summit--as it, no doubt, commanded an extensive viewof the prairie on all sides. 

Shouldering their guns, and leaving their blankets and utensils by thespring, they started on foot to find a place where they might ascend theeminence. They went round by the western end, for their camp was nearits north-east side. As they proceeded, they began to fear that therewas no place where the hill could be climbed. On all sides it appearedto be a precipice rising perpendicularly from the plain! Here and thereloose rocks lay at its base, as if they had fallen from above; and treesgrew out of its face, clinging by their roots in the seams of the cliff. Scattered pines standing upon its topmost edge, stretched theirbranches out over the plain; and the aloe plants, the yuccas, and cacti, added to the wild picturesqueness of its appearance. 

On reaching the westernmost point of the butte, a new object presenteditself to the eyes of our adventurers. It resembled a range of cliffs, or low mountains, at a great distance off to the west, and running fromnorth to south as far as they could see. It _was_, in fact, a range ofcliffs--similar to those of the butte. It was the eastern escarpment ofthe famous "Llano Estacado, " or "Staked Plain. " The boys had oftenheard hunters speak of this tableland, and they recognised its featuresat a glance. The butte around which they were travelling was nothingmore than an outlying "mesa" of this singular formation of the prairies. 

After gazing, for a moment, on the far-off bluffs, our young hunterscontinued on their course, keeping around the southern side of theeminence. Still the cliffs rose perpendicularly, and offered no slopeby which they might be scaled. They appeared even higher on this side;and in some places hung over, with dark jutting rocks, and large treesgrowing horizontally outward. 

At one place the boys had halted, and were gazing upward, when severalstrange-looking creatures suddenly appeared upon the edge of theprecipice above them. They were animals, but such as they had neverseen before. Each of them was as large as a common deer, and nearly ofthe same colour--reddish upon the back and flanks, though the throat, hips, and under parts, were of a whitish hue. They were nearlydeer-shaped, though of somewhat stouter proportions, and to these theybore a strong resemblance in many other respects. In the form of theirheads and general expression of their faces they resembled sheep morethan any other animals. But the most singular part of them was thehorns; and these enabled our hunters at a glance to tell what sort ofanimals they were. They were the "cimmarons, " or wild sheep of theRocky Mountains. 

In regard to their horns, they differed very much from one another; andat first sight there appeared to be two distinct species of animals. Some of them had short horns--not over six inches in length--rising fromthe crown of the head and bending slightly backward, without wideningmuch between the tips. These were the females of the flock. The males, however, presented an appearance altogether different, owing to theimmense size of their horns. These grew out immediately over theireyes, first curving backwards, and then forwards again, until theirpoints nearly touched the jaws of the animals on both sides. The hornsof some were more than a yard in length, and quite half as much incircumference at the base, where they were deeply indented withring-like grooves and protuberances, such as are seen in those of thecommon ram. These huge appendages gave the creatures a singular andimposing appearance, as they stood out upon the brink of the precipiceoutlined against the blue sky. There were about a dozen of them inall--both males and females, --but the males could be more plainly seen, as they were farther forward upon the cliff, looking down and snuffingthe tainted air. 

As soon as our young hunters had recovered from their first surprise atthis novel sight, all three levelled their pieces with the intention offiring. But the cimmarons seemed to have guessed their design; for, asthe guns were pointed upward, they wheeled, and were out of sight in atwinkling. 

The boys remained on the spot for more than a quarter of an hour, inhopes that the animals would again make their appearance on theprecipice above. The latter, however, did not return. They hadsatisfied their curiosity; or else, wiser than the antelopes, they werenot going to let it lure them into danger. Our hunters, therefore, wereat length constrained to leave the spot, and continue their search for apath that might lead upward. 

They were now more anxious than ever to reach the summit of the butte. There was a flock of wild sheep upon it, and from these they hoped toreplenish their larder. As they proceeded, every crevice or ravine thatseemed to lead up the cliff was carefully examined; but upon all itssouthern front no practicable path could be discovered. 

"There must be _some_ way up, " said Francois, "else how could the sheephave got there?"

"Maybe, " suggested Basil, "they were bred up there, and have never beendown to the plain. "

"No, " said Lucien, "that is not likely, brother. There can be no water, I think, upon the table above; and these animals require drink as wellas others. They must descend occasionally to the spring for it. "

"Then there is a path, " said Francois. 

"No doubt, for _them_ there is, " replied Lucien; "but for all that, wemay not be able to follow it. These animals, although hoofed as sheepare, can scale a cliff like cats, or spring down one like squirrels. Itis in that way they are enabled to escape from wolves, panthers, andother beasts who would prey upon them. "

"I have heard, " said Basil, "that they can fling themselves down for ahundred feet or more upon their horns, without receiving the slightestinjury. Is that true, Luce?"

"Both the Indians and trappers affirm it, and intelligent travellershave believed them. Whether it be true or not is a question amongnaturalists, that remains to be cleared up. It is certain that they canleap downward for a very great distance--that they can alight on thenarrowest shelves of a precipice without a hoof slipping--that they canspring across fearful chasms, and run swiftly along ledges where a dogor a wolf would not dare to venture. Indeed, they seem to delight insuch situations--as if it gave them a pleasure to court danger, just asa school-boy likes to luxuriate in perilous feats of agility. "

"Are these the same that are called `big-horns' by the hunters?"demanded Francois. 

"The same, " answered Lucien; "`cimmaron' is the name given by theSpaniards--the earliest explorers of these regions. Naturalists havenamed them `argali, ' from their resemblance to the argali (_Ovisammon_), or wild sheep of Europe. They are not the same species, however. In my opinion, they are _not wild sheep at all_, but trueantelopes, as much so as the chamois of the Alps, or the prong-horns ofthe prairie. Indeed, to say that our common sheep sprung from theargali seems a very absurd theory. There is but little resemblancebetween the two animals, except about the head and horns of the rams;and, I think, no circumstances could have caused such a difference asthere exists between them in other respects. I should say, then, thatthe big-horns are not sheep, but antelopes--_mountain_ _antelopes_, youmight call them, to distinguish them from their prong-horned cousins, who prefer to range over the plains, while they, on the contrary, spendmost of their time among the steep and craggy cliffs. "

An exclamation from Basil, who was walking a few paces in advance, atthis moment summoned the attention of his brothers, and put an end tothis conversation. They had arrived at the eastern end of the butte, which on that side presented a different appearance from either of theothers. There was a deep ravine that indented the cliff, and along itschannel a sloping path appeared to lead up to the top. This channel wasfilled with large loose rocks, surrounded by an underwood of cacti andacacia thorns; and it seemed as though the slope was sufficiently easyto be ascended by a person on foot. Near the bottom of the ravine werevery large boulders; and a spring, more copious than the one where thehunters had encamped, ran out from among them, and flowed south-eastwardthrough a fringe of grass and willows. 

As the boys came up to the spring branch, some tracks in the soft muddrew their attention. They were of an oblong shape, and larger than thefootprints of a man; but the deep holes made by five great claws at theend of each told what animal had made them. They were the tracks of thegrizzly bear. There could be no doubt of this, for there were theprints of the long plantigrade feet, the tubercules of the toes, and theholes where the curving claws had sunk several inches into the mud. Noother animal could have made such marks--not even the black or brownbear, whose claws are short in comparison with those of the grizzlymonster of the mountains. 

For some moments our hunters hesitated under feelings of alarm; but, asthe animal that had made the tracks was not in sight, their fearsgradually subsided to some extent, and they began to consider what wasbest to be done. Should they go up the ravine, and endeavour to reachthe summit? This would only be carrying out their original intention, and they would have started upward without hesitation, had they notdiscovered the bear-tracks. Seeing these, however, had put a new aspecton the matter. If there were grizzly bears in the neighbourhood--andthis seemed very certain--the ravine was the most likely place to findthem in. Its thick underwood, with the numerous crevices that, likecaverns, appeared among the rocks on each side, were just such places asgrizzly bears delight in. Their lair might be in this very ravine, andit would be a dangerous business to stumble upon it in passing up. Butour young hunters were full of courage. They had a keen desire toascend the butte--partly out of curiosity, and partly to get a shot atthe big-horns--and this desire triumphed over prudence. They resolvedto carry through what they had begun; and at length commenced to ascend, Basil taking the lead. 

It was severe climbing withal; and now and again they had to pullthemselves up by laying hold of branches and roots. They noticed that_there was a trail_, which they followed upward. No doubt thebig-horns, or some other animals, had made this trail as they passed upand down--though it was only distinguishable by a slight discolorationupon the rocks, and by the earth being packed firmer in some places, asif by hoofs or feet. A little better than half-way up the boys observeda fissure, like the entrance of a cave, on one side of the ravine andclose to the trail. Around this the earthy colour of the rocks, theabsence of herbage, and the paddled appearance of the soil, suggestedthe idea that some animal made its den there. They passed it insilence, climbing as quickly as the nature of the ground would allowthem, and looking backwards with fear. In a few minutes they hadreached the escarpment of the butte; and, raising themselves by theirhands they peeped over, and at once obtained a view of its wholetable-like summit. 

It was, as they had conjectured, perfectly level upon the top, with anarea-surface of about twenty or thirty acres. Pine-trees grew thinlyover it, with here and there a bush or two of acacia, the species knownas "mezquite. " There was plenty of grass among the trees, and largetussocks of "bunch grass" mingling with cactus and aloe plants, formed aspecies of undergrowth. This, however, was only at two or three spots, as for the most part the surface was open, and could be seen at a singleview. The hunters had hardly elevated their heads above the cliff, whenthe herd of big-horns became visible. They were at the moment near thewestern extremity of the table; and, to the astonishment of all, theyappeared leaping over the ground as if they were mad! They were notattempting to escape; for they had not as yet noticed the boys, who, ongetting above, had crept cautiously behind some bushes. On thecontrary, the animals were skipping about in different directions at thesame time, and bounding high into the air. After a moment it wasobserved that only those with the large horns were taking part in thisexercise, while the others were browsing quietly near them. It was soonevident what the males were about. They were engaged in a fierceconflict; and their angry snorts, with the loud cracking of their horns, told that they were in terrible earnest. Now they backed from eachother--as rams usually do--and anon they would dash forward until theirheads met with a crash, as though the skulls of both had been splinteredby the concussion. Sometimes two fought by themselves, and at othertimes three or four of them would come together, as if it matteredlittle which was the antagonist. They all appeared to be equally theenemies of one another. Strange to say, the ewes did not seem totrouble themselves about the matter. Most of these were feedingquietly, or if at times they looked up towards their belligerent lords, it was with an air of nonchalance and indifference, as if they carednothing at all about the result. 

Our hunters felt confident that they had the whole flock in a trap. They had only to guard the pass by which they themselves had come up, and then hunt the big-horns over the table at their leisure. It wasagreed, therefore, that Lucien with Marengo should remain there, whileBasil and Francois stole up for a first shot. They lost no time inputting this plan into execution. They perceived that the fightcompletely occupied the attention of the animals; and, taking advantageof this, Basil and Francois crept over the ground--shelteringthemselves, as well as they could--until they had got within easy range. Both arrived together behind a little clump of acacias; and, by asignal from Basil, they raised themselves together to take aim. As theydid so, they saw one of the rams, who had been backing himself for arush, suddenly disappear over the edge of the cliff! They thought hehad tumbled over--as his legs were the last of him they had seen--butthey had no time to speculate upon the matter, as both pulled trigger atthe moment. Two of the animals were laid prostrate by their fire; whilethe rest bounded off, ran out to a point of the table, and there halted. 

Basil and Francois leaped to their feet, shouting for Lucien to be onthe alert: but, to their great surprise, the cimmarons, as if newlyterrified by their shouts, and finding their retreat cut off, sprangover the precipice, disappearing instantly from view!

"They must be all killed, " thought Basil and Francois; and, callingLucien to come up, all three ran to the point where the animals hadleaped off, and looked over. They could see the plain below, but nobig-horns! What had become of them?

"Yonder!" cried Francois; "yonder they go!" and he pointed far out uponthe prairie where several reddish-looking objects were seen flying likethe wind toward the far bluffs of the Llano Estacado. Lucien nowdirected the eyes of his brothers to several ledge-like steps upon thecliff, which, no doubt, the animals had made use of in their descent, and had thus been enabled to reach the bottom in safety. 

As soon as the cimmarons were out of sight, the hunters turned towardsthe two that had been shot--both of which, a male and female, laystretched upon the grass and quite dead. The boys were about tocommence skinning them, when Basil and Francois remembered what they hadobserved just before firing; and, curious to convince themselves whetherthe big-horn had actually tumbled over the cliff by accident or leapedoff by design, they walked forward to the spot. On looking over theedge, they saw a tree shaking violently below them, and among itsbranches a large red body was visible. It was the cimmaron; and, totheir astonishment, they perceived that he was hanging suspended by oneof his huge horns, while his body and legs, kicking and struggling, hungout at their full length in the empty air! It was evident he hadtumbled from the top contrary to his intentions; and had been caughtaccidentally in the branches of the pine. It was a painful sight towitness the efforts of the poor creature; but there was no means ofgetting him off the tree, as he was far beyond their reach; and Basil, having loaded his rifle, in order to put an end to his agony, sent abullet through his heart. The shot did not alter his position--as thehorn still held on to the branch--but the animal ceased struggling andhung down dead, --to remain there, doubtless, until some hungry vultureshould espy him from afar, and, swooping down, strip the flesh from hisswinging carcass!

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. 

BESIEGED BY GRIZZLY BEARS. 

The young hunters now laid aside their guns, drew their knives, andskinned the cimmarons with the dexterity of practised "killers. " Theythen cut up the meat, so as the more conveniently to transport it totheir camp. The skins they did not care for; so these were suffered toremain on the ground where they had been thrown. 

As soon as the "mutton" was quartered, each shouldered a piece, andcommenced carrying it toward the ravine, intending to return and bringthe rest at another load or two. On reaching the point where the pathcame up on the table, they saw that it would be difficult for them todescend with their burdens--as it is more easy to climb a precipice thanto get down one. Another plan suggested itself; and that was, to pitchthe pieces down before them to the bottom of the ravine. This theycould accomplish without difficulty. It would do the meat no harm--asthey intended to cut it up for jerking--and they could easily wash outthe dirt and gravel at the spring, when they had got it all there. 

This plan was at once adopted; and, taking up piece by piece they flungthem down the chasm, and could see them lying among the rocks at thebottom. They then went back to the carcasses, took up fresh loads, andreturned with them to the ravine. 

