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diff --git a/21236.txt b/21236.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..632c047 --- /dev/null +++ b/21236.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9863 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Hunters, by Captain Mayne Reid + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Boy Hunters + +Author: Captain Mayne Reid + +Illustrator: Unknown + +Release Date: April 27, 2007 [EBook #21236] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY HUNTERS *** + + + + +Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England + + + + + +The Boy Hunters +Adventures in Search of a White Buffalo + +By Captain Mayne Reid +________________________________________________________________________ +This book was written after Mayne Reid discovered that writing books in +which not too many people died, and there was not too much violence, was +better business than writing as he did at first. There are three boys +living with their father, now just a little disabled, but an avid +collector of natural-history specimens. The father says he would give +almost anything for the hide of a white buffalo, and that such a beast +exists cannot be disputed. The boys volunteer to get up an expedition +to bring back the much-desired hide, and off they go. + +This book is the story of their quest. But it is also an interesting +exposition of the animals and plants that inhabit the great prairies of +America. The only real fault is that we are inevitably given the Latin +name 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 enjoyed +transcribing it. I am sure I will read it many more times before my +days are numbered, if I can. NH +________________________________________________________________________ + +THE BOY HUNTERS +ADVENTURES 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 in +the world. A line that would measure it would just reach to the centre +of the earth,--in other words, it is four thousand miles in length. Go +with me to this majestic river. + +I do not wish you to travel to its source; only as far up as Point +Coupee, about three hundred miles from its mouth. There we shall stop +for 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; and +from Point Coupee we shall take our departure. + +There is a village at Point Coupee--a quaint, old, French-looking +village built of wood. In point of fact it _is_ a French village; for +it was one of the earliest settlements of that people, who, with the +Spaniards, were the first colonists of Western America. Hence we find, +to this day, French and Spanish people, with French and Spanish names +and customs, all through the Mississippi valley and the regions that lie +west of it. + +We have not much to do with these things at present, and very little to +say of Point Coupee, more than we have already said. Our subject is an +odd-looking house that, many years ago, stood upon the western bank of +the river, about a mile below the village. I say it stood there many +years ago; but it is very likely that it is still standing, as it was a +firm, well-built house, of hewn logs, carefully chinked, and plastered +between the chinks with run-lime. It was roofed with cedar shingles +that projected at the eaves, so as to cast off the rain, and keep the +walls 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 you +might have driven a wagon loaded with hay. This passage was roofed and +ceiled, like the rest of the house, and floored with strong planks. The +flooring, elevated a foot above the surface of the ground, projected +several feet in front of the passage, where carved uprights of +cedar-wood supported a light roof, forming a porch or verandah. Around +these uprights, and upon the railing that shut in the verandah, clung +vines, rose-bushes, and convolvulus plants, that at certain seasons of +the year were clustered over with beautiful flowers. + +The house faced the river, standing, as I have said, on its western +bank--on the same side with Point Coupee. In front was a lawn, some two +hundred yards in length, that stretched toward the river, and ended on +the low bluff forming its bank. This lawn was enclosed by high +rail-fences, and variegated with clumps of shrubbery and ornamental +trees. Most of them were indigenous to the country; but there were +exotics as well. Among the trees you could not fail to notice the +large-flowered magnolia (_Magnolia grandiflora_), the red mulberry +(_Morus rubra_), the pale-green leaves of the catalpa, the tall +tulip-tree (_liriodendron_), and the shining foliage of the orange. + +In contrast with the brighter frondage of these were dark cone-shaped +cedars, and spire-like forms of the yew. There were date-trees and +weeping willows growing upon the river bank, and drooping gracefully +over its current. Other plants and trees might be distinguished--the +natives of a southern clime--such as the great Mexican aloe (_Agave +Americana_), the bayonet blades of the yucca, and the fan-like leaves of +the palmetto. Beautiful birds of many varieties might be seen among the +copses, or moving over the grassy sward of the lawn. + +In the great hall or passage, already mentioned, a singular picture +presented itself. Along the walls, on both sides, were suspended +various implements of the chase, such as rifles, shot guns, pouches, +flasks, hunting-knives, and, in short, every species of trap, net, or +implement, that could be devised for capturing the wild denizens of the +earth, air, and water. Horns of the stag and elk were fastened to the +hewn logs; and upon their branching antlers hung hair-bridles, and +high-peaked saddles of the Mexican or Spanish fashion. In addition to +these were skins of rare birds and quadrupeds, artistically preserved by +stuffing, and placed on pedestals around the wooden walls. There were +glass cases, too, containing moths, butterflies, and other insects, +impaled upon pins, and arranged in systematic order. In short, this +hall resembled a little museum. + +Were we to enter and examine the inside of the house, we should find +three or four good-sized rooms, comfortably furnished, and all stocked +with subjects of natural history, and implements of the chase. In one +of the rooms we should see a barometer and thermometer hanging against +the wall, an old clock over the mantel-piece, a sabre and pistols, and