bottom, and are clustering
together like deer in council. By the Lord they are turning again, and we are
not yet done with the reptiles!«
    Once more he sought his friendly cover, and at the next instant the dark
troop were to be seen riding, in a disorderly manner, on the very summit of the
little elevation on which the trapper and his companions lay. It was now soon
apparent that they had returned to avail themselves of the height of the ground,
in order to examine the dim horizon.
    Some dismounted, while others rode to and fro, like men engaged in a local
inquiry of much interest. Happily for the hidden party, the grass in which they
were concealed not only served to skreen them from the eyes of the savages, but
opposed an obstacle to prevent their horses, which were no less rude and
untrained than their riders, from trampling on them, in their irregular and wild
paces.
    At length an athletic and dark-looking Indian, who, by his air of authority,
would seem to be the leader, summoned his chiefs about him to a consultation,
which was held mounted. This body was collected on the very margin of that mass
of herbage in which the trapper and his companions were hid. As the young man
looked up and saw the fierce aspect of the groupe, which was increasing at each
instant by the accession of some countenance and figure, apparently more
forbidding than any which had preceded it, he drew his rifle, by a very natural
impulse, from beneath him, and commenced putting it in a state for service. The
female, at his side, buried her face in the grass, by a feeling that was,
possibly, quite as natural to her sex and habits, leaving him to follow the
impulses of his hot blood; but his aged and more prudent adviser whispered
sternly in his ear.
    »The tick of the lock is as well known to the knaves as the blast of a
trumpet to a soldier! Lay down the piece - lay down the piece - should the moon
touch the barrel, it could not fail to be seen by the devils, whose eyes are
keener than the blackest snake's! The smallest motion, now, would be sure to
bring an arrow among us.«
    The bee-hunter so far obeyed as to continue immoveable and silent. But there
was still sufficient light to convince his companion, by the contracted brow and
threatening eye of the young man, that a discovery would not bestow a bloodless
victory on the savages. Finding his advice disregarded, the trapper took his