As they stepped forward to fling them over, a sight met their eyes thatcaused each one to drop his load upon the spot. Down near the bottom ofthe ravine, and moving among the pieces of meat, was a hideous object--ahuge and ill-shaped animal. Its great size--its long shaggy hair andgreyish brown colour--but, above all, its fierce aspect, left no doubtupon the minds of our hunters as to what sort of animal it was. Therewas no mistaking the dreaded monster of the mountains--the _grizzlybear_!

It was nearly twice the size of the common bear; and it differed fromthe latter in other respects. Its ears were more erect; its eyes, ofburnt sienna colour, looked more fiery and glaring; its head and muzzlewere broader--giving it an appearance of greater boldness and strength--and its long crescent-shaped claws, protruding from the shaggy coveringof its feet, could be distinctly seen from the top of the cliff. Withthese it had just torn one of the pieces of mutton into smallerfragments, and was eagerly devouring it as the boys arrived on theheight above. It was so busily engaged that it did not notice them. 

All three, as we have said, dropped their loads on the ground; and, after pausing for a moment to look down, ran precipitately back fortheir guns. These they got hold of, and examined with care, looking totheir caps and nipples. They had already loaded them, before commencingto skin the cimmarons. They now stole cautiously back to the ravine, and again looked over its edge. To their consternation, _not one bear, but three of these horrid animals_ were busy with the meat below! Onewas smaller than either of the others, and differed from them in colour. It was quite black; and might have passed for a full-grown bear of theblack species. It was not that, however; but a large cub, of which theother two were the parents. 

All three were tearing away at the fresh meat, evidently in high glee, and not caring to consider whence such a windfall had come, so long asthey were getting the benefit of it. They occasionally uttered loudsnorts--as if to express their gratification--and at intervals the oldmale one growled as the cub interfered with his eating. The female, onthe contrary, as she tore the mutton into fragments, kept placing thedaintiest morsels before the snout of her black progeny; and withplayful strokes of her paw admonished it from time to time to fall toand eat. Sometimes they ate standing erect, and holding the meatbetween their fore-paws. At others they would place the piece upon arock, and devour it at their leisure. Their jaws and claws were redwith the blood--that still remained in the hastily-butchered meat--andthis added to the ferocious aspect of the trio. 

Our adventurers gazed down upon the scene with feelings of the utmostterror; and no wonder. They had heard such stories of the grizzly bear, as would have inspired stouter hearts than theirs with feelings of thekind. They knew that no hunter, when dismounted, ever dares to attackthis animal; and, even when on horseback and armed with his trustyrifle, he will only venture to do so when the ground is open, and he issure of escape through the fleetness of his horse. They knew thathunters, even when in large parties, are often chased by a single bearof this kind, after each of them had given him a shot; for as many astwenty bullets have been fired into the body of a grizzly bear withoutbringing him to the ground. All these facts came into the minds of ourboy hunters at the moment. No wonder they felt fear. 

They were in a most perilous situation. The bears occupied the ravine. There was no other path by which they could get down to their horses. They had gone almost quite round the butte in their morning search. They had seen that it was precipitous on all sides, and they had sinceobserved that the space between the ravine and their point of startingwas the same. How, then, were they to get back to camp? There was noway but one--_down_ the ravine--and the bears would be certain to attackthem should they attempt to descend that way. 

The boys gazed at each other with terrified looks, repeating what theyhad to say in muttered whispers. All three well understood the dangerof their position. Would the bears, after they had satisfied theirhunger, go off and leave the ravine? No. The cave, which had beennoticed, was their lair, beyond a doubt. Even if they should enter it, what certainty was there that they would not rush out upon the boys asthey were clambering down? If so, they would easily overcome the latteramong the loose rocks and bushes. One or all would fall a sacrificeshould they attempt to descend. Might the bears not go out upon theplain? Perhaps they might go out as far as the spring, either forwater, or led by some other want. But even so, they would then be ableto see the hunters coming down, and could easily overtake them beforethe latter could reach the camp, or their horses. The horses had beenset loose, and were now a good distance off upon the prairie. There wasbut little consolation in this thought, and less in that which occurredto them next; which was that the fierce brutes might not be satisfied atwhat they had eaten, but might take it into their heads to clamber up tothe summit in search of more! This apprehension was the most fearful ofall--as the boys knew that there was no place upon the table where theycould long conceal themselves; and to get down, if once discovered andpursued, would be utterly impossible. 

Filled with these appalling thoughts, they crouched upon their hands andknees, now peering cautiously through the leaves of the aloes, and nowwhispering to each other the various plans of escape that suggestedthemselves. But all these plans ended in the faint hope that the bearsmight make a temporary absence from the ravine, and give them a chanceto pass down. They could think of no other mode of extricatingthemselves from their dilemma. 

At times the idea occurred to Basil, of taking good aim, and firing atone or other of the huge animals. Francois applauded this idea, whileLucien as strongly opposed it. The latter argued that it would onlyirritate the bears, and bring them up at once--that there was no chanceof killing any of them by a single bullet, unless it passed through thebrain or the heart; and this, aiming, as they must do, over a cliff, wasa very problematical affair. Even should one fall, the others wouldavenge the death of their comrade. A volley would not be likely to killthem all. 

Lucien's arguments prevailed; and the less prudent brothers gave uptheir idea of firing, and remained, silently gazing down as before. 

They lay for nearly half-an-hour watching and waiting. The bearsfinished their meal, having devoured every bit of the meat. Were theysatisfied? No. A shoulder of mutton is but a morsel to the ravenousappetite of a grizzly bear; and it seemed only to have set theirs uponedge. They guessed whence their lunch had come--from above--and therewas the place to go in search of their dinner. They looked up. Theboys suddenly drew back their heads, hiding them behind the leaves. Itwas too late. The bears had seen them, and the next moment weregalloping upward!

The first thought of our hunters was to fly, and with this intentionthey all sprang to their feet. But Basil, with a feeling of rage, wasdetermined to try whether a rifle-bullet might not serve as a check tothe advancing enemy. He levelled down the pass, and fired. Hisbrothers, seeing him do so, followed his example--Francois emptying bothbarrels that had been loaded with buck-shot. One of the bears--the cubit was--tumbled back down the ravine but after the volley the largest ofall was seen clambering up, growling fiercely as he came. The hunters, not having time to reload, ran off over the table--scarcely knowing whatdirection to take. 

When they had got half-way across it, all three stopped and looked back. The foremost bear was just rising above the cliff; and the next momenthis long body was stretched out in pursuit of them. They had been inhopes that the pieces of meat might have attracted his attention, anddrawn him aside. This did not happen. The meat was not directly uponhis path; moreover, the animal appeared infuriated as he approached. Hehad been stung by the shot, and was bent upon revenge. 

It was a terrible moment. The angry monster was within three hundredyards of them. In a few seconds he would be upon them, and one or theother must become his victim. 

In crises like these, bold minds are the most apt to conceiveexpedients. So it was with that of Basil. On other occasions he wasrash and often imprudent, but in moments of extreme danger he becamecool and collected, even more so than his philosophic brother, Lucien. A thought, which hitherto had strangely been overlooked both by himselfand his brothers, now in the hour of peril came into his mind. Heremembered that the grizzly bear is _not a tree-climber_! With thethought he shouted out, --

"To the trees! to the trees!" at the same time embracing one of thepines, and sprawling upwards as fast as he could climb. 

Both Lucien and Francois imitated his example, each taking to the treethat grew nearest him--for the bear was not twenty paces behind them, and there was no time to pick and choose. Before the latter could comeup, however, all three were perched in the pines, as high among thebranches as they could safely get. 

The bear galloped forward, and seeing where they had gone, ran from treeto tree, growling with rage and disappointment. He rose upon hishind-legs, and endeavoured to reach the lowermost branches with hisfore-paws--as if he intended to draw himself up, or drag the tree down. One by one he assailed the pines, shaking them with violence, and withhis claws making the bark fly off in large pieces. One in particular--that upon which Francois had taken refuge--being a small tree, vibratedso rapidly under the powerful efforts of the brute, that its occupantwas in danger of being dashed to the ground. But the fear of such anevent caused Francois to put forth all his energies; and, encouraged bythe shouts of Basil and Lucien, he held on manfully. The bear, after awhile, seeing he could not shake him off, gave it up; and again triedhis strength upon the trees that had been climbed by the others. Thisended as before; except that the bear completely skinned off the bark ashigh as he could reach, and made such an impression upon the trunks withhis teeth and claws, that the boys feared he might take it into his headto cut down the trees altogether. He could easily have accomplishedthis; but, fortunately for them, the grizzly bear is not gifted withreasoning faculties, else their fate would have been a terrible oneindeed. 

When he found, at length, that he could neither drag down the trees, norshake the boys out of them, he gave up the attempt; and for a timewalked from one to the other, backwards and forwards, like a sentry, nowand then uttering a loud "sniff, " and at intervals growling fiercely. At length he stretched his huge body along the ground, and appeared tosleep!

What had become of the female and the cub? Had both fallen by the shotsfired at them? Neither had as yet made their appearance on the summit--for the boys from their perch could see every inch of its surface. Theywere still in the ravine then; but whether dead or alive could not bedetermined. The dog Marengo, by a wise instinct, had not attacked thebear, but had escaped to one edge of the table, where he was crouchingand cowering with fear, taking care not to put himself in the way ofbeing seen. 

The young hunters were now in a worse situation than ever. They darednot venture out of the trees without the certainty of dropping into thejaws of the monster; and they were suffering pain as they sat straddledacross the slender branches of the pines. Besides, they were thirsty--thirsty to an extreme degree. They had taken no water with them in themorning. The sun was fiercely hot; and, even while engaged in skinningthe big-horns, they had been complaining for want of water. They nowbegan to suffer from thirst, more than from any other cause. Should thebear remain for any length of time, what would become of them? Theymust either drop down to be at once torn to pieces, or perish slowlywhere they sat. These were the alternatives!

They could make no change in their situation. Their guns were upon theground, where in their haste they had flung them. They dared notdescend to recover them. They were utterly helpless; and could donothing but await the result. As if to tantalise them, they now beheldfor the first time the objects of their far expedition--the animals theyhad so long desired to come up with--_the buffaloes_! Away to thesouth-west a multitude of black bodies were seen upon the plain, likecrowds of men in dark clothing. They were moving to and fro, nowuniting in masses, and now separating like the squadrons of an irregulararmy. Miles of the green prairie were mottled by their huge dark forms, or hidden altogether from the view. They seemed to be moving northward, along the level meadows that stretched between the butte and the LlanoEstacado. This proved to be the case; for in a few minutes the headmosthad pushed forward on a line with the butte; and our young hunters coulddistinguish the shaggy, lion-shaped bodies of the bulls that formed thevanguard of the "gang. " Under other circumstances this would have beena glad sight indeed. As it was, it only served to render theirsituation more intolerable. The buffaloes were passing to the north. Even should they themselves escape, after a time they might not be ableto overtake them; and although they could distinguish none that were_white_--for the main body was a great way off--it was highly probablethat in so large a herd one or more of these would be found. 

As all three continued to watch the black multitudes rolling past, anexclamation, or rather a _shout_ of joy, was uttered by Basil. He wasupon a tree that stood apart from the others and gave him anunobstructed view of the plains to the west. 

"_Voila_! yonder! yonder!" he cried: "see! in the middle of the drove!See, brothers!--it shines in the sun--white--white! Huzza!--huzza!"

Basil's speech was scarcely coherent. Neither was that of his brothers, when they beheld the object to which he had alluded. It could benothing else, all believed, than the object of their long wild hunt--a_white buffalo_. All three huzzaed loudly, and for a moment forgot theperil of their position. Their shouts started the grizzly monsterbelow, who, lazily rising to his feet, once more commenced growling andshuffling about among the trees. The sight of him soon restored thehunters to a sense of the fearful realities that surrounded them. 

CHAPTER THIRTY. 

AN ESCAPE FROM THE BEAR-SCRAPE. 

For hours they sat upon their painful perch--now glancing downward atthe fierce gaoler that watched unweariedly below--now gazing out uponthe plain, where the dusky droves still continued to move. For hoursthe buffaloes kept passing northward, until the setting sun glancedredly from their brown bodies. Once or twice again the boys thoughtthey saw white ones in the herd; but their eyes had grown dim withwatching, and the pain which they endured now rendered them indifferentto aught else than their own misery. Despair had conquered hope--forthey were choking with thirst--and death stared them in the face. 

After a long while the bear again lay down, and placing his fore-pawsover his head appeared once more to sleep. Basil could stand it nolonger; and now resolved to make an effort to escape. At all events hewould try to bring about some change in their painful situation. 

Cautioning his brothers to remain silent, he slipped down from his tree;and, with the stealthy tread of a cat, crept over the ground in searchof his rifle. He soon laid hands upon it; and then, returning to histree, climbed up again. The shaking of the branches as he did so, awokethe bear; who sprang to his feet, and rushed towards the tree. Had hebeen a moment sooner, it would have been ill for Basil, for the snout ofthe animal, as he reared upward against the trunk, almost touched theboy's feet. It was an "inch of a miss as good as a mile, " and Basil wassaved. The next moment he was seated among the branches, and leisurelyloading his rifle!

Strange to say, the bear appeared to comprehend this movement. As ifaware of his danger, he kept out farther from the trees; and, whilerambling about, now, for the first time, stumbled upon what remained ofthe carcasses of the big-horns. These he proceeded to tear up, anddevour. He was still within range of the rifle, though not for a sureshot; but Basil, who knew he could load again, was determined either toforce him farther off, or bring him within reach; and with this intenthe took aim and fired. The bullet hit the bear in the fore-shoulder, for he was seen to turn his head and tear at the spot with his teeth, all the while growling with rage and pain. Strange to say, he stillcontinued to devour the meat!

Again Basil loaded and fired as before. This time the animal receivedthe shot about the head, which caused him to make fresh demonstrationsof his fury. He dropped his prey, and galloped back among the trees, first clutching one and then another, making repeated efforts to dragthem down. He at length came to Basil's tree, and seized it in hisfierce hug. This was exactly what the young hunter wanted. He hadhastily reloaded, and as the bear stood upright under the branches, heleant downwards until the muzzle of his rifle almost touched the snoutof the animal. Then came the report--a stream of fire was poured intothe very face of the bear--and a crashing sound followed. As the smokecleared off, the huge body was seen kicking and sprawling upon theground. The leaden messenger had done its work. It had passed throughthe brain; and in a few seconds the shaggy monster lay motionless uponthe earth. 

The boys now dropped from the trees. Francois and Lucien ran for theirguns, and all three having loaded with care, proceeded toward theravine. They stayed not to examine the enemy that had been slain. Thirst urged them on, and they thought only of getting to the springbelow. They were full of hope that the she-bear and her cub had beenkilled by their first fire, and that they would now find the road clear. 