a +book-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 we +should meet with an enclosed yard, having a storehouse and stable at one +end. In the stables we should find four horses, and several mules might +be observed in the enclosure. A large reddish dog with long ears, and +having 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 the +residence of a wealthy planter; on a nearer inspection, however, it +would not pass for that. There were no rows of negro cabins, no great +sugar-mills, nor tobacco-warehouses, such as are always to be seen near +the planter's dwelling. Nothing of the sort; nor was there any very +large tract of cultivated land contiguous to the house. The dark +cypress 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, and +who 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 year +Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to the island-rock of Saint Helena. Many +French 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 their +homes for life. Among them was one named Landi, who had been a colonel +of chasseurs in Napoleon's army. He was by birth a Corsican; and it was +through his being a friend and early acquaintance of one of the +Bonaparte family that he had been induced to become an officer in the +French army--for in his youth he had been fonder of science than +soldiering. + +While campaigning in Spain, Landi had married a Basque lady, by whom he +had three children, all sons. Their mother died before the battle of +Waterloo was fought; so that when Landi emigrated to America his family +consisted of his three sons alone. + +He first went to Saint Louis, but after a while moved down the river to +Point Coupee, in Louisiana, where he purchased the house we have just +described, 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 patrimonial +estates in Corsica for a sum of money--enough to have enabled him to +live without labour in any country, but particularly in that free land +of cheap food and light taxation--the land of his adoption. He was, +therefore, under no necessity of following any trade or profession in +his new home--and he followed none. How then did he employ his time? I +will tell you. He was an educated man. Previous to his entering the +French army he had studied the natural sciences. He was a _naturalist_. +A naturalist can find employment anywhere--can gather both instruction +and amusement where others would die of _ennui_ and idleness. Remember! +there are "sermons in stones, and books in running brooks." He was not +a closet naturalist either. Like the great Audubon he was fond of the +outside world. He was fond of drawing his lessons from Nature herself. +He combined a passion for the chase with his more delicate taste for +scientific pursuits; and where could he have better placed himself to +indulge 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, and +preserving the skins of rare quadrupeds, and planting and pruning his +trees, and teaching his boys, and training his dogs and horses, Landi +was far from being idle. His boys, of course, assisted him in these +occupations, 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 five +feet four inches in height. He was dapper and tidy--had a large +aquiline nose, and, notwithstanding his limited stature, a pair of +tremendous moustachios, that curved over his mouth so as almost to hide +it. These gave him a somewhat fierce aspect, which, combined with his +upright carriage, and brisk mechanical-like movements, told you at once +what Hugot had been--a French soldier. He was, in fact, a _ci-devant_ +corporal of chasseurs. Landi had been his colonel. The rest you will +easily guess. He had followed his old leader to America, and was now +his man for everything. It was not often that you could see the +naturalist without also seeing Hugot's great moustachios close by his +elbow. It would have killed Hugot to have been separated for any length +of 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 no +housekeeper nor any other domestic about the establishment. It would +remain thus for days, sometimes for weeks together--for the naturalist +with his party often made distant excursions into the surrounding +forests. They would return laden with spoils--skins of birds and +beasts, plants, and rare geological specimens. Then whole days would be +spent in the arrangement of these new acquisitions. Thus did Landi and +his family pass their time. + +Hugot was cook, valet, groom, butler, and errand boy. I have already +stated 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. The +Colonel was a man of simple habits. He had learned these when a +soldier, and he brought up his sons to live like himself. He ate plain +food, drank only water, and slept upon a camp-bed with a buffalo-robe +and a blanket. A laundress in Point Coupee kept the linen clean; and +Hugot was not near so busy with house affairs as you might suppose. He +made daily journeys to the village--to the market, and the post-office, +from which he often brought letters, many of them with large seals, and +the arms of a prince upon them! Sometimes, too, after a steamer had +called at the landing, parcels arrived containing books--scientific +books 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 gossip +with old hunters and others who lived there. The villagers knew him as +the "old Colonel," and respected him. They only wondered at his tastes +as a naturalist, which to them seemed strange. They wondered, too, how +he managed to keep house without a maid-servant. But the Colonel did +not trouble his head about their conjectures. He only laughed at their +curious inquiries, and remained on as good terms as ever. His boys, +too, as they grew up became great favourites with all. They were the +best shots of their age, could ride a horse with any, could swim the +Mississippi, paddle a canoe, fling a lasso, or spear a catfish, as +though they had been full-grown men. They were, in fact, boy-men; and +as such were regarded by the simple villagers, who instinctively felt +the superiority which education and training had given to these youths +over their own uneducated minds. The boys, notwithstanding these +advantages, were affable with the villagers; hence the respect in which +they were universally held. + +None of his neighbours ever visited the Colonel, except on matters of +business. Indeed he