was seen advancing along the margin of the run, with a
deliberate pace, in a direct line for the two revellers. As there was nothing
formidable nor hostile in his appearance, the bee-hunter, instead of suspending
his operations, rather increased his efforts, in a manner which would seem to
imply that he doubted whether the hump would suffice for the proper
entertainment of all who were now likely to partake of the delicious morsel.
With the trapper, however, the case was different. His more tempered appetite
was already satisfied, and he faced the new comer with a look of cordiality,
that plainly evinced how very opportune he considered his arrival.
    »Come on, friend,« he said waving his hand, as he observed the stranger to
pause a moment, apparently in doubt. »Come on, I say: if hunger be your guide it
has led you to a fitting place. Here is meat, and this youth can give you corn,
parch'd till it be whiter than the upland snow; come on, without fear. We are
not ravenous beasts, eating of each other, but Christian men, receiving
thankfully that which the Lord hath seen fit to give.«
    »Venerable hunter,« returned the Doctor, for it was no other than the
naturalist on one of his daily exploring expeditions, »I rejoice greatly at this
happy meeting; we are lovers of the same pursuits, and should be friends.«
    »Lord, lord!« said the old man laughing, without much deference to the rules
of decorum, in the philosopher's very face, »it is the man who wanted to make me
believe that a name could change the natur' of a beast! Come, friend; you are
welcome, though your notions are a little blinded with reading too many books.
Sit ye down, and after eating of this morsel, tell me, if you can, the name of
the creatur' that has bestowed on you its flesh for a meal?«
    The eyes of Dr. Battius (for we deem it decorous to give the good man the
appellation he most preferred), the eyes of Dr. Battius sufficiently denoted the
satisfaction with which he listened to this proposal. The exercise he had taken,
and the sharpness of the wind, proved excellent stimulants, and Paul himself had
hardly been in better plight to do credit to the trapper's cookery, than was the
lover of nature, when the grateful invitation met his ears. Indulging in a small
laugh, which his exertions to repress reduced nearly to a simper, he