What was their disappointment when, on looking down the ravine, they sawthe cub lying doubled up, near the bottom, and the old one standingsentry over it! The cub was evidently dead. So much the worse--as themother would not now leave it for a moment, and both were directly inthe path. The latter was moving backward and forward upon a ledge ofrock, at intervals approaching the cub and tossing its body with hersnout, and then uttering a low querulous moan, that was painful tolisten to!

The hunters saw at once that their situation was as bad as ever. Theirretreat was cut off by the infuriated mother, who might remain where shewas for an indefinite time. Should they fire down upon her, and takethe chances of once more escaping to the trees? This was an alternativewhich they had reason to dread. Their painful experience decided themagainst it. What then? Remain until after night-fall, and try to stealpast in the darkness? Perhaps the bear might retire to her cave, andgive them an opportunity to do so. But in the meantime they were dyingof thirst!

At this moment a happy idea suggested itself to Lucien. He saw thecactus plants growing near. There were large globes of theechinocactus. He remembered having read that these often assuaged thethirst of the desert traveller. The plants were soon reached, and theirsucculent masses laid open by the knives of the hunters. The coolwatery fibres were applied to their lips; and in a few minutes theirthirst was alleviated and almost forgotten. Still the bear occupied theravine, and so long as she remained there, there was no possible chanceof their getting back to camp. They saw, however, that they could donothing better than wait for the night, in hopes that the darkness mightbring about something in their favour. 

Night soon came on, but not darkness. It chanced to be a clearmoonlight; and they saw at once that it would then be quite as perilousto go down the ravine as it had been during the day. They could hearthe snorting and growling of the monster below; and they knew she stillheld the pass. Should they attempt to descend, she would discover themlong before they could get down. She could hear them clambering amongthe rocks and bushes. The advantage would be hers, as she could attackthem unawares. Besides, even had the coast been quite clear, they wouldhave found it difficult to get down the steep descent in the night. They dared not attempt it. After much deliberation, therefore, theyresolved to wait for the morning. 

Throughout all the live-long night they kept awake. They heard theirsteeds neighing below--wondering, poor brutes, what had become of theirmasters. The hinny of Jeanette echoed wildly from the cliffs, and wasanswered by the bark and howl of the prairie-wolf. These sounds, together with the more ominous snort of the bear, kept sleep from theeyes of our adventurers. They dared not go to sleep, unless by perchingthemselves in the trees; as they knew not the moment the bear might comeup to the summit. Sleeping upon the slender branch of a mountain pineis more painful than pleasant; and all three preferred keeping awake. 

Morning broke at length. The first light showed that the shaggysentinel was still at her post. She sat upon the same spot, as thoughshe was guarding her dead offspring. The young hunters, butparticularly Basil, began to grow impatient. They were hungry, thoughthere were still left some fragments of the wild mutton, which theycould have eaten. But they were thirsty as well. The juice of thecactus allayed, but did not quench, their thirst. They longed for adraught of cool water from the spring below. The buffaloes, too, weregone northward, "on the run. " They might never overtake them. Theymight never again have such an opportunity of procuring that for whichthey had endured all this suffering. These thoughts influenced allthree, but Basil more than any. Some attempt must be made to reach theplain, and escape from their elevated prison. 

Basil proposed provoking the bear, by firing upon her. She would pursuethem, he urged, as the other had done, and meet with a similar fate. This might have succeeded, but it would have been a dangerousexperiment. Lucien suggested that two of them should go round the edgeof the precipice and examine it more carefully, while the third kept awatch upon the bear. Perhaps there might yet be found some other paththat led to the plain. This offered but a faint hope; still it wouldtake only a few minutes to make the examination, and Lucien's proposalwas therefore agreed to. 

"If we only had a rope, " suggested Francois, "we could let ourselvesover the cliff, and then the old grizzly might stay there for ever, ifshe pleased. "

"Ha!" shouted Basil, as if some plan had suddenly come into his mind, "what dunces we have been! Why did we not think of it before? Come, brothers! I'll get you down in the twinkling of an eye--come!"

As Basil uttered these words, he strode off towards the spot where theyhad butchered the big-horns. On reaching it he drew his hunting-knife;and having spread out one of the skins, proceeded to cut it into strips. Lucien, at once guessing his design, assisted him in the operation;while Francois was sent back to the head of the ravine, in order towatch the bear. 

In a few minutes the brothers had cut up both of the hides, until theground was covered with long strips. These they knotted firmlytogether--placing cross-pieces of pine branches in the knots--until theyhad made a raw-hide rope over one hundred feet in length!

They now proceeded to a convenient point of the cliff--where a pine-treegrew near its edge--and tied one end of the new-made rope around thetrunk. To the other end they fastened Marengo, the three guns--forFrancois had arrived upon the ground--and, along with these, a largestone--in order to test the strength of the rope before any ofthemselves should venture upon it. All these things were now lowereddown until they could see them resting upon the prairie below. 

The rope was next made taut above; and the weight of the stone--whichwas too heavy for Marengo to move--kept all fast below. Francoisslipped down the rope first. There was but little difficulty in hisdoing so; as the pieces of wood formed rests, or steps, that preventedhim from sliding too fast. Lucien followed next, and then Basil; sothat in less than half an hour, from the time that this plan of escapehad occurred to them, all three found themselves safe upon the level ofthe prairie!

They did not waste time when they had got there. Marengo was released, and the whole party hurried in the direction of their horses. Thesewere soon reached, caught, and saddled; and our hunters, now that theycould mount at any moment they pleased, felt themselves safe. 

They resolved, however, to remain no longer by the butte, but to rideaway from it, as soon as they had eaten a morsel. A small fire was, therefore, kindled; and a piece of bear-meat, hastily broiled, satisfiedtheir hunger. Basil would have gone back on horseback, to attack theold she-bear in the ravine; but the more prudent Lucien dissuaded him;and, holding their horses in readiness, they packed their campequipments upon Jeanette, and once more took the route. 

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. 

THE VULTURES AND THEIR KING. 

They turned their horses' heads westward. It was their intention totravel in that direction, until they should strike the tracks of thebuffaloes, when they would turn to the north, follow upon the trail ofthese animals, and endeavour to come up with the great herd. This wasclearly the best course they could adopt. 

As they were riding past the western extremity of the butte, a flock oflarge birds drew their attention. They were vultures. The boys nowremembered the cimmaron that had fallen over the cliff; and, looking up, they beheld its body still swinging from the tree. It was that whichhad attracted the vultures. 

There were many of them--over an hundred in the flock. Some weresailing about in the air. Others had alighted on the top of the cliff, or perched themselves on the branches of the pines, while a few hoveredaround the carcass, occasionally settling a moment upon its stiffenedlimbs, and endeavouring to penetrate the hide with their beaks. Theyhad already torn out the eyes of the animal, but the tough skin of thebody still resisted their attacks. 

These birds were larger than ravens, and of a dark colour--nearly black. At a distance they appeared purely black; but, upon a nearer view, anadmixture of brownish feathers could be perceived, and this was apparentin some of them more than in others. To a careless observer they wouldall have passed for birds of the same species, although that was not thecase. There were two distinct species of them, the "turkey-buzzard"(_Cathartes aura_), and the black vulture (_Cathartes atratus_). Ourboys knew them well enough--for both kinds are common in Louisiana, andthroughout all the southern part of the United States. 

I have said that a careless observer would mistake the one species forthe other. They are nearly of the same size and colour, though thecarrion-crow is of a deeper black than the buzzard; but there are otherpoints of difference that would strike the eye of a naturalist at once. The buzzard is a much more handsomely formed bird, and is more graceful, both upon the ground and while sailing through the air. His wings arelonger and more elegantly plumed, and his tail is more tapering. Theskin of his naked head and neck, as well as that of his legs, is of areddish or flesh colour; while the same parts of the black vulture are amixture of black and grey--the black being caused by a down that growsthinly over the skin. They are easily distinguished in the air. Theblack vulture flies rather heavily--flapping his wings several timeswith a quick repetition, and then holding them horizontally for ahundred yards or so--while his short ill-proportioned tail is spread outlike a fan. The buzzard, on the contrary, holds his wings at rest--notin a horizontal position, but bent considerably upward. In thisattitude he will skim along for a quarter of a mile, without a singlestroke of his wings, and that, too, not downward as may be supposed, butalong a level, or a line often curving upward! How he executes thisupward movement is not known. Some suppose that he possesses the powerof inflating himself with heated air, which enables him to soar upwardwithout using his wings. This theory is not very clear, and requiresdemonstration before it can be accepted as the true one. Others saythat he is carried up by the impetus he has already obtained, by havingpreviously descended from an equal or greater height. This is not true, however, as the buzzard may be often seen to rise in this way after along flight along the level line. It is just possible that the sameprinciple by which the New Holland savages direct their boomerangs, orby which flat stones thrown horizontally often take an upwarddirection--a fact known to every boy--I say it is just possible thatthis principle, as yet but little understood, may be instructively actedon by the buzzard, and have something to do with his flight. Be thefacts as they may, it is an interesting sight to watch one of thesebirds, with broad wings outlined against the blue background of theheavens, now swimming in circles, now shooting off in horizontal lines, and anon soaring upward or tracing the undulating curves of the ogee. It is, to say the least of it, a striking and beautiful sight. 

The turkey-buzzard is, upon the whole, a nobler bird than the blackvulture. There is more of the eagle about him. Both, it is true, arecarrion-feeders, like all vultures; but the buzzard also hunts afterother food, such as snakes, lizards, and small quadrupeds. He willattack young lambs or pigs, when a good opportunity offers. So, too, will the black vulture, but not so frequently. Neither of them, however, do much harm in this respect; and their preying on such animalsis an exception, and not a rule. They only do so, probably, when drivento it by hunger. Both species are gregarious, although they do notalways appear in flocks. The buzzards, particularly, are often seenhunting alone, or in twos or threes; but their mode of life brings themtogether in large numbers. They often assemble--both buzzards and blackvultures--to the number of hundreds, over a single carrion. Thebuzzards, however, are not so plenty as the black vultures; and in oneof these flocks more than three-fourths will be found of the latterspecies. The buzzards are the shyer birds; and they are less disposedto keep together in flocks. It has even been said that these are notgregarious, as they are often seen alone in the high regions of the air. But it is certain that not only do numbers of them roost together atnight, but they even associate with the black vultures at such times. 

In most countries the vulture is a privileged bird. He is looked uponas a cheap and useful scavenger, clearing away the carcasses of deadanimals, that would otherwise pollute the atmosphere. This is a matterof much importance in hot countries; and it is only in such countriesthat vultures are commonly found. What a beautiful illustration of thecompleteness of Nature's laws! As you get into high latitudes andcolder regions--where the air is not so readily tainted by putridsubstances--the necessity for such a scavenger no longer exists, and heis rarely met with. There the great vulture gives place to the croakingraven, and the small carrion-crow. 

Vultures, I have said, are privileged birds. In most countries they areprotected by law. This is the case with regard to the present species, both in English and Spanish America, where there is a fine for killingthem. The consequence is, they are seldom molested; and in many placesare so tame, that they will permit you to come within a few feet ofthem. In the cities and villages of the Southern States they alight inthe streets, and go to sleep upon the house-tops. They do the same inthe cities of Mexico and South America, where both species are alsofound. 

As soon as our young hunters had got opposite the cliff where thevultures were, they reined up, determined to remain awhile, and watchthe manoeuvres of the birds. They were curious to see how the latterwould conduct themselves with a prey so singularly situated, as was thecarcass of the cimmaron. They did not dismount, but sat in theirsaddles, about an hundred yards from the cliff. The vultures, ofcourse, did not regard their presence; but continued to alight, bothupon the escarpment of the precipice and upon the loose rocks at itsfoot, as if no one was near. 

"How very like the buzzards are to hen turkeys!" remarked Francois. 

"Yes, " rejoined Lucien, "that is the reason why they are called`turkey-buzzards. '"

Francois' observation was a very natural one. There are no two birds, not absolutely of the same species, that are more like each other than aturkey-buzzard and a small-sized turkey-hen--that is, the commondomestic turkey of the black variety, which, like the buzzard, isusually of a brownish colour. So like are they, that, at the distanceof a hundred yards, I have often taken the one for the other. Thisresemblance, however, extends no farther than to the generalappearance--the shape and colour. In most other respects they differ, as you may imagine, very materially. 

"Talking of turkey-buzzards, " continued Lucien, "reminds me of ananecdote that is told in relation to one. "

"Oh! let us have it, brother, " said Francois. 

"With pleasure, " replied Lucien. "It is intended to illustrate thesuperior cunning of the white over the Indian race; and is a pretty fairsample of the honesty and justice which the former has too oftenobserved in its dealings with the latter. It is as follows:--

"A white man and an Indian went out together for a day's hunting. Theyagreed that the game should be equally divided at night, no matter whohad killed the largest share of it. During the day the Indian shot aturkey, and the white hunter a turkey-buzzard; and these two birds wereall that either of them were able to meet with. The proceeds of theday's hunt were brought together; and now arose a difficulty about anequal division of the game. Both knew well enough the value of a goodfat turkey; and both were as well acquainted with the utterworthlessness of the buzzard--which was in fact _worth less thannothing_, as its filthy odour was extremely repulsive. It was evidentthat the only way of making a fair division would have been to cut theturkey in two equal parts, and each to take one of the halves. Thewhite man, however, would not agree to this; but proposed that one ofthem should take the whole turkey, and the other the buzzard. 

"`It's a pity, ' argued he, `to spoil the birds. It's better for each ofus to take one. '

"`Very well, ' said the Indian. `Shall we draw lots for the choice?'

"`Oh, no, ' replied the other. `It's not worth while to do that. I'lldeal fairly with you. I'll take the turkey, and let you have thebuzzard; or, _you can take the buzzard_, and I'll keep the turkey. '

"The Indian reflected, that in either case the buzzard would fall to hisshare; but the white man's proposition _seemed_ a just one; and, as hecould find no flaw in its fairness, he was constrained, thoughreluctantly, to accept it. The white hunter, therefore, shouldered histurkey, and trudged off homewards, leaving the poor Indian supperless inthe woods. "

"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Francois, "what a shallow Indian he must have beento be so easily outwitted!"