had no visitors of any sort, if we except one or +two of his former military associates, who lived at New Orleans, and +came up to his house about once a-year to talk over old times, and taste +his venison. On such occasions "Napoleon le Grand" was of course the +main subject of conversation. Like all old soldiers of the Empire, +Landi worshipped Napoleon; but there was one of the Bonaparte family for +whom 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 that +remarkable family have given evidence to the world that they were the +possessors of noble virtue. The quiet researches of the Prince of +Musignano as a student of natural history, may be looked upon as so many +conquests in the kingdom of Nature; and though they have been eclipsed +by the more brilliant and sanguinary triumphs of the Emperor, yet do +they far more entitle him to the gratitude and respect of men. He was +the true hero of the hunter-naturalist Landi. + +For many years did Colonel Landi lead the life we have described. An +event at length happened that was near proving fatal to him. He had +been wounded in the leg during his campaigns in the Peninsula. A fall +from his horse reopened this wound, and amputation became necessary. +This saved his life, but he could no longer partake of the amusements of +the chase, although still able to indulge in the more delicate pursuits +of the naturalist. With his wooden leg he was able to hobble about the +house and lawn, prune the trees, and attend to his pets that had grown +to be quite numerous, while Hugot at all times followed him about like +his shadow. The boys, however, went abroad on hunting expeditions, and +collected specimens as formerly; and the life of all went on pretty much +as usual. + +Thus it was when I first became acquainted with the naturalist, his man +Hugot, and his three sons--the _Boy Hunters_, the heroes of our little +book. + +Young reader, permit me to introduce you to a more intimate acquaintance +with them. I fancy you will like them--all three--and be happy for some +time in their society. + + + +CHAPTER THREE. + +THE PRINCE'S LETTER. + +It is a lovely morning in Spring as we approach their dwelling. We +enter the lawn by a side-gate. We need not go into the house, for there +is no one within doors. The weather is too fine for that, but they are +all at home notwithstanding. They are in the lawn in front, and the +verandah. + +They are differently occupied. The Colonel himself is engaged feeding +his pets. Hugot is helping him, and carries the basket containing their +food. + +You would call the Colonel a fine-looking man. His hair is as white as +bleached flax. So, too, are his moustaches. He wears no beard. His +face is cleanly shaved, showing a complexion bronzed and somewhat ruddy. +The expression of his countenance is mild, though firm. He is much +thinner than he has been in his time, on account of the amputation of +his leg, which often produces this effect. His dress is simple. A +jacket of yellow nankeen, a striped cotton shirt, with loose cottonade +trousers 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, for +the day is warm. Thus is the Colonel attired. Hugot is dressed after a +somewhat similar fashion; but the material of his jacket and trousers is +coarser, and his hat is of the common palmetto leaf. + +Look at Basil, the oldest of the boys. He is at work fixing some straps +to a hunting-saddle, that lies on the grass beside him. Basil is +exactly seventeen years of age. He is a fine-looking lad, though not +what you might call handsome. His face has a courageous expression, and +his form betokens strength. His hair is straight, and black as jet. He +is 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." He +is more fond of the chase than of aught else. He loves hunting for +itself, and delights in its dangers. He has got beyond the age of +bird-catching and squirrel shooting. His ambition is not now to be +satisfied with anything less exciting than a panther, bear, or buffalo +hunt. + +How very unlike him is Lucien, the second in age! Unlike in almost +everything. Lucien is delicately formed, with a light complexion and +very fair hair. He is more like what his mother was, for she was +fair-haired and _blonde_, as are many of her people--the Basques. +Lucien is passionately fond of books and study. He is busy with a book +just now in the verandah. He is a student of natural history in +general, but botany and geology are his favourite sciences, and he has +made considerable progress in both. He accompanies Basil on all hunting +expeditions; but, in the midst of the most exciting chase, Lucien would +leap down from his horse if a rare plant or flower, or an odd-looking +rock, was to fall under his eye. Lucien talks but little--not half so +much as most boys--but although habitually silent he possesses a rare +good sense; and when he offers his advice upon any question, it is +usually received with respect by the others. Such is the secret +influence 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 and +likings--versatile in talents--in short, more of a Frenchman than any of +them. Francois is a great bird-catcher. He is at this moment engaged +in repairing his nets; and his double-barrel shot gun, which he has just +finished cleaning, rests beside him. Francois is a favourite with +everybody, but a great pest to Hugot, upon whom he plays numerous +tricks. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +While the naturalist and his family were thus engaged, a loud booming +noise was heard at some distance off, down the river. It somewhat +resembled the regular firing of great guns, though the explosions +sounded 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 Saint +Louis." + +"No, brother," said Lucien, quietly raising himself from his book. "She +is 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 the +trees; and then the huge vessel came "bulging" around a bend of the +river, cleaving the brown current as she went. She was soon opposite +the 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 he +bore it with characteristic modesty. + +The boat had not passed many minutes, when the loud screeching of her +steam was heard in the direction of Point Coupee. They could tell from +this that she was putting in at the landing. + +"Hugot!" cried the Colonel, "their may be something for us. Go and +see." + +Without waiting for further orders, Hugot started on his errand. He was +a brisk walker, Hugot; and was back again in a trice. He brought with +him a letter of goodly size and appearance. + +"From Prince Lucien!" cried Francois, who was sure to have the first +word in everything. "It is from the Prince, papa; I know the seal." + +"Quiet, Francois! quiet!" said his father, reprovingly; at the same time +hobbling 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 his +hand 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 a +robe--but a perfect skin with the head, feet, and all complete, and fit +for stuffing." + +"Ah! mon Colonel! that is different." + +"Ah! you may say so. I fear it will be difficult, indeed," soliloquised +the Colonel, with a thoughtful air. "I very much doubt whether we can +get it at all; but it must be had, cost _what it may_--ay, _cost what it +may_." + +"I will do my best, Colonel." + +"Try at every fur-store in Saint Louis,--inquire among the hunters and +trappers--you know where to find them. If these fail you, put an +advertisement in the newspapers--advertise both in English and French. +Go to Monsieur Choteau--anywhere. Spare no expense, but get me the +skin." + +"_Restez tranquille, mon Colonel_; I shall do all that." + +"Make ready, then, to start. There may be a steamer going up before +night. Hush! I hear one this very moment. It may be a Saint Louis +boat." + +All stood for a moment silent and listening. The 'scape of another boat +coming up the river could be heard plain enough. + +"It is a Saint Louis boat," said Lucien. "It is the `Belle of the +West.'" + +Lucien, who had a quick talent in that way, could tell, by the sound of +their steam-pipe, almost every boat that plied upon the Mississippi. In +half-an-hour the steamer hove in sight, and it was seen that he had +again guessed correctly. It was a Saint Louis boat, and the "Belle of +the West," too! + +Hugot had not many preparations to make; and before the boat had arrived +opposite to the house, he had arranged everything--received some further +instructions, with a purse of money, from his master--and was off to +Point 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 three +weeks to the old Colonel,--who was troubled with apprehensions that +Hugot would not succeed in his errand. He had written in reply to the +letter of Prince Bonaparte. He had written promising to procure--_if +possible_--a white buffalo-skin--for this was what the Prince's letter +was about;--and not for half what he was worth would the Colonel have +failed to accomplish this object. No wonder, then, he was impatient and +uneasy during Hugot's absence. + +Hugot returned at length, after night. The Colonel did not wait until +he entered the house, but met him at the door, candle in hand. He need +not have put any question, as Hugot's face answered that question before +it was asked. The moment the light fell upon it, any one could have +told that Hugot had come back _without the skin_. He looked quite +crest-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 white +buffalo's skin if I had offered ten times as much. I could not have got +it for a thousand dollars." + +"I would give five thousand!" + +"It would have been all the same, monsieur. It is not to be had in +Saint Louis." + +"What says Monsieur Choteau?" + +"That there is but little chance of finding what you want. A man, he +says, may travel all over the prairies without meeting with a _white_ +buffalo. The Indians prize them beyond anything, and never let one +escape when they chance to fall in with it. I found two or three among +the 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 in +Saint Louis, where else?" + +"Where else, papa?" interrupted Francois, who, with his brothers, had +stood listening to the above dialogue. "Where else, but _on the +prairies_?" + +"On the prairies!" mechanically echoed his father. + +"Yes, papa. Send Basil, and Lucien, and myself. We'll find you a white +buffalo, I warrant you." + +"Hurrah, Francois!" cried Basil; "you're right, brother. I was going to +propose the same myself." + +"No, no, my lads; you've heard what Monsieur Choteau says. You need not +think of such a thing. It cannot be had. And I have written to the +Prince, too. I have as good as promised him!" + +As the old Colonel uttered these words, his countenance and gestures +expressed 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 experience +in the fur-trade; but the facts do not correspond with what he has +stated,"--(Lucien, you will observe, was a keen reasoner). "Hugot has +seen two or three of these skins in Saint Louis. Some one must have +found the animals to which these belonged. Moreover, I have heard, as +Monsieur Choteau asserts, that they are highly prized by the Indian +chiefs, who wear them as robes; and that they are often seen among the +tribes. This, then, proves that there _are_ white buffaloes upon the +prairies; and why should _we_ not happen upon them as well as others? I +say with Francois and Basil, let us go in search of them." + +"Come in, my lads; come in!" said their father, evidently pleased, and +to some extent comforted, with the proposal of his boys. "Come in to +the 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 by +his 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 its +bearings. The father was more than half inclined to consent to the +proposal of his sons from the first; while they, but particularly Basil +and Francois, were enthusiastic in proving its practicability. I need +hardly 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 gratify +his friend the Prince. He was influenced, too, by another feeling. He +felt secretly pleased at the bold and enterprising character thus +exhibited in his children, and he was not the man to throw cold water +upon any enterprise they might design. Indeed, he often boasted to his +neighbours and friends how he had trained them up to be men, calling +them his "boy-men," and his "_jeunes chasseurs_." And truly had he +trained 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 the +lasso, to climb tall trees, and scale steep cliffs, to bring down birds +upon the wing, or beasts upon the run, with the arrow and the unerring +rifle. He had trained them to sleep in the open air--in the dark +forest--on the unsheltered prairie--along the white snow-wreath-- +anywhere--with