"Ah!" said Lucien, "he was not the only one of his race, who has beensimilarly deceived by white men. Many a _pewter_ dollar has been passedupon these simple sons of the forest, in exchange for their furs andpeltries. I have reason to suspect that one very rich fur-trader, nowdead, laid the foundation of his immense fortune in this way; but mysuspicions do not amount to positive proof, and therefore I do notassert it for a fact. Perhaps some historian may one day assail eventhe character of the _good_ Penn; who is said to have purchased from theIndians a territory of three _square miles_, but took care to have itmeasured off as _three miles square_! I hope the story is not a trueone. "

"Why, that, " said Francois, "is almost the same trick as Dido performedwith the bull's hide. "

"Yes, " replied his brother; "so you see that dishonesty belongsexclusively to no age or nation. It has existed in the past, and willcontinue to exist, until men, becoming more and more highly educated, will be moved by nobler ambition than the mere spirit of gain. Ibelieve there is such a time in the far future. "

The conversation was again directed to the subject of the vultures. These now formed a flock of at least two hundred; and others were stillarriving upon the ground. As fresh ones came, they would wheel aboutfor awhile in the air, and then drop down and perch themselves on thetrees and rocks. Some sat crouching with drooping wings, and headsdrawn in--so that their long naked necks were quite concealed undertheir ruff-like collars. Others stood erect, with both wings raisedfrom the body, half unfolded, and held "a-kimbo, " as eagles are oftenseen, and as they are sometimes represented upon coins and standards. It is supposed that both vultures and eagles spread their wings in thisfashion to cool themselves when they are too warm, and sun themselveswhen too cold--for they do so in cold, as well as warm weather; and inthis attitude they exhibit a singular and rather pleasing picture. 

Some of the vultures could be seen descending from the very highestregions of the air. They could be noted like little specks against theblue sky, gradually growing larger and larger, until their broad wingscast moving shadows upon the sunlit sward, as the birds floated spirallydownward. Others were observed approaching in a horizontal direction--some of them seeming no bigger than sparrows, as they first caught theeye upon the distant horizon. 

"What a distance some of them must have travelled!" remarked Francois;"and how do you think they know where to come? There was not one insight when we killed those big-horns. "

"They have been guided by their scent, of course, " replied Basil; "theyhave great power in that way. "

"Not so, brother, " interrupted Lucien; "that is one of the errors ofyour closet-naturalists--your Buffons and Cuviers--propagated by them, until it has become proverbial. Strange to say, it is altogethererroneous. It has been proved that vultures possess the sense of smellin a less degree even than most other creatures. Dogs and wolves farexcel them in this respect. "

"How, then, have they found this carrion, for instance?"

"By their sight--for that sense they possess in a high degree ofperfection. "

"But how can that be, Luce?" rejoined Basil. "See! yonder are somecoming from the eastward. Now, as the butte is between them and thebig-horn, how is it possible they could have seen it?"

"I do not say they have; but they have seen others, who have seenothers, who in their turn have seen others, who actually _have_ seen thecarrion. "

"Oh! I understand; you mean that some one or more have first spied it;and, while making towards it, have been observed by others at a greaterdistance; and those again who have followed them have been followed byothers still more distant, and so on. "

"Precisely so; and this at once accounts for the fabulous stories ofvultures scenting carrion at the distance of miles--none of whichstories are true, but have been propagated by men who, perhaps, neversaw a vulture in the air, but who, in order to make their books amusing, have readily adopted the exaggerated tales of every Munchausen theycould meet with. "

"Your theory is certainly the more probable one. "

"It is the true one. It has been proved to be so by numerousexperiments with vultures; all of which have gone to show, that thesebirds have anything but a keen sense of smell. On the contrary, it isremarkably weak; and I think it is well for them it is so, consideringthe sort of food they live upon. "

"This flock must have gathered from all parts, " remarked Francois; "wesee them coming in from every point of the compass. No doubt some ofthem have travelled fifty miles. "

"As likely an hundred, " rejoined Lucien. "Such a journey is a merebagatelle to them. Now, if I knew the precise moment at which thecarrion was discovered by the first one, I could tell how far each ofthe others had come--that is, each of them whose arrival we are nowwitnessing. "

"But how could you do that, brother?" demanded Basil and Francois, inastonishment; "pray tell us how?"

"I should make my calculation thus:--In the first place, they have allstarted _at the same time_. "

"At the same time!" interrupted Basil; "how can that be, if some of themwere an hundred miles off?"

"No matter what distance, " replied Lucien; "it is all the same. Theyhave all commenced their flight hither, not _exactly_, but _nearly_, atthe same moment. Is it not plain? These birds, while hunting for theirfood, sweep through the air in great circles. Each of these circlesoverlooks a large tract of the earth's surface below. Theircircumferences approach or intersect each other--so that, in fact, thewhole country is under a network of them. Now, as soon as one of thevultures, thus sailing about, discovers with far-seeing eye the carrionbelow, he immediately drops from his high orbit, and wings his waydownward. He is observed by that one circling nearest him; who, wellknowing the cause of the altered flight of his companion, at onceforsakes his own orbit and follows; and he, in his turn, is followed byanother; and so on to the end of the chain. "

"But how can one of them tell that the other is gone in pursuit ofprey?" inquired Francois, interrupting Lucien in his explanation. 

"Suppose you saw Basil at a great distance off on the prairie, could younot tell by his actions when he had started game, and was in pursuit ofit?"

"Oh! yes! I could easily. "

"Well, then, the vultures, who have far keener sight than you, understand each other's movements thoroughly--even to the shaking of afeather--so that they can easily tell when one of their number has agood dinner in sight. 

"I think I have shown, " continued Lucien, "that they all start within afew seconds of the same time; and as they fly in a nearly direct linetowards the object, if we knew the rate at which they go, it would onlyremain for us to mark the date of their arrival, to be able to tell howfar they had come. Of course it is supposed that we have already notedthe time when the first one came upon the spot. 

"If we suppose, " continued Lucien, as he pointed up to the vultures, "that the first of these has alighted here two hours ago, and we allowthem a flight of thirty miles an hour, we may then safely conclude thatsome of those now coming in have made a journey of sixty miles thismorning. What think you of my theory?"

"It is, to say the least of it, a curious one, brother, " replied Basil. 

"But what are they waiting for now?" demanded Francois; "why don't theyat once fall to, and enjoy it while it is fresh?"

Francois' interrogatory was a very natural one. Most of the vultures, instead of attacking the carrion, were, as we have already seen, sittingperched upon rocks and trees--some of them in listless attitudes, asthough they were not hungry, and did not care to eat. 

Basil proffered an explanation. 

"No doubt, " said he, "they are waiting until the flesh becomes putrid. It is said that they prefer it in that state. "

"And that, " remarked Lucien, "is another assertion that has nofoundation in fact. They do _not_ prefer it in that state. On thecontrary, it is certain that vultures like their food better when fresh, and eat it so when they can get it. "

"And what hinders them now?" inquired Francois. 

"The tough hide hinders them. These birds do not possess the greatmuscular power in their claws that eagles do, else you would soon seethe big-horn reduced to a skeleton. They are waiting until its skinbecomes more tender, through decomposition, so that they may be able totear it open. That is why they are waiting. "

Such was evidently the true explanation; for each of the new-comers wasseen to attack the carcass; and, after finding he could make nothing ofit, fly off and settle quietly down on the rocks or trees. 

As the boys watched them, however, some more eager than the resteffected an incision--at the spot where Basil's bullet had entered thebody of the animal--and were rapidly widening it. The others, perceiving this, began to fly toward the spot; and, in less than fiveminutes, the tree was black with the filthy birds, until they crowdedeach other upon the branches. Several perched upon the limbs and hornsof the animal itself, until there was not a space left for another tostand upon. But their united weight, combined with that of the carcass, was too much for the roots of the pine. A loud crash was heard, followed by the sharp rat-like squeaking of the vultures, as theyflapped hurriedly away; and as the broken tree bent downwards, the bodyof the big-horn was precipitated to the earth, and fell upon the rocksbelow!

There was a great commotion among the assembled birds; and the sound oftheir broad wings, hurriedly beating the air, could have been heard formiles off; but their fright was soon over, and they all settled downagain near the carrion. 

The accident was in their favour rather than otherwise. The alreadydecomposing body, by falling from such a vast height upon the sharprocks, was mangled, and the skin burst open! This the foul birds werenot slow in perceiving; and first one, and then another, flapped towardsit, and commenced their horrid meal. In a few moments they werecrowding over the body, hissing like geese, striking at each other withwings, beak, and claws, and altogether exhibiting such a scene ofravenous hunger and angry passion as would be difficult to portray. They soon got in among the entrails of the animal, and commenceddragging them forth. Sometimes two of them would seize a long string ofthese, and each swallowing from opposite ends, would meet each other inthe middle of the piece. Then would be witnessed a singular scene, asthe birds dragged one another over the ground, each trying to make theother disgorge his filthy morsel! The young hunters, amused by thesecurious episodes, agreed to remain and watch them for awhile; and withthis intent they dismounted from their horses, so as to relieve theanimals of their weight. 

A new object of interest now presented itself to their attention. Francois discovered it. Francois had been directing his eyes upward, watching the graceful motions of such of the vultures as were still inthe air. All at once he was heard to exclaim, --

"A _white_ buzzard! a _white_ buzzard!"

Lucien and Basil saw that Francois pointed to the sky overhead. Theyraised their eyes in that direction. There, sure enough, was a _whitebird_; but of what species neither of them could make out. It wasflying at a vast elevation--higher, apparently, than any of thebuzzards; but even at that great height it appeared larger than any ofthem. Like them, it seemed to sail about with great ease, as if the skywas its natural home. 

When first observed, it appeared about as large as a gull; and the boysmight have taken it for one--not knowing any other _white_ bird likelyto be flying about at such a height--but as there were several buzzardsnear it, and evidently _below_ it, and as these looked no bigger thanswallows, what must be its size? It was not only bigger than a buzzard, but, at least, three times the size of any one of them. Thus calculatedLucien, and his calculation was not far from the truth. 

The strange bird then could be no gull. What was it? A swan? No. Itsmode of flight answered that question at once. It bore no resemblancewhatever to the short rapid flapping of the swan, nor to the flight ofany water-bird. Was it a pelican? or perhaps a white ibis (_Tantalusalba_)? or the white egret heron (_Ardea egretta_)? No; it was none ofthese. The slow laborious flight of these great wading birds would havebeen at once recognised by any of the boys, who were accustomed to seethem often hovering over the bayous of Louisiana. But this bird flewdifferently from any of these. It used its wings more after the mannerof the buzzards themselves or the black vultures; but as the boys couldthink of no _white_ bird of similar flight, they were puzzled as to whatit might be. Its size and mode of flying would have led them to believeit was an eagle; but its colour forbade this supposition. There were nowhite eagles, that ever they had heard of. 

I have said that, when first seen by Francois, the strange bird appearedabout the size of a gull; but as the young hunters stood gazing up atit, they saw that it was gradually becoming larger and larger. Theyknew from this that it was descending towards the earth, and, to allappearance, directly over the spot occupied by themselves and thevultures. As they had all three grown very curious to know what sort ofa creature it might be, they were expressing their hopes that it wouldcontinue its descent. They knew that _it_ must have seen _them_already; and it would, therefore, be useless for them to attemptconcealing themselves. In fact, there was no cover for them, had theywished to do so. 

As they stood watching and waiting, an exclamation, uttered by all threeat the same moment, announced that _another white bird_ was in sight!It was still high up, like a spot of snow upon the sky; but it, too, wasmaking downward, in the track of the former, and appeared to be of thesame species. This soon became evident; for the one last seen, descending more vertically, soon overtook the other; and both togethercontinued to sail downward upon a spiral curve. 

In a few moments they had arrived within two hundred yards of the earth;and now they circled slowly around, looking down as they flew. 

They were directly over the spot occupied by the vultures; and as theday was one of the brightest, the boys had an opportunity of beholdingtwo of the most beautiful birds they had ever seen. They were notentirely white--although, in looking at them from below, they appearedso; but as, in sailing round the circle, they sometimes held themselvessideways in the air, their backs at intervals could be seen distinctly. It was then noticed that the upper part of their bodies was of a richcream colour, while their wings above--both plumes and coverts--were ofa glossy brown. Their tails were tipped with black; but the whole ofthe under part of their bodies was of a pure milk-like white. But themost singular appearance about these birds was presented on their headsand necks. These were entirely naked of feathers as far down as theshoulders--where the neck was encircled by a large ruff that looked likea tippet--and the naked skin of both head and neck exhibited the mostbrilliant colours of orange and red. These colours were not mixed normottled together; but each belonged to separate parts of the membrane, forming distinct and regular figures--according to the manner in whichthe cartilaginous covering is itself most singularly divided. Theirbeaks were orange-red; and over their bases grew crest-likeprotuberances, like the comb of a cock. Their eyes had dark pupils andwhite irides, encircled by rings of a deep red colour; and, in short, the whole appearance of these beautiful creatures was such that, likethe peacock, when once seen, they could never be forgotten. 

"I have never seen one of them before, " remarked Lucien, "but I have nodifficulty in telling what they are. "

"What?" inquired Basil and Francois, impatiently. 

"_King-vultures_. "

As Lucien said this, the birds, that did not seem to regard the presenceof the party, swooped suddenly down towards the carrion. The boysfollowed them with their eyes--curious to witness what effect theirarrival would have upon the buzzards and black vultures. To thesurprise of all, not one of the latter was now to be seen near thecarcass! While the attention of the party had been directed to theking-vultures, the others had been regarding them as well; and, knowingfrom experience what these great birds were, both buzzards and blackvultures had scattered precipitately, and now sat upon the rocks at arespectful distance!

The king-vultures, without seeming to heed their presence, hopped up tothe carrion, and commenced tearing it with their beaks. In a fewminutes these creatures, that had appeared so clean and beautiful--forthe king-vultures are as proud of their plumage as peacocks, and usuallykeep it in the best order--exhibited a picture of filth that wasdisgusting to look upon. The brilliant hue of their heads and necks waschanged into a dark blood colour; and their white breasts became dappledwith gore. Their vulturous appetites rendered them regardless of allelse. 

"Shall we fire, and kill one?" asked Francois. 

"No, " said Lucien, "it is not right to deprive the poor creatures oflife. If you wish to get a nearer view of them, have patience, and yourwish may be gratified without the expenditure of powder and lead. "

What Lucien said proved correct. At the end of half an hour or so, thebirds appeared to have eaten as much as they could get into theirstomachs; and commenced stalking over the ground with a heavy sluggishgait. The boys, who had waited patiently, now ran forward; and, findingthat the vultures were unable to rise into the air, after a chase--inwhich Marengo took a prominent part--secured them both. 

But they did not hold them long; for the moment that Francois, who wasthe most eager to seize them, laid his hands upon one, he let it goagain with an exclamation of disgust; and ran faster from the vulture, than the latter could run from him!