but a blanket or a buffalo-robe for their beds. He had +taught them to live upon the simplest food; and the knowledge of +practical botany which he had imparted to them--more particularly to +Lucien--would enable them, in case of need, to draw sustenance from +plants and trees, from roots and fruits--to find resources where +ignorant men might starve. They knew how to kindle a fire without +either flint, steel, or detonating powder. They could discover their +direction without a compass--from the rocks, and the trees, and the +signs of the heavens; and, in addition to all, they had been taught, as +far as was then known, the geography of that vast wilderness that +stretched 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 he +consented to the expedition. But there was still another motive that +influenced him--perhaps the most powerful of all. He was inspired by +the pride of the naturalist. He thought of the triumph he would obtain +by sending such a rare contribution to the great museum of Europe. If +ever, my young reader, you should become a naturalist, you will +comprehend how strong this feeling may be; and with our +hunter-naturalist it was so. + +At first he proposed that Hugot should accompany them. This the boys +would not hear of, and all three stoutly opposed it. They could not +think of taking Hugot--their father would require Hugot at home--Hugot +would be of no use to them, they said. They would do as well, if not +better, without him. + +The truth was, that these ambitious young hunters did not wish to be +robbed of any part of the credit of their enterprise--which they knew +would be the case if Hugot were to accompany them. Not that Hugot was +by any means a noted hunter--quite the contrary--nor a warrior neither, +notwithstanding he had been a _chasseur a cheval_, and wore such fierce +moustachios. All this his old Colonel knew very well; and therefore did +not 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 Soyer +himself. But Hugot--although for many years he had accompanied his old +and young masters in the chase--had no taste whatever for hunting. He +had 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 these +Indians--when you come to consider that fifty warlike nations of them +live 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 dog +or a poisonous spider,--I say, when you consider these things, you will +wonder that this old French or Corsican father should consent to let his +sons go upon so dangerous an expedition. It seems unnatural, does it +not? In fact, quite improbable, when we come to reflect that the +Colonel 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 get +rid 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 the +Indians better than that. He knew very well that their age would not be +cared for, should they chance to fall in with any of the tribes hostile +to the whites. It is true, that the savages might not scalp them on +this account--being boys,--but they would be very certain to carry them +into a captivity from which they might never return. Or did their +father anticipate that the excursion should extend no farther than the +country of some friendly tribe? He entertained no such idea. Had this +been their plan, their errand would have been likely to prove fruitless. +In a country of that sort they would have seen but little of the +buffalo; for it is well-known that the buffaloes are only found in +plenty upon those parts of the prairies termed "war grounds"--that is, +where several tribes go to hunt, who are at war with each other. In +fact, that is the reason why these animals are more numerous there than +elsewhere, as the hunters are fewer, on account of the danger they incur +of coming into collision with each other. In a territory which is +exclusively in possession of any particular tribe, the buffaloes are +soon killed or run off by incessant hunting. It is a fact, therefore, +well-known among prairie-hunters, that wherever buffaloes are plenty +there is plenty of danger as well, though the converse of this is not +always true. On the neutral or "war grounds" of the Indians, you may +meet with a friendly tribe one day, and on the next, or even within the +next hour, you may fall in with a band of savages who will scalp you on +sight. + +Now, the father of our three boy hunters knew all this, as well as I +know it. How then are we to account for his apparently unnatural +conduct, 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 to +start, the Colonel hobbled up; and, drawing from his pocket a small +leathern bag or case ornamented with stained porcupine quills, he handed +it to Basil, saying as he did so: "_Take good care of it, Basil_--_you +know its use_--_never let it part from you_--_your lives may depend upon +it. God be with you, my brave boys. Adieu_!" Basil took the case, +passed the string over his shoulders, pushed the bag under the breast of +his hunting-shirt, pressed his father's hand, and putting the spur to +his horse rode briskly off. Lucien saluted his father with a kiss, +waved his hand gracefully to Hugot, and followed. Francois remained a +moment behind the rest--rode up to Hugot--caught hold of his great +moustache, gave it a twitch that caused the _ex-chasseur_ to grin again; +and then, with a loud yell of laughter, wheeled his pony, and galloped +after his brothers. + +The Colonel and Hugot stood for some moments watching them. When the +boy hunters had reached the edge of the woods, all three reined up, +turned in their saddles, and, taking off their hats, uttered a parting +cheer. The Colonel and Hugot cheered in return. When the noise had +subsided, 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 riding +under the shadows of majestic woods. At this time there were few white +settlements west of the Mississippi river. The small towns upon its +banks, 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 ride +in a westerly direction would carry the traveller clear of all these, +and launch him at once into the labyrinth of swamps and woods, that +stretched away for hundreds of miles before him. It is true, there were +some scattered settlements upon the bayous farther west, but most of the +country between them was a wilderness. + +In an hour or so our travellers had ridden clear of the settlements that +surrounded Point Coupee, and were following the forest "trails," rarely +travelled except by roving Indians, or the white hunters of the border +country. The boys knew them well. They had often passed that way on +former hunting expeditions. + +I shall not detail too minutely the events that occurred along their +line of march. This would tire you, and take up too much space. I +shall take you at once to their first encampment, where they had halted +for the night. + +It was in a small glade or opening, such as are often met with in the +forests west of the Mississippi. There was about an acre of clear +ground, covered with grass and flowers, among which helianthus and blue +lupines were conspicuous. Tall trees grew all around; and you could +tell from their leaves that these trees were of different kinds. You +might have told that from their trunks as well, for these were unlike +each other. Some were smooth, while upon others the bark was cracked, +and crisped outward in large scales a foot or more in length. The +beautiful tulip-tree (_liriodendron_) was easily distinguished by its +straight column-like trunks, out of which are sawed those great planks +of _white poplar_ you may have seen, for that is the name by which it is +known among carpenters and builders. The name of _tulip-tree_ comes +from its flowers, which in size and shape very much resemble tulips, and +are of a greenish-yellow colour tinged with orange. It was the +characteristic tree around the glade. There were many others, though; +and most conspicuous, with its large wax-like leaves and blossoms, was +the magnolia grandiflora. The lofty sugar-maple (_acer saccharinum_) +was seen, and lower down the leafy buck-eye (_aesculus flava_) with its +pretty orange-flowers, and the shell-bark hickory--the _juglans alba_ of +the botanists. Huge creeping plants stretched from tree to tree, or ran +slanting upward; and on one side of the glade you might observe the +thick cane-reeds (_arundo gigantea_), growing like tall grass. The +forest on the other side was more open; no doubt, because some former +fire had burned down the underwood in that direction. The fan-like +leaves of palmettos and yuccas growing all around, gave a southern and +tropical aspect to the scene. + +The young hunters had halted nearly two hours before sunset, in order to +give time to prepare their night-camp. About half-an-hour after their +halt, the little glade presented a picture somewhat as follows:--Near +its edge stood a small canvas tent, like a white cone or pyramid. The +fly, or opening, was thrown back, for the evening was fine, and there +was no one inside. A little to one side of the tent lay three saddles +upon the grass. They were of the Mexican fashion, with high pommel and +cantle, a "horn" in front, with a staple and ring firmly fastened in the +wood of the tree. There were several thongs of leather fastened to +other rings behind the cantle; but the stirrups were steel ones, and not +those clumsy blocks of wood which so much disfigure the Mexican saddle. +Beside the saddles was an odd-looking object. It resembled a gigantic +book, 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 keep +it from running forward upon the shoulders of the animal that might wear +it. At a short distance from the saddles, several blankets--red and +green ones--with a bear-skin and a couple of buffalo-robes, were lying +upon the grass; and on a branch overhead hung whips, bridles, +water-gourds, and spurs. Against the trunk of a tulip-tree, that +towered over the tent, rested three guns. Two of them were rifles, of +which one was much longer than the other: the third piece was a +double-barrelled shot gun. Bullet-pouches and powder-horns hung from +the muzzles of all three, their straps being suspended from the +projecting ends of the rammers. + +On the opposite or leeward side of the tent a fire was burning. It had +not been long kindled, and crackled as it blazed. You could easily have +told the strong red flame to be that of the shell-bark hickory--the best +firewood--though dry sticks of some lighter wood had been used to kindle +it. 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 of +sheet-iron was suspended upon it and over the fire, and the water in the +kettle was just beginning to boil. Other utensils were strewed around. +There was a frying-pan, some tin cups, several small packages containing +flour, dried meat, and coffee; a coffee-pot of strong tin, a small +spade, 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; Lucien +was attending to the fire which he has just kindled; while Francois was +making the feathers fly out of a brace of wild pigeons he had shot on +the way. No two of the three were dressed alike. Basil was all +buckskin--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 with +beads. A belt fastened it around his waist, from which was suspended +his hunting-knife and sheath, with a small holster, out of which peeped +the shining butt of a pistol. He wore deerskin leggings fringed down +the seams, and mocassins upon his feet. His dress was just that of a +backwoods' hunter, except that his cotton under-garments looked finer +and cleaner, and altogether his hunting-shirt was more tastefully +embroidered 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 same +material. He had laced buskins on his feet, and a broad-brimmed Panama +hat on his head. Lucien's dress was somewhat more civilised in its +appearance than that of his elder brother. Like him though he had a +leather belt, with a sheath and knife on one side; and, instead of a +pistol, a small tomahawk on the other. Not that Lucien had set out with +the intention of tomahawking anybody. No; he carried his little hatchet +for cracking rocks, not skulls. Lucien's was a geological tomahawk. + +Francois was still in roundabout jacket with trousers. He wore leggings +over his trousers, and mocassins upon his feet, with a cloth cap set +jauntily over his luxuriant curls. He, too, was belted with +hunting-knife and sheath, and a very small pistol hung upon his left +thigh. + +Out near the middle of the glade were three horses picketed on +lasso-ropes, so that they might not interfere with each other whilst +browsing. They were very different in appearance. One was a large +brown-black horse--a half-Arab--evidently endowed with great strength +and spirit. That was Basil's horse, and deservedly a favourite. His +name was "Black Hawk"--so