The fetid odour of the creatures--which was quite as strong as that ofthe carrion itself--was too much for the olfactory nerves of our heroes;and they were all three glad enough to let the king-vultures off withouta second encounter. 

As they returned to their horses, they observed that the buzzards andblack vultures were once more collecting about the remains of thebig-horn. They had been joined by several prairie-wolves; and thesewere snarling and snapping--now driving off the birds, and now receivinga blow from the long wings of the latter, that caused them to growl morefiercely than ever. Our adventurers did not wait for the _finale_ ofthis hideous scene; but remounting, once more headed their horses to theprairie. 

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. 

MORE TALK ABOUT THE VULTURES. 

They conversed about the vultures, as they rode away from the butte. The naturalist of the party had much to say of these picturesque birds;and the curiosity of Basil and Francois had been excited by theappearance of a species new to them--the king himself. 

"With regard to the vultures, " observed Lucien, "the study of theirnatural history has been considerably impeded by the closet-naturalists, and particularly by the Frenchmen--who are fonder than all others ofmaking a parade of science, by the absurd multiplication of genera andspecies. This, in the absence of any real knowledge of the habits ofthe animals, gives them an opportunity of adding something to what hasbeen already said; and leaves the reader under the impression that theselearned anatomists know all about the thing; and that is what suchgentlemen desire, and nothing more. 

"There are not over two dozen species of vultures in the world; and yetthe French naturalists make almost as many genera of them, multiplyinghigh-sounding names to such an extent, that the mind of the student isquite bewildered with what would otherwise prove a most simple study. 

"All the vultures are so similar in their _physiognomy_ and habits, thatthey might be treated as one genus. Indeed, it would not lead to greatconfusion in ornithological science, if they were generically classedwith the eagles--as both kinds have many points of similitude. Thevultures often kill their prey as eagles do; and it is certain that theydo _not_ prefer it in a putrid state. The eagles do not always killtheir prey, and many of them eat carrion. Some of the vultures--such asthe lammergeyer--have almost all the habits of the eagle. Thelammergeyer always kills what he eats, unless when pressed by hunger;and there is a singular fact in relation to the food of this bird, --heprefers certain parts of the bones of animals to their flesh!"

It is somewhat strange that the boy hunter, Lucien, should have knownthis "fact, " as I believe it is not in possession of the naturalists. I, myself, was made acquainted with it by one of the "feeders" of thesuperb collection in Regent's Park--who had observed this propensity forbone-eating in a young African lammergeyer. He had observed also thatthe bird was always healthier, and in better spirits, on the days whenhe was indulged in his favourite osseous diet. These men usually knowmore of natural history than the catalogue-makers and teeth-measurers ofthe museum and the closet. 

"Perhaps, " continued Lucien, "one of the most essential points ofdifference between the vulture and eagle lies in the claws. The clawsof the vultures are less developed, and their limbs want the muscularpower that those of eagles possess. Hence the former are less able tokill a living animal, or tear the carcass of a dead one. They areunable, also, to raise a large prey in their claws; and the stories ofvultures carrying off deer, and full-grown sheep, are mere fables. Eventhe condor--the largest of the species known--cannot lift into the air aweight of more than ten pounds. A deer of that weight would be rather asmall one, I fancy. Most of the wonderful stories about the condor werepropagated by the discoverers and conquerors of Spanish America; who, ifthey were great conquerors, were also the greatest braggarts the worldever saw. The books they have left behind them fully prove myassertion; and I believe that their accounts of the Mexican and Peruviannations, whom they subdued, are not a whit less exaggerated than theirstories about the condor. Three centuries could not have so completelyswept away the vestiges of such a civilisation as they describe--leavingscarcely a trace of it to attest the truth of their assertions. It istrue, that in these countries are to be found monuments of a high stateof civilisation; but these were in ruins long previous to the discoveryof the Spaniards; and the feeble races who submitted so easily to thelatter, knew no more about the builders of these monuments than we do. The same vestiges of a civilised people are found in the deserts ofNorth America; and yet the Spanish writers can tell nothing of them, farther than that they existed at the period of the discovery just asthey are now. "

"How many kinds of vultures are there in America?" inquired Francois, whose mind ran more upon the present than the past; and who, as we havealready hinted, was a great boy for birds. 

"There are five species well-known, " replied Lucien; "and these are sodifferent from each other that there is no difficulty in distinguishingthem. These species form two genera--_Sarco ramphus_ and _Cathartes_. The _Sarcoramphs_ have a fleshy protuberance over the beak--hence thegeneric name, which is a compound of two Greek words, signifying_flesh_, and _beak_ or _bill_. The _Cathartes_, or `purging-vultures, 'derive their name from a singular habit--that of throwing up their foodagain, not only when feeding their young, but also when providing forone another during the period of incubation. 

"The condor is a true _Sarcoramph_--in fact, one of the most markedfeatures of this bird is the fleshy cartilaginous crest that surmountshis head and part of his beak. This, however, is only found upon themales, as the female birds are not crested in a similar manner. Thecondor, when in full plumage, might be called a black-and-white bird. His body underneath, his tail, shoulders, and the butts as well as theouter margins of his wings, are all of a dark, nearly black, colour; buthis wings, when closed, give him a large space of greyish white from theback to the tail. The downy ruff around the breast and neck ismilk-white, and the naked wrinkled skin of the neck and head is of ablackish red or claret colour, while the legs are ashy blue. It is onlywhen full-grown--nearly three years old--that the condor obtains thesecolours; and up to that time he is without the white collar around hisneck. The young birds, for many months after they are hatched, have nofeathers, but a soft thick down, like young goslings or cygnets; andeven at two years of age their colour is not black and white, but adirty, brownish black. 

"The full-grown condor usually measures about eight feet from tip to tipof his wings; but there can be no question that specimens exist, andhave been seen by truthful travellers, that measured fourteen feet andsome inches!

"The condor, like other vultures, feeds principally upon carrion; but, when pressed with hunger, he will kill sheep, lambs, vicunas, younglamas, deer, and other animals. The larger kinds he can master, byattacking their eyes with his powerful beak--which is his principalweapon. That he can kill boys of sixteen years old, as Garcilaso de laVega asserts, is, like many other statements of that celebrated author, simply untrue; but that he frequently attacks, and, according to theIndians, sometimes _puts to death_ little children, is probable enough. If he can kill full-grown sheep or vicunas, there is nothing remarkableabout his doing the same for a child five or six years of age; and, indeed, it is certain that such instances have occurred. 

"Almost any eagles can do as much, and would, provided they were hungry, and children were left exposed in the neighbourhood of their haunts. The condor, however, is one of the most ravenous of his species. One ina state of captivity has been known to eat eighteen pounds of flesh in asingle day! But that this bird can raise into the air with his claws, and carry off large animals, such as deer and sheep, as asserted byAcosta, Desmarchais, and other French and Spanish writers, is altogetherfabulous. 

"The condor, unlike the vultures of most countries, is not under theprotection of the law. His destructive habits among the lambs, andyoung lamas and alpacas, render him an object to be persecuted ratherthan protected. He is, therefore, either killed or captured, wheneveran opportunity offers. There can be but little use made either of hisflesh or his feathers; but as he is an object of curiosity, he is oftenkept as a pet about the houses of the Chilians and Peruvians. Live onesare frequently to be seen in the markets of Valparaiso, and other SouthAmerican cities. 

"The natives who hunt the condor have various ways of capturing him. Sometimes they lie in wait near a carcass, and shoot the bird when italights; but it is very difficult to kill them in this way, on accountof their strong thick feathers, as well as the tenacity of life whichthey possess: it can only be done when the shot takes effect in a vitalpart. This method, therefore, is not much practised. A second plan is, to wait until the condor has gorged himself to repletion, when, likemost other vultures, he is unable to fly for some time after. Thehunters then gallop up, and lasso him from their horses; or impede hisflight by flinging the `bolas' around his legs. The `bolas' are thongsof leather, with leaden balls at each end; and these, when adroitlythrown, twine themselves round the shanks of the condor, and prevent hisescape. A third mode is still a surer one. The hunters build a largepenn, in which they place a quantity of carrion. The palisades thatinclose this penn are made so high, that, when the bird has gorgedhimself, he is unable either to rise into the air or get out of theenclosure in any way; and he is then overtaken and captured, or beatento death with clubs. 

"The Indians kill the condor by stones, projected from slings to a greatdistance--a species of weapon which these people use with muchdexterity. 

"Condors are taken alive in traps and snares; but there is an excellentand somewhat curious method of capturing them alive, sometimes employedby the Indians of the Sierras. It is this:--The hunter provides himselfwith the skin of some animal, such as an ox or horse, freshly taken off, and with a piece of the flesh adhering to it. With this he proceeds tosome open place, where the condors, wheeling high in the air above, mayreadily see him. Having chosen a spot, he crouches down upon theground, and draws the skin over him, with the fleshy side turned upward. In this situation he remains; but not long, until some one of thecondors, with his far-piercing glance, espies the ensanguined object, and comes swooping downward. The bird, having no suspicion, hops boldlyupon the hide; and commences tearing at the piece of flesh. The hunter, underneath, now cautiously feels for one of its legs; and having assuredhimself of this, grasps it firmly, folding the foot of the bird in thesoft loose flaps of the hide. Having already provided himself with along rope, he adroitly nooses it around the ankle; and, taking the otherend in his hand, he now appears from under the skin, and shows himselfto his astonished captive. Of course, during the operation of`tethering, ' the condor flaps and struggles with all his might; and wereit not for the hide which protects the hunter, the latter would be veryapt to come off with the loss of an eye, or be otherwise dreadfully tornby the powerful beak of the bird. When the hunter has fairly securedhis prize, he passes a leathern thong through its nostrils, and knottingit firmly, leads the condor off in triumph. In this same manner thebird is kept chained, so long as he is wanted. With the string throughhis nostrils, and fastened by the other end to a picket-pin in theground, the captive can walk about freely within the area of a circle. Sometimes forgetting that he is chained, he attempts to fly off; but, onreaching the end of his string, the sudden jerk brings him to the groundagain; and he invariably falls upon his head!"

"But how is it, " inquired Francois, "since the condors are hunted inthis way, and so easily captured, that they are not long sinceexterminated? They are so large, that any one can see them at a greatdistance; and they can be easily approached, I believe; yet there arestill great flocks of them--are there not?"

"You are quite right, " answered Lucien; "they are still numerous, bothin the Andes of Chili and Peru. I think I can explain this. It isbecause they have a safe place, not only to breed but to retire to, whenever they feel inclined. Numerous peaks of the Andes, where thesebirds dwell, shoot up far above the line of perpetual snow. Away up onthese summits the condor breeds, among naked rocks where there is novegetation. No one ever thinks of ascending them; and, indeed, many ofthese summits are inaccessible to the human foot. Not even animals ofany species are found there, nor birds--except the condor himself. Heis the sole lord of that region. Therefore, unlike most othercreatures, these birds have a retreat where no enemy can come near them, and where they may bring forth their young, and rear them in perfectsecurity. Still more, they can go to rest at night without fear ofbeing disturbed, unless by the crash of the falling avalanche, or theroar of the loud thunder that often reverberates through these Alpineregions. But the condor is not in the least afraid of these noises; andhe heeds them not, but sleeps securely, even while the red lightning isplaying around his eyrie. 

"Now, it is very evident that birds, or any other wild animals, possessing a secure place, both to bring forth their young or escape toin time of danger, will not easily be extirpated. It is because theirplaces of breeding and retreat are accessible--not only to man but tohosts of other enemies--that such creatures as eagles and the like areso scarce. Not so with the condor. His race can never become extinctso long as the Andes exist; and that is likely to be for a good longperiod, I fancy. "

"What sort of nests do they build?" inquired Francois. 

"They do not build nests, " replied Lucien, "they choose a cavity in therocks, or in the soil around them, where they lay two large white ovaleggs, and hatch them just as other vultures do. Strange to say, verylittle is known of their mode of life in their elevated haunts; but thisis because the natives of the Sierras rarely venture up to the highregions where the condors dwell. All they know of them is what theysee, when these great birds descend upon the plateaux, or inhabitedmountain-valleys, in search of food--which they do only in the morningsand evenings. During mid-day the condor usually perches upon some highrock, and there goes to sleep. When pressed by hunger, they sometimesextend their range down to the hot coast lands of the Pacific Ocean; butthey are evidently birds that can bear cold much better than heat. 

"The _King-vulture_, " continued Lucien, "is the next species that claimsour attention. He is also a Sarcoramph (_Sarcoramphus Papa_), and theonly one of that genus besides the condor. He is unlike the condor inmany respects. He is not much of a mountain bird, but prefers the lowsavannas and open plains. He prefers heat to cold, and he is rarely metwith outside the tropics, although he makes occasional visits to thepeninsula of Florida and the northern plains of Mexico; but in theseplaces he is only a rare and migratory bird. He feeds principally uponcarrion, and dead fish that have been left by the drying-up of ponds andlakes; but he will also kill and eat serpents, lizards, and smallmammiferous animals. Bartram states that in Florida he only appearsafter the savannas have been on fire, when he is seen to pass over theground amidst the black ashes, hunting for and devouring the snakes andlizards that have been killed by the fire. Bartram, therefore, infersthat his food must consist altogether of _roasted_ reptiles; but as itwould be sometimes difficult for him to procure a supply of theseready-cooked, I think we may safely conclude that he does not object toeating them _raw_. The fanciful ideas of these old naturalists aresometimes very amusing from their very absurdity. 

"The king-vultures live in pairs as eagles do--though they are oftenseen in flocks, when a carcass or some other object has brought themtogether. 

"This bird has been called the `painted' vulture on account of thebrilliant colours upon his head and neck, which do, in fact, present theappearance of the most vivid painting. He derives his name of a`King-vulture, ' not from the possession of any noble qualities, but fromthe manner in which he tyrannises over the _common_ vultures (_aura_ and_atratus_), keeping them from their food until he has gorged himselfwith the choicest morsels. In this sense the name is most appropriate;as such conduct presents a striking analogy to that of most human kings, towards the _common_ people. 

"Next to the condor in size, " continued the naturalist, "and, perhaps, quite equal to him, is the great _Californian vulture_--the `condor ofthe north. ' He is classed among the purging-vultures (_CathartesCalifornianus_). This bird may be called black, as he is nearly of thathue all over the body; although some of the secondary wing feathers arewhite at the tips, and the coverts are brown. Black, however, is theprevailing colour of the bird. His naked head and neck is reddish; buthe wants the crest or comb, which the condors and king-vultures have. On the posterior part of his neck, long lance-shaped feathers form asort of ruff or collar, as in other birds of this kind. 