called after the famous chief of the Sacs and +Foxes, who was a friend of the old Colonel, and who had once entertained +the latter when on a visit to these Indians. The second horse was a +very 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. Hence +his name, which was "Le Bourgeois." Of course he was ridden by the +quiet Lucien. The third horse might have been termed a pony--if size be +considered--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 breed +taken by the Spanish conquerors to the New World, and now known +throughout the western country as "mustangs." As I shall have reason to +say more of these beautiful creatures by and by, I shall only state +here, that the one in question was spotted like a pard, and answered to +the name "Le Chat" (the cat)--particularly when Francois called him, for +he was Francois' horse. + +A little apart from the horses was another animal, of a dirty slate +colour, with some white marks along the back and shoulders. That was a +true-bred Mexican mule, wiry and wicked as any of its race. It was a +she-mule, and was called Jeanette. Jeanette was tethered beyond kicking +distance of the horses; for between her and the mustang there existed no +friendly feeling. Jeanette was the owner of the odd-looking saddle--the +pack. Jeanette's duty was to carry the tent, the provisions, the +implements, 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 might +have mistaken him for a panther--a cougar. His long black muzzle and +broad hanging ears gave him quite a different appearance, however; and +told you that he was a hound. He was, in fact, a blood-hound, with the +cross 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 Boy +hunters. + + + +CHAPTER SIX. + +A FOX-SQUIRREL IN A FIX. + +Francois soon finished dressing his pigeons, and plunged them into the +boiling-water. A piece of dried meat was added, and then some salt and +pepper, drawn from the store-bag, for it was the intention of Francois +to make pigeon-soup. He next proceeded to beat up a little flour with +water, 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 variety +of green stuff in this neighbourhood. Let me see what can be done." + +So saying, Lucien walked about the glade with his eyes bent upon the +ground. He seemed to find nothing among the grass and herbs that would +do; and presently he strayed off among trees, towards the banks of a +little stream that ran close by. In a few minutes he was seen returning +with both his hands full of vegetables. He made no remark, but flung +them down before Francois. There were two species--one that resembled a +small turnip, and, in fact, was the Indian turnip (_psoralea +esculenta_), while the other was the wild onion found in many parts of +America. + +"Ha!" cried Francois, who at once recognised them, "what luck! +_pomme-blanche_, and wild onions too, as I live! Now I shall make a +soup worth tasting." + +And he proceeded with great glee to cut up the vegetables, and fling +them into the steaming kettle. + +In a short while the meat and pigeons were boiled, and the soup was +ready. The kettle was taken from the crane; and the three brothers, +seating themselves on the grass, filled their tin cups, and set to +eating. 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; and +when this, too, should be exhausted, it was their intention to go +without bread altogether, as they had often done on like excursions +before. + +While thus enjoying their pigeon-soup and picking the bones of the plump +birds, the attention of all three was suddenly arrested by a movement +near one side of the glade. They had just caught a glimpse of something +that looked like a flash of yellow light shooting up in a straight +direction from the ground. + +All three guessed what it was--the lightning passage of a squirrel up +the trunk of a tree; and there was the animal itself, clinging flat +against 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, and +such a beauty! See! it is marked like a tortoise-shell cat! Papa would +give twenty dollars for such a skin." + +"He shall have it for far less," rejoined Francois, stealing towards his +gun. + +"Stop, Francois!" said Lucien. "Let Basil try it with his rifle--he is +a surer shot than you." + +"Very well," replied Francois; "but if he should miss, it's no harm for +me to be ready." + +Basil had already risen, and was silently making for the guns. On +reaching them, he took the long rifle, and turned in the direction of +the game. At the same moment Francois armed himself with his +double-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 stood +somewhat apart from the others, out in the open ground. There was +little else standing but the naked trunks, which rose like a column to +the height of sixty feet. The branches had all been swept away by the +wind, with one exception; and this was a long limb that stretched +diagonally upward from the top of the trunk. The limb, although crooked +and forking in several places, was not very thick. It was without twigs +or leaves, being of course, like the tree itself, dead. + +Whilst Basil and Francois were preparing their guns, the squirrel had +made a second rush to the top of this limb; where it sat itself down in +a fork, and appeared to contemplate the setting sun. No better mark +could 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 to +regard the presence either of them or their horses--thus showing that it +had never been hunted. With its bushy tail erect, and spread like a +fan, it sat upon its haunches, appearing to enjoy the warm beams that +came from the west. + +The boys moved softly around the glade, Basil going foremost. When +within range, as he thought, he raised his rifle, levelled it, and was +about to pull trigger, when the squirrel, that up to this moment had not +noticed him, gave a sudden start, dropped its tail, and ran down the +limb as if terrified. It did not stop until it had reached the main +trunk. There it halted, a foot or two from the head, and lay flat +against the bark. + +What could have alarmed it? Not the boys, for it had not minded them +before; moreover, it still kept upon their side of the tree, offering as +fair 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 of +them; for, as it lay horizontally along the bark, its head was turned +upward, and showed, by a peculiar motion, that it dreaded some enemy +from