"The Californian vulture derives his name from the country which heinhabits--the great chain of the Californian mountains--the SierraNevada--which extends almost without interruption through twenty degreesof latitude. That he sometimes visits the Rocky Mountains, and theirkindred the Cordilleras of the Sierra Madre in Mexico, there can belittle doubt. A large bird occasionally seen among these mountains, andpronounced to be the condor, is far more likely to have been theCalifornian vulture. As far as size is concerned, this mistake mighteasily be made, for the latter bird is nearly, if not quite, as large asthe former. A specimen of the Californian vulture has been measured, which proved to be four feet eight inches in length, and nine feet eightinches between the tips of the wings! Now, this is actually larger thanthe average size of the condors; and it is not improbable, therefore, that individuals of the Californian species may yet be found quite equalto the largest of the South American birds. 

"The Californian vulture has been seen as far north as the thirty-ninthparallel of latitude. He is common in some parts of Oregon, where hemakes his nest in the tops of the tallest trees, constructing it ofcoarse thorny twigs and brambles, somewhat after the manner of eagles. As many of the great spruce and pine-trees of Oregon and California arethree hundred feet in height, and twenty feet thick at the base, thisvulture is almost as secure among their tops as the condor on hismountain summit; but to render himself doubly safe, he always selectssuch trees as overhang inaccessible cliffs or rapid rivers. The femalelays only two eggs, which are nearly jet-black, and as large as those ofa goose; and the young, like those of the condor, are for many weekscovered with down instead of feathers. Like other vultures, the food ofthis species is carrion or dead fish; but he will follow after woundeddeer and other animals, and commence devouring them as soon as they havedropped; and a score of these birds will devour the carcass of a deer, or even of a horse or mule, in about one hour's time, leaving nothingbut a well-cleaned skeleton! While eating, they are strong enough andbold enough to keep at a distance wolves, dogs, and all such animals asmay attempt to share with them. 

"Perhaps no bird of the vulture species is so shy and wary as this one. Except when he is gorged with eating, he will never allow the hunter toapproach within shot; and even then, his thick heavy plumage renders himmost difficult to be killed. His wings are full and long, and hisflight is most graceful and easy, not unlike that of his congener theturkey-buzzard. 

"I have said, " continued Lucien, "that naturalists make out five speciesof American vultures. The remaining two, the turkey-buzzard and blackvulture, or, as he is sometimes called, the `carrion-crow, ' we havealready had before us; but, I believe, there are more than five specieson the continent of America. There is a bird in Guayana called the`gavilucho, ' which I believe to be a vulture differing from all these;and, moreover, I do not think that the `red-headed gallinazo' of SouthAmerica is the same as the turkey-buzzard of the north. He is, moreprobably, a distinct species of _cathartes_; for, although he resemblesthe turkey-buzzard in shape and size, his plumage appears to me of apurer black, and the skin of his head, neck, and legs, of a much morevivid red--having an appearance as if these parts had been painted. Ithink naturalists will yet discover, that besides the great Californianvulture, there are three if not _four_ species of the smaller_cathartes_. "

So much for the vultures of America. 

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE. 

SUPPING UPON A SKELETON. 

Our young travellers had now arrived upon the great buffalo-path. Without halting, they turned their horses to the right, and followed thetrail. It led directly towards the north, and they had no difficulty infollowing it, as the prairie, for a tract of miles in width, was cut upby the hoofs of the animals; and, in some parts, where the ground wassofter and more loamy, the surface presented the appearance of havingbeen turned up by the plough! At other places the hard green turf hadresisted the hoof, but even there the grass was so beaten down, that thetrail was a perfectly plain one. Without troubling themselves about thedirection, therefore, the little party rode briskly forward, full ofhope that they would soon overtake the buffaloes. But their hopes werenot so soon to be realised. These animals had gone upon their annualmigration to the north; and as they were keeping almost continually uponthe run--scarcely stopping to rest or pasture themselves--it would be noeasy matter to come up with them. At night our travellers were obligedto diverge from the trail, in order to get grass for their horses; for, upon a belt of at least four miles in width which the buffaloes hadpassed over, not a blade of grass was left standing. 

But another want now began to be felt by the party--one that filled themwith serious apprehensions. At the end of the second day their stock ofdried bear's meat gave out--not an ounce of it was left--and they laydown upon the prairie supperless and hungry. What rendered the prospectstill more disheartening, they were passing through a region entirelydestitute of game--where no animal is ever seen except the buffaloesthemselves, an occasional antelope, or the ever-present prairie-wolf. It was a region essentially _desert_ in its character; although the dryplains were covered with a sward of the famous "buffalo-grass"(_Sesleria dactyloides_), which forms the favourite pasture of thesewild cattle. As for the antelopes, they love these desert solitudes; astheir free open range affords them an opportunity, from their superiorfleetness, of escaping from every enemy. But in these parts they aremore than usually shy; and although several of them were seen on theway, our hunters vainly endeavoured to approach within shooting distanceof them. Wolves they could have shot; but they were not as yet preparedto satisfy their hunger upon the flesh of these filthy, fox-like, creatures. That large troops of wolves had gone forward, hanging afterthe great herd, was evident. Every now and then our hunters saw proofof this, in the clean-picked skeletons of buffaloes that lay along thepath. These they knew were such as had got disabled and separated fromthe drove; for numerous accidents of this kind--owing to the bullsgoring one another, or being enfeebled by age and disease--take placeduring the migration of the vast herds. Were it not so, the wolveswould never think of following them as they do; for a buffalo in goodhealth can scatter a whole pack of these cowardly, skulking jackals. But the average accidents which occur when such numbers of buffaloes aretogether--the prospect of old ones, weak and weary, being separated fromtheir companions--of numbers getting mired upon the banks of some muddyriver, or drowned in crossing it--of cows heavy with calf fallingbehind, or with calves already on the hoof, loitering for the purpose ofsuckling them--the prospect of these chances, combined with the stillmore enticing hope that the buffaloes will be attacked by a party ofIndian hunters, often carries a pack of wolves for hundreds of milesacross the prairie on the heels of a great herd. In fact, some of thesewolves, both of the white and prairie species, seem to have no fixedplace of abode; but hang upon the skirts of the buffalo "gangs"throughout all their extended migrations. 

I have said that, upon the second night after leaving the butte, ourtravellers went to sleep supperless. On the third day, they began tofeel the cravings of hunger in good earnest. Neither beast nor birdappeared in sight upon the wild desert plains that stretched inimitablyaround them. About noon, as they were riding through a thicket of thewild sage (_Artemisia tridentata_), a brace of those singular birds, sage-cocks or prairie-grouse (_Tetrao urophasianus_), the largest of allthe grouse family, whirred up before the heads of their horses. Francois, with his ever-ready gun, fired at them, but they were toodistant for the shot; and the next moment both disappeared over theswells of the prairie. The sight only tantalised the unsuccessfulhunters, and added to the hungry craving of appetites already sharpalmost beyond endurance. They felt that there was no chance of gettinganything to eat, before they should come up with the buffaloes. Thatwas their only hope; and they spurred their horses afresh, and rode onas fast as the animals could travel. 

Towards night their hunger had increased to a painful degree; and theeyes of all wandered occasionally upon Jeanette and the dog Marengo. They began to contemplate the necessity of sacrificing one or other ofthese animals. It would be a sad alternative--as both the mule and thedog were looked upon more in the light of companions than slaves. Bothhad done good service during the expedition. But for Marengo, Francoismight never have been found; and Jeanette, in addition to havingsatisfactorily accomplished the duty assigned to her, had saved themfrom an encounter with one of the cougars. But all these services mustnow be forgotten, when starvation was the alternative; and ouradventurers began to talk seriously about which of these two faithfulservants should be made the first victim. Neither was fat. Jeanettehad never been so in all her life--at least so long as her presentowners had been acquainted with her--and Marengo had grown gaunt andbony upon this lengthened expedition. Jeanette could not be otherwisethan tough, and Marengo looked anything but tender. So far as that wasconcerned, it might be a toss-up which of them was first "put to theknife. "

But other considerations had their weight with the boys. Basil dislikedparting with his hound, that for many years had been a great favourite, and the dog was endeared to all from late circumstances. His conduct atthe time when Francois was lost--his usefulness as a sentinel at many alonely camp-fire--and his valuable services rendered upon otheroccasions, had fixed him firmly in the affections of his young masters;and they would have endured hunger to the utmost extremity rather thansacrifice him. Jeanette, on the other hand, was but a mule--a selfish, wicked, kicking mule. This was true; but to them she had been a usefulanimal, and would not have kicked any one of them, although she wouldhave kicked all the world besides. Still the feeling with whichJeanette was regarded was more a feeling of gratitude than of love. Itwas far different from the sentiment held towards Marengo. 

With these considerations passing through the minds of our hungryhunters, it is easy to guess the result of their deliberations. Thesentence was at length pronounced--a unanimous one--_Jeanette must die_!

Poor old Jeanette! She little knew what they were talking about. Shelittle thought that her days were about being numbered--that the timewas nigh when she should carry a pack no more. She little expected thatshe was about to kick up her heels upon the prairie for the last time--that in a few hours her life-blood would be let forth--and her old ribsbe roasting and sputtering over a camp-fire!

Yes, it was decreed that Jeanette should die! but when and where thisterrible tragedy was to take place, was not yet determined upon. Attheir first halting-place, of course; but where was that to be? for, after having resolved upon the death of Jeanette, they travelled on formiles without arriving at any place where it would be possible to haltfor the night! No water appeared, and without water they could not withsafety encamp. Early in the afternoon they had entered upon a strangetract, over which the road of the buffaloes led them. It was a part ofthe prairie--a series of low hills composed of pure gypsum. Theseextended around them, as far as our travellers could see, presenting onall sides a picture of alabaster whiteness. Neither plant, nor tree, nor any sign of vegetable life relieved the monotonous uniformity of thelandscape. Turn to what side they might, their eyes were met by thelime-like surface of hill and dale, dazzling the sight with its milkywhiteness. The sun, reflected upward, pierced their bodies, and parchedthem with thirst. They breathed a hot atmosphere filled with gypsumdust, that by the trampling of the buffalo herd had been reduced to animpalpable powder, and floated about suspended in the air. This addedto the agony of their thirst; and it was difficult for them to tellwhether they suffered most from the want of food, or the want of water!

How far might this singular tract extend? They could form no conjectureas to the distance. Lucien had heard that such formations sometimesstretched for many miles. If so, they might never be able to cross it--thirsty and exhausted as both they and the animals were--for, eager tocome up with the buffalo, they had rested but very little during theprevious days. They began to labour under serious apprehensions. Theappetite of thirst became stronger than that of hunger--its cravingsmore difficult to be endured. 

Guided by the buffalo-tracks, they rode gloomily on, in the midst of awhite cloud that enveloped them throughout all that fearful journey. They had no difficulty in following the trail. The heavy dust showedwhere the drove had passed; and every here and there great circularhollows showed where the buffaloes had "wallowed. " The hope that theseanimals, guided by their usual instincts, had gone in the direction ofwater, to some degree sustained our travellers in their onward struggle. 

The shades of evening were closing over the earth, and the alabasterhills were assuming an ashy blue colour, when the little cavalcadeemerged from the dusty ravines of gypsum, and once more trod the greenprairie. The country before them was still rolling, but they kept onalong the well marked trail--their animals stepping more freely, as ifinspired with new hope at the change which had taken place upon thesurface. There was something in the appearance of the landscape aheadthat led to the belief that water was not far distant; and, sure enough, it was not; for, on mounting the crest of a prairie-swell, over whichran the buffalo-trail, a small rivulet was espied in the glen below. Atthe sight, Jeanette, as well as the three horses, pricked up their ears;and, making an effort to trot, were soon at the bottom of the hill, andup to their knees in the water. 

It was fortunate for them that it proved a freshwater stream. Had itbeen a salt one--and such are very common in the neighbourhood of thesegypsum formations--they could never have gone farther. They would allhave perished upon its banks. 

But it was fresh water--cool and fresh--and our travellers first drankof it, and then bathed themselves in its flood, until they had washedtheir bodies free from the annoying gypsum dust. After this they setabout making some arrangements for their night bivouac. 

The copious draughts of water, which all of them had taken, in somemeasure relieved them from the painful sensations of hunger they hadexperienced; and they began to consider whether they might not be ableto give Jeanette a respite--at least until the morning. Whiledeliberating upon this, they noticed that Marengo had strayed away fromthem. They looked around, wondering what had become of him, or where hecould have gone. They espied the hound at some distance up the stream, and apparently engaged with some object upon the bank. They all rantowards him. On arriving near the spot, they perceived that it was theskeleton of a large buffalo with which the dog was engaged. The poorbrute, hungry as he was, could do but little else than lick it; for thewolves had not left as much meat upon it as would have filled thesmallest of his teeth! Even the pieces of torn skin that lay around hadbeen chewed dry by these ravenous animals; and the bones appeared asfree from flesh as if they had been scraped by a knife. Had ananatomist been ordered to prepare the skeleton for a museum, he couldnot have cleaned it more effectually. 

It was not very cheering to contemplate this useless skeleton; and theboys were about returning to their camping-place, when the idea occurredto Lucien that the bones might, at least, yield a _soup_. He, ofcourse, communicated this idea to the others, and it was at once agreedthat they should boil them and try. It was quite a happy thought. Nodoubt the bones, which were fresh, and not yet dry, would make anexcellent soup; and all three at once set about preparing to cook it. Francois gathered sage-bushes to kindle a fire with, while Basil gothold of Lucien's little hatchet, and set to work to separate the ribsand joints of the skeleton. Lucien, seeing that there were severalkinds of plants growing on the margin of the rivulet, went down toexamine them--in hopes that he might find the wild onion or theprairie-turnip among them, or perhaps some other root or vegetable thatmight help to enrich their pottage. 

While all three were engaged in their separate duties, a loudexclamation from Basil drew the attention of his brothers. It was ashout of joy, followed by a wild laugh, like the laugh of a maniac!

Francois and Lucien looked up in affright--thinking that somethingdisagreeable had happened--for they could not understand why Basilshould be laughing so loudly at such a time, and under such gloomycircumstances. 

As they looked at him he still continued to laugh, waving the hatchetaround his head as if in triumph. 

"Come here, brothers!" shouted he; "come here! Ha! ha! ha! Here's asupper for three hungry individuals! Ha! ha! ha! What shallow fellowswe are, to be sure! Why, we are as stupid as the donkey that preferredeating the hay with the bread and butter beside him. Look here! andhere! and there! There's a supper for you. Ha! ha! ha!"

Lucien and Francois had now arrived upon the ground; and seeing Basilpoint to the great joints of the buffalo, and turn them over and over, at once understood the cause of his mirth. _These joints were full ofmarrow_!

"Pounds of it, " continued Basil; "the very tit-bits of the buffalo--enough to make suppers for a dozen of us; and yet we were going to sleepsupperless, or the next thing to it--going to starve in the midst ofplenty! And we have been travelling among such treasures for three dayspast! Why, we deserve to starve for being so simple. But come, brothers! help me to carry these great joints to the fire--I'll show youhow to cook a supper. "

There are eight marrow-bones in the buffalo, containing several poundsof this substance. As Basil had heard from the old hunters, it isesteemed the most delicious part of the animal; and is rarely leftbehind when a buffalo has been killed. The best method of preparing itis by simply _roasting it in the bone_; although the Indians andtrappers often eat it raw. The stomachs of our young hunters were notstrong enough for this; and a couple of the shank-bones were thrown intothe fire, and covered over with red cinders. 

In due time the marrow was supposed to be sufficiently _baked_; and thebones having been cracked by Lucien's hatchet, yielded up their savourystore--which all three ate with a great relish. A cup of cool waterwashed it down; and around the camp-fire of the boy hunters thirst andhunger were now contemplated only as things of the past. Jeanette was_respited_, without one dissentient voice. 

Our adventurers were surrounded once more with the cheerful atmosphereof hope. There was still enough of marrow in the remaining bones tolast them for two days at the least; for this marrow is a mostnourishing food. Moreover, by following the buffalo-trail, they wouldbe likely to fall in with other skeletons of these animals; and allapprehensions on the score of food now vanished from their minds. Another fact, which the skeleton of the buffalo revealed to them, addedto their joyful anticipations. They had observed on first going up toit--that the _bones were still fresh_! The wolves had not been longgone from it. It could not have been a long time killed. All thisshowed, that the buffaloes themselves had but very recently passed overthe ground, and could not be far distant. These were cheering thoughts;and for a while the young hunters sat around the sage-fire, revolvingthem in their minds, and conversing upon them. Then, having offeredthanks to that Being who had so many times miraculously preserved them, they rolled themselves in their blankets, and, notwithstanding a heavyshower of rain that fell, once more found the solace of a good night'ssleep. 

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. 

THE BATTLE OF THE BULLS. 

Next morning the boy hunters were up and stirring at the "peep of day. "They felt refreshed and cheerful. So did their animals, for the grasswas good. Jeanette was frisking about on her trail-rope andendeavouring to reach "Le Chat, " whom she would have kicked and bittento a certainty, but that the lasso-tether restrained her. Jeanettelittle dreamt how near she had been to her last kick. Had she knownthat, it is probable she would have carried herself with more sobriety, not knowing but that a similar necessity might occur again. ButJeanette knew nothing of it; and, having eaten well and drunkplentifully, she was as frisky as a kitten. 

A fire was kindled, and a fresh "marrow-bone" steamed and sputteredamong the blazing branches of the sage. This was soon drawn forthagain, cracked, and its rich contents rifled and eaten. The remainingjoints were packed upon Jeanette; the horses were saddled, the huntersleaped into their seats, and rode joyfully off upon the trail. 

The country over which they now travelled was what is termed a "rollingprairie"--that is, a country without trees, but nevertheless, far frombeing level. The prairie is not always a _level plain_, as some peopleimagine. On the contrary, it is often of very uneven surface, containing high hills and deep valleys. The word "prairie" meansproperly an open level country, though it is not necessary that itshould be a _dead horizontal_ level, to entitle it to the name. It maycontain hills, valleys, and long ridges. It is not necessary eitherthat it should be entirely destitute of trees; for there are the "timberprairies, " where trees grow in "mottes" or groves, sometimes termedislands--from their resemblance to wooded islands in the sea. The"prairie" is a term used to distinguish those vast meadow-like tracts ofthe earth's surface from the forest, the mountain, and the ocean. Theprairies themselves are distinguished by specific names, according towhat covers their surface. We have seen that there are "timberprairies" and "flower-prairies. " The latter are usually denominated"weed prairies" by the rude hunters who roam over them. The vast greenmeadows covered with "buffalo" grass, or "gramma, " or "mezquite" grass, are termed "grass prairies. " The tracts of salt efflorescence--oftenfifty miles long and nearly as wide--are called "salt prairies;" and asomewhat similar land, where soda covers the surface, are named "sodaprairies. " There are vast desert plains where no vegetation appears, save the wild sage-bushes (_artemisia_). These are the "sage prairies, "hundreds of miles of which exist in the central parts of the NorthAmerican continent. There are prairies of sand, and "rock prairies, "where the "cut-rock" and pebble deposits cover the arid plains; andstill another variety, called the "hog-wallow prairies, " where thesurface for miles exhibits a rough appearance, as if it had been at someremote period turned over or "rooted" by hogs. 

Most of these names have been given by the trappers--the true pioneersof this wild region. Who have an equal right to bestow them?Scientific men may explore it--topographical officers may travel over itin safety with a troop at their heels--they may proclaim themselves thediscoverers of the passes and the plains, the mountains and the rivers, the fauna and the flora--on their maps they may give them the names, first of themselves, then of their _patrons_, then of their friends, and, lastly, of their favourite dogs and horses. They may callstupendous mountains and grand rivers by the names of Smith and Jones, of Fremont and Stansbury; but men who think justly, and even the rudebut wronged trappers themselves, will laugh to scorn such _scientificcoxcombry_. 

I honour the names which the trappers have given to the features of thatfar land; many of which, like the Indian nomenclature, are theexpressions of nature itself; and not a few of them have been baptisedby the blood of these brave pioneers. 

We have said that our adventurers now travelled upon a "rollingprairie. " The surface exhibited vast ridges with hollows between. Didyou ever see the ocean after a storm? Do you know what a "ground-swell"is?--when the sea is heaving up in great smooth ridges without crest orfoam, and deep troughs between--when the tempest has ceased to howl andthe winds to blow, yet still so uneven remains the surface of the mightydeep, still so dangerous are these smooth waves, that ships rock andtumble about, and sometimes lose their masts, or are flung upon theirbeam ends! That is what the sailors call a "swell. " Now, if you couldimagine one of these billowy seas to be suddenly arrested in its motion, and the water transformed to solid earth, and covered with a greensward, you would have something not unlike a "rolling prairie. " Somethink that, when these prairies were formed, some such rolling motionactually existed, by means of an earthquake, and that all at once theground ceased its undulations, and stood still! It is an interestingspeculation for the learned geologist. 

The ridges of the prairie, upon which our adventurers were journeying, extended from east to west, and, of course, the valleys trended in thesame direction. The route was northward; the path, therefore, which thetravellers pursued was a continued succession of ups and downs. 

Eagerly looking before them, anxiously scanning the valleys or troughsof the prairie as they surmounted each new swell, they rode onward fullof hope that they would soon come in sight of the buffaloes. But theywere not prepared for the sight was so soon to greet their eyes--a sightwhich one would have supposed would have filled them with joy, butwhich, on the contrary, had the effect of inspiring them with a feelingakin to terror. 

They had just climbed one of the ridges that gave them a view of thevalley beyond. It was a small deep valley, of nearly a circular form, and covered with a green turf. Near one side of it was a spring--thewaters of which issuing forth ran nearly around the circumference of thevalley, and then escaped through one of the troughs of the prairie. Thecourse of this rivulet could be traced by the low trees--cotton-woodsand willows--that fringed its banks; so that the central part of thevalley presented the appearance of a small circular meadow almostsurrounded by a grove. 

It was in this meadow that a spectacle was offered to the eyes of ouradventurers, which caused them to rein suddenly up, and sit gazing downupon it with singular emotions. The spectacle was that of a number ofanimals engaged in what appeared to be a mixed and terrible combat!There was not over a dozen of them in all, but they were large animals, of fierce aspect and furious bearing; and so desperately were theyassailing one another, that the green turf around them was torn andfurrowed by their hoofs. It was in the middle of the meadow that thisindiscriminate contest was carried on--in the open ground--and a finerspot for such an exhibition they could hardly have chosen, had theywished to accommodate a large number of spectators. The valley itself, with the ridges that encircled it, was not unlike one of the greatSpanish amphitheatres, where bull-fights are carried on; while thesmooth, level surface of the meadow represented the arena. Thecombatants, however, were engaged in no mock encounter to gratify thecuriosity of an idle crowd; nor did they apprehend that there werespectators present. 

The contest in which they were engaged was a _real_ fight; and theirangry roars, their hurried rushing backwards and forwards, and the loudcracking of their skulls as they came together, proved them to be inearnest. 

That the animals were buffaloes was apparent at first sight. Theirgreat bulk, the lion-like form of their bodies, but, above all, theirbellowing, that resembled the "routing" of enraged bulls, convinced ouryoung hunters that they could be no other than buffaloes--and buffaloesthey were--a "gang" of old buffalo bulls engaged in one of theirterrible tournaments. 

I have said that our hunters, on first seeing them, were influenced byfeelings of terror. But why so? What was there in the appearance of aherd of buffaloes to frighten them, since that was the very thing theyhad so long been in search of? Was it the angry attitudes of theanimals, or their loud roaring? Nothing of the sort? No. That was notwhat had inspired them with fear, or, as I should rather term it, withawe. No. The reason was very different indeed. It was not becausethey were buffaloes, or because they were engaged in a fierce battle, --it was because _they were white buffaloes_!

You will again ask, why this should have been a cause of terror. Was a_white_ buffalo not the very object of the expedition? Should the sightof one not have produced _joy_ rather than _fear_? So the sight of_one_ would; but it was the sight of _so many_--the mysterious spectacleof nearly a dozen of these animals together--a thing unparalleled, unheard of--it was this that inspired our adventurers with awe. 

It was some time before any of the three could find words to expresstheir astonishment. They sat in silence, gazing down into the valley. They could hardly believe the evidence of their eyes. With the palms oftheir hands they shaded them from the sun, and gazed still a longerwhile. They saw, at length, there could be no deception. Buffaloes theanimals were, and _white ones_ too!

They were not all of an uniform white, though most of them were. A fewwere darker about the heads and legs, with broad white flakes upon theirsides, giving them a mottled appearance. The general colour, however, was whitish; and, strange to say, there was not a black or brown one inthe herd!--not one of the well-known colour that buffaloes usually are!It was this that rendered them such a mysterious band in the eyes of ouradventurers. 

The latter, however, soon got over their surprise. There could be nodoubt that they had fallen in with a herd of white buffaloes. Perhaps, thought they, there is, after all, nothing so strange in such a numberof them being together. Perhaps the individuals of that colour, sorarely met with, usually associate together in this way, and keep apartfrom the black ones. What better fortune could have happened for themthen? If they could only succeed in killing one of these creatures, itwould be all that they could wish for, and all they wanted. The objectof their expedition would then be accomplished; and nothing would remainbut to turn their horses' heads, and take the shortest route homeward. With these ideas passing through their minds, they at once set aboutconsidering how they might kill or capture one or more of the herd. 

They were not slow to decide upon a plan. The buffaloes, stillcontinuing their angry conflict, had not noticed them as yet, nor werethey likely to do so. The hunters resolved, therefore, that two of themshould remain on horseback--so as to take the animals upon the "run"--while the third was to endeavour to "approach" them on foot, and get asure shot before they should start off, taking his chance of joining inthe chase afterwards. The latter duty was assigned to Basil; who, afterdismounting from his horse, and looking to his trusty rifle, commencedcreeping down into the valley. Lucien and Francois--still in theirsaddles--remained upon the ridge. 

Basil reached the grove of willows without being observed; and, stealingsilently through, found himself within less than fifty paces of severalof the herd. They were still rushing to and fro, raising the dust inclouds, roaring furiously, parting from each other, and then meetinghead to head with such force that each time their skulls cracked asthough both had been broken by the terrible concussion. The hunterwaited until one of the largest, and apparently the whitest of them, came very near; and then, taking aim behind the fore-shoulder, fired. The huge animal was seen to tumble over; while the others, hearing theshot, or scenting the presence of an enemy, immediately left off theircontest; and, breaking through the willows, scrambled up the ridgetoward the open prairie. 

Without waiting to look after the one that he had fired at, Basil rantoward his horse--which, at his call, was already galloping to meet him. Francois and Lucien were now in pursuit of the flying herd; and Basil, hastily mounting, followed after. In a few minutes the three were sideby side with the buffaloes; and then could be heard the cracking of gunsand pistols until the weapons of all were empty; but, although not ashot had missed hitting the animals, the latter continued to gallop on, as though none of them had been hurt! Before the hunters could reload, they had the mortification to see the whole band far off upon theprairie, and running as briskly as ever!

Seeing that there would be no chance to come up with them again, theyall turned their horses, and commenced riding back to make sure of theone which Basil had knocked over by his first shot. He was still in thevalley they knew, and as they had all seen him lying prostrate, theyfelt certain they had secured one at least, and that was all theywanted. 

On reaching the ridge that overlooked the valley, what was theirsurprise to see the buffalo once more upon his feet, and surrounded by ascore of snapping, snarling wolves! These were rushing upon him fromall sides at once; while the wounded bull was turning briskly about, andendeavouring to keep them at bay with his horns. Some of the wolveswere seen stretched out on the ground--to all appearance dead--whiletheir companions kept up the attack with unrelenting fury. The eyes ofthe buffalo flashed fire, as, wheeling round and round, he endeavouredto keep his assailants in front of him. 

It was evident, however, that the wolves were gaining upon him; and, hadthey been left to themselves, would soon have brought him down. Ourhunters at first thought of allowing them to accomplish this feat; whenall at once it occurred to them that, if they did so, the _skin might bespoiled_! The wolves with their fierce teeth would tear it to pieces. This thought decided them upon a different plan; and all three gallopeddown the ridge and out into the meadow--surrounding the buffalo as theycame up. The wolves scattered in every direction; and the great bull, now perceiving his new enemies, commenced rushing from one to the other, endeavouring to carry their horses upon his horns. It was with greatdifficulty that they could keep out of his reach; but at length anotherwell-directed shot from Basil's rifle entered the heart of the animal;and, after balancing himself upon his spread limbs, and rocking awhilefrom side to side, the huge creature fell forward upon his knees and laymotionless, with a stream of blood pouring from his lips. In a fewmoments he was dead!

Having made sure of this, our hunters flung themselves from theirhorses, drew their skinning-knives, and made up to the noble quarry. You may fancy their astonishment as well as chagrin, when, upon gettingclose to the animal, they discovered that what they had taken for awhite buffalo was no white buffalo after all, but a _black one paintedwhite_! Neither more nor less. The thing was too plain. The lime-likecoating which covered the huge animal all over was now apparent; and asthey passed their hands through the long hair, a white substanceresembling pulverised chalk came off upon their fingers!

What could have caused the strange phenomenon, they asked one another. But the explanation was soon found. They remembered the gypsum hillsover which they had ridden on the preceding day. They remembered, too, that it had rained in the night. The buffaloes had been among thesehills; and, according to their usual habit, had rolled and wallowedabout in the wetted dust-heaps. The white, alabaster-like mud hadadhered to their skins--thus giving them the colour which had so muchdeceived and mystified our hunters!

"Well, " exclaimed Basil, giving a kick to the body of the dead bull, "even _black_ buffalo is not so bad after all. At the worst we shallhave fresh meat for dinner; and with that let us console ourselves forthe disappointment. "

So saying, Basil made signs to his brothers to assist; and all three setabout preparing to skin the animal. 

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. 

THE MYSTERIOUS WALLET. 

That day our hunters dined, for the first time, on fresh buffalo-beef. After dinner they were not idle, but spent the remainder of the eveningin drying a portion of the meat over a fire. They had resolved toencamp on the spot for the night, and follow up the trail in themorning. They therefore busied themselves, until a late hour, inpreparing as much broiled buffalo-meat as would last them for severaldays. 

It was near midnight before they thought of retiring to rest. As theyhad done upon like occasions before, it was agreed that one should keepwatch--so as to keep off the wolves from the meat--while the other twoslept. 

Their camp was in the open ground, near the spot where the buffalo hadbeen skinned. At a little distance off their animals were browsing uponthe grass. The wolves were in great force--both prairie-wolves, andthose of the large grey species. The scent of the broiling meat hadattracted them from afar; and throughout the night they kept up acontinuous howling, trotting all over the meadow around the camp. 

Francois kept the first watch, and Lucien the second; Basil's turn camenext, and it was to extend till daybreak, when all were to be aroused--so that they might pack up at a very early hour, and continue thejourney. They did not wish to lose a moment more than was necessary--asthey knew that every hour the migrating herd would be gaining upon them, and thus prolong the pursuit. 

Basil's watch was a long one; and, having sat up so late, he feltsleepy. He was, therefore, in no very friendly humour with the wolves--upon whose account he was thus compelled to keep awake. Every now andthen, as he saw them sneaking about in the darkness, he could not helpmuttering an angry ejaculation; and he had made up his mind, as soon asmorning came, to empty his gun at one of the pack, by way of satisfyinghis feelings. 

After a spell of watching, that lasted nearly three hours, he perceivedthe first streaks of dawn in the east. 

"By the time we get breakfast cooked, " thought Basil, "there will belight enough to follow the trail; so I'll rouse Frank and Luce; and, byway of a change, I'll give them a _reveille_ with my rifle. Let me pickout the largest of these sneaking wolves; I'll put one of them at leastfrom keeping anybody awake hereafter, I guess. "

Basil, as he reflected thus, raised himself upon his knees, and lookedaround to select a victim. Strange to say, the wolves, as if they hadguessed his intention, had scattered away from the neighbourhood of thefire, though several could still be seen stealing along the edge of thewillows. Basil chose one of these which appeared in the dim light to bea large grey one; and, levelling his piece, fired at it. As he was notvery anxious whether he killed the animal or not, he fired carelessly. 

Following the shot there was heard a loud scream, that was answered byfifty others, from all sides of the valley. It awoke the sleepinghunters; who, along with Basil, sprang to their feet. It was not thescream of wolves they had heard, but a cry of far different import. Itwas the yell of human voices--_the war-cry of Indians_!

All three stood speechless with terror; but, even could they havespoken, there was scarcely time allowed them to have uttered a word;for, almost simultaneous with the yells, there was a rushing forward ofdark forms; and the next moment fifty tall savages were around them. Basil, who had been farthest out from the fire, was knocked senseless bya blow; while Lucien and Francois, who did not think of using theirguns, were seized by the brawny arms of the Indians and held fast. Itwas fortunate for them that they did not make any resistance, else thesavages would have killed all three upon the spot. As it was, even, they seemed for a while undetermined whether to do so or not--as it wasone of their number that Basil had mistaken for a wolf, and the shot hadwounded the Indian, which, of course, exasperated them greatly. Perceiving, however, the small force of the party, and that the boysmade no farther resistance, they gave up the idea of killing them on thespot, but bound the arms of all three behind their backs; and then, after having mounted them on their horses, and gathered up their gunsand blankets, led them out of the valley. At a short distance off, theIndians reached a spot where their own horses were tied. Here theyhalted for a moment--until each had got into his saddle--and then thewhole party, prisoners and all, set off at a brisk trot over theprairie. 

In about an hour they arrived at a large encampment upon the bank of abroad shallow river. There were nearly an hundred lodges standing uponthe plain; and the ground was littered with buffalo-horns and hides, while vast quantities of the flesh of these animals were hanging frompoles in front of every lodge. There were fires, and camp-kettles, anddogs, and Indian ponies, and women, and children--all mixed up together, or moving to and fro among the tents. 

In front of the encampment, and near the bank of the stream, theprisoners were thrown upon the ground. Their captors left them; butthey were at once surrounded by a crowd of yelling squaws and children. These at first regarded them only with curiosity; but as soon as theyheard that one of the Indians had been wounded, they uttered the mosthideous and piercing cries, and approached their captives withthreatening looks and gestures. They commenced their cowardly tortureby pulling the ears and hair of the boys, and sticking arrow-points intotheir arms and shoulders; and then, by way of having a little fun, several of the squaws seized hold of, and dragged the three prisonersout into the middle of the stream. Here they ducked them, keeping theirheads for a long time under water, all the while yelling and laughinglike so many demons. The poor captives for a while believed that thesewomen were about to drown them, and, tied as they were, they could makeno effort to save themselves. This, however, was not the intention ofthe squaws; they were only disposed to have as much fun out of them aspossible. After they had got tired of this amusement, they dragged theboys back again to the bank, and flung them dripping upon the grass. 

But what was Basil doing all this time? Did he not possess a charmabout him, that would have put an end to all this torturing treatment, and have made the Indians friends instead of such cruel enemies? Ah!poor Basil! he had suffered worse than any of the three. I shall tellyou how it was with him. 

At their capture Basil had been stunned by the blow of a tomahawk. Hehad been knocked quite senseless; and although he recovered himself sofar as to be able to ride to the Indian camp, it was not until after theducking he received in the cold river that he fairly came to himself. As soon as he did so, he bethought himself of that which he carriedunder the breast of his hunting-shirt. In fact, his brothers had beenreminding him of it every moment, anxiously entreating him to make useof a secret of which neither of them fully understood the nature. But, up to this time, Basil, bewildered by the blow, was scarcely consciousof what he did. He had now recovered himself, and was making everyeffort to get at the string, and draw the embroidered pouch from hisbreast; but his hands were tied behind him, and he could not use them!He essayed to reach it with his mouth, but all his efforts were in vain. He then turned towards his brothers, so that they might stretch forwardand draw out the string with their teeth. They were no longer near him!The squaws had dragged them to some distance off; and, like himself, their ankles were tied together, and they could not move from the spotwhere they had been placed. 

Basil saw all this with a feeling of consternation; for, judging fromthe cruel treatment to which they had been submitted, and from theexcited and exasperated manner of the Indians, he began to fear theworst, and to doubt whether the charm he carried might, after all, availthem. He used every effort to give it a trial. Failing to reach it, hemade signs to the squaws around him, nodding with his head, and castinghis eyes downward towards his breast. These, however, did notunderstand his meaning; and only laughed at what appeared to them asomewhat comic pantomime. 

During the continuance of this scene, the Indian men stood apart, conversing together, and evidently deliberating what they should do withtheir prisoners. The manner of some of them was angry and excited. They talked loudly, and gesticulated with violence, occasionallypointing to a spot of level ground in front of the camp. The captivescould see that among these loud talkers was the man whom Basil hadwounded, as he carried his arm in a bandage. He was an ill-favoured, ferocious-looking savage; and the boys, although they knew not a wordthat was uttered, could tell by his manner that he was speaking againstthem. To their consternation, they at length saw that he and his partyhad carried their point, and all the others appeared to acquiesce. Whatcould their decision have been? Were they going to murder them?Agonised with these terrible apprehensions, the boys watched everyaction of the Indians with the keenest solicitude. 

All at once each one of the savages was seen to arm himself with a bow;while two of their number, carrying a large stake, proceeded out intothe open ground, and planted it firmly in the earth. O God! the horridtruth now became clear. It was their intention to tie their prisonersto the stake, and use them as a target for their arrows! The boys hadheard that this was a common custom among Indians with their captives;and each of them uttered a cry of terror, as they recognised the fearfulpreparations. 

They had but little time to shout to each other; and what they said wasdrowned by the yells of the squaws and children, who leaped and dancedover the ground, evidently delighted with the prospect of the horridspectacle they were about to witness. 

Fortunately Basil was selected as the first victim. His superior sizeand age, no doubt, obtained him that preference. He was rudely seizedby a pair of Indians and dragged up to the stake, where the savagescommenced stripping him--by way of making a better mark of his nakedbody!

As soon as they had loosened his arms and pulled off his hunting-shirt, the embroidered pouch attracted their attention. One of them seized it, and drew forth its contents--which proved to be _a pipe-head of the redclay-stone_--the celebrated steatite. As soon as the savage set hiseyes upon it, he uttered a strange exclamation, and handed it to hiscompanion. The latter took it into his hands, uttered a similarejaculation, and carrying it with him, ran back to the crowd. These, assoon as it reached them, could be seen passing it from hand to hand, each examining it minutely, and making some remark; but one Indian, morethan the rest, seemed to be excited upon beholding it; and this one, after he had gazed upon it for a moment, ran hurriedly towards Basil, followed by all the others!

This was the opportunity which Basil wished for; and as the Indian stoodin front of him, and pointed to the pipe, as if waiting for anexplanation, the boy, his hands being now free, deliberately and withcoolness made several signs which had been taught him by his father. These signs were at once understood by the Indian, who sprang forward, pulled off the cords that bound Basil's ankles, raised him to his feet, embracing him as he did so with friendly exclamations! All the otherIndians now pressed forward, and grasped him by the hand, while some ranto Lucien and Francois, who, in a few moments, were likewise set free!

All three were now carried to one of the tents; dry clothes were putupon them, and as soon as it could be got ready, a feast was set beforethem: so that their captors, who but the moment before were about to putthem one by one to a most cruel death, now seemed to strive with eachother which should honour them the most! The Indian, however, who hadshown so much interest at seeing the mysterious pipe-head, was allowedto take precedence in waiting upon them; and it was into his tent thatour adventurers had been carried. 

You will by this time wonder what there could be in a simple pipe-head, to have caused all this sudden and mysterious effect. I will tell youin as few words as possible. 

You have no doubt heard of the celebrated Shawano chief Tecumseh--perhaps the greatest Indian warrior that ever lived, as well as the mostremarkable of Indian statesmen. You may have heard, too, that duringthe last war between England and the United States, Tecumseh, takingadvantage of the difference between these nations, endeavoured to excitethe Indians to a general rising, for the purpose of driving all whitemen from the soil of America. Tecumseh had a brother, Elswatawa, betterknown by the name of "the Prophet. " This brother was to the full asenthusiastic as the chief himself in the wish to carry out their greatdesign; and for this purpose he undertook a crusade to every tribe ofIndians in the western parts of America. He was a man of great talentsand eloquence, and was received with friendship wherever he went. Thecause which he advocated was dear to all Indians; and of course he waslistened to, and smoked the _calumet_ with the men of every tribe. Nowthis very calumet, which had been used by the Prophet throughout all hiswanderings, was the identical one which Basil carried, and which, by itsstrange carvings and hieroglyphics, was at once recognised by theseIndians, who were of the Osage tribe, --one of those which the Prophethad visited. 

But you will ask, how this calumet came into the possession of Basil'sfather, and why its possession insured such mysterious protection to ouradventurers. That I can also explain. Tecumseh was killed in the warwith the Americans; but the Prophet lived for many years afterwards. Shortly after having emigrated to America, during one of his excursionsnear Saint Louis, the Colonel--the father of our boy hunters--met withthis strange Indian; and, through some circumstances which happened, theFrenchman and he became fast friends. Presents were exchanged betweenthem, and that which was received by the latter was the _red calumet_. The Prophet, on giving it, told the Colonel, that if ever he should haveoccasion to wander among the Indian tribes, it might prove useful tohim; and at the same time initiated him into certain signs which he wasto make use of in such time of need. In these signs the Colonel hadinstructed Basil, and we have already witnessed their effect. TheIndian who had best understood them, and in whom they had produced thestrongest emotions, happened to be a Shawano himself--one of that verytribe to which both the Prophet and Tecumseh belonged; and which is nowbut a remnant--most of its warlike sons being either dead, or scatteredamong the nomad bands that roam over the great western prairies. Such, then, was the history of the red calumet, which had proved the protectorof our adventurous hunters. 

In a short time they were enabled to communicate with the Indians bysigns; for no people can understand such language better than Indians. The boys informed the Shawano who they were, and for what purpose theyhad ventured upon the prairies. On learning the nature of theirexpedition, the Indians were filled with astonishment as well asadmiration for the courage of these young hunters. They told thelatter, in return, that they themselves were out hunting the buffaloes--that they were now on the skirts of the great herd, and they believedthat one or two _white_ buffaloes had been seen. Furthermore, theyadded, that if the boys would remain, and hunt for a few days in companywith them, no pains should be spared to kill or capture one of theseanimals, which should be placed at the disposal of their young guests. Of course, this invitation was cheerfully accepted. 

I might narrate many more adventures that befell our _Boy Hunters_; butI fear, young reader, you are already tired of the prairies. Sufficeit, then, to say, that after some days spent in hunting with theIndians, a _white buffalo_ was at length killed, his skin taken off inthe proper manner, and, after being saturated with a _preserving_ointment, which Lucien had brought along with him, was carefully packedupon the back of the mule Jeanette. Our adventurers now bade farewellto their Indian friends, and set out on their return homewards. Theywere accompanied to the confines of Louisiana by the Shawano and severalother Indians, who there took leave of them. In due time they safelyreached the old house at Point Coupee; where I need not tell you theymet with a joyous and affectionate welcome, both from their father andthe _ex-chasseur_, Hugot. The old naturalist had gained what he wishedfor, and was as happy as man could be. He was prouder than ever of his_boy-men_--his "young Nimrods, " as he now called them--and on many awinter's night by the cheerful log-fire, did he take pleasure inlistening to the story of their _adventures in search of a whitebuffalo_. 

THE END.