above. And this was the fact, for high up and directly over the +tree, 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 branch +was over their heads, so that the bird did not see them, or, intent upon +striking his prey, did not care for their presence at the moment. + +Lucien had scarcely spoken, when the hawk, that had hitherto been +sailing with his broad wings expanded, suddenly narrowed his tail, drew +in his wings, and came down with a loud "whish-sh-sh!" He dropped +almost perpendicularly, grazing the squirrel so closely, that all three +looked for it in his talons as he flew off again. Not so, however. The +squirrel had been upon his guard; and, as the hawk swooped down, had +doubled around the tree with the quickness of a flash of lightning. By +the guidance of his rudder-like tail the hawk soon turned, and flew +round to that side of the tree on which the squirrel had now settled. A +few strokes of his powerful wings soon enabled him to reach the proper +elevation; and again he swooped downward at his intended victim. The +squirrel avoided him as before, and came back on the other side of the +trunk. Again the hawk doubled, rose, darted downward at his prey, +missed it, and swept on. A fourth attempt met with like success, and +the bird once more flew back into the air, but still kept circling over +the tree. + +"It's a wonder old foxy doesn't take to another tree," muttered +Francois; "one with branches enough to shelter him, or to his own tree +where his hole is. There he would be safe." + +"That's exactly what he wishes to do," replied Lucien. "But see! his +enemy is directly over him. There's no tree near enough, and if he +attempted to run along the open ground, the hawk would be down upon him +like a shot. You saw how suddenly he dropped before?" + +This was, in fact, the situation in which the squirrel was. It was +evident he regarded the trees at some distance with a wistful and +anxious look; for, although he had succeeded so far in baffling his +enemy, he still appeared to suffer from suspense and fear. + +As soon as the hawk had risen a dozen yards or so above the tree, he +again 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 of +different import, as if a call to some comrade. It was so in fact, for +in a moment it was answered from a distant part of the woods; and the +next moment, another hawk--red-tailed like himself, but much larger--was +seen soaring upwards. This was evidently his mate--for the female of +these birds is always much larger than the males. The two soon came +together, and wheeled above the tree, crossing each other's orbit, and +looking downward. The squirrel now appeared doubly terrified--for he +well knew their intent. He began to run around the trunk, looking +outward at intervals, as though he intended to leap off and take to the +thick woods. + +The hawks did not allow him long time to make up his mind. The smaller +one swooped first, but missed the squirrel as before, driving him around +the trunk. There the frightened creature had scarcely halted, when the +great hen-hawk came at him with a whistling rush, and sent him back to +the other side. The male bird had by this time turned and now darted +with such suddenness and precision, that the squirrel, unable to pass +round the tree again, sprang off into the air. Guided by his broad tail +the hawk followed, and before the squirrel could reach the ground, the +bird 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 from +behind, and both hawk and squirrel fell heavily to the earth. Another +crack followed, almost instantaneously, and his mate, the great +hen-hawk, came tumbling down with a broken wing, and fluttered over the +grass, screaming like a cat. She was soon silenced by a stroke from the +butt of Francois' gun--both barrels of which were now empty--for it was +Francois that had done the business for the red-tails. + +What was most singular of all, the squirrel was not killed either by the +shot or the fall. On the contrary, as Lucien was deliberately stooping +to pick it up--congratulating himself all the while upon his prize--it +suddenly made a spring, shook itself clear of the claws of the dead +hawk; and, streaking off into the woods, ran up a tall tree. All three +followed as fast as they could run; but on reaching the tree--an oak +five feet thick--they saw, to their mortification, the squirrel's hole +about fifty feet from the ground, which, of course, brought that +squirrel 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 and +there expands itself into large ponds or lakes. It is called Bayou +Crocodile from the great number of alligators that infest its waters, +though in this respect it differs but little from the other rivers of +Louisiana. + +The spot chosen for the camp was an open space upon the bank, at a point +where the bayou widened into a small lake. The situation commanded a +view 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 from +their spreading branches the Spanish moss hung trailing down like long +streamers of silver thread. This gave the upper part of the woods a +somewhat hoary appearance, and would have rendered the scene rather a +melancholy one, had it not been for the more brilliant foliage that +relieved it. Here and there a green magnolia glistened in the sun, with +its broad white flowers, each of them as large as a dining-plate. +Underneath grew the thick cane (_arundo gigantea_), its tall pale-green +reeds standing parallel to each other, and ending in lance-shaped +blades, like stalks of giant wheat before its ears have shot. Over this +again rose the grey limbs of the tupeloo-tree (_nyssa aquatica_), with +light leaves and thin foliage. The beautiful palmetto (_chamaerops_) +lifted its fan-like branches, as if to screen the earth from the hot sun +that poured down upon it, and here and there its singular shapes were +shadowed in the water. From tree to tree huge parasites stretched like +cables--vines, and lianas, and various species of convolvulus. Some of +these were covered with thick foliage, while others exhibited a surface +of splendid flowers. The scarlet cups of the trumpet-vine (_bignonia_), +the white starlike blossoms of the cypress-creeper, and the pink flowers +of the wild althea or cotton-rose (_hibiscus grandiflora_), all blended +their colours, inviting the large painted butterflies and ruby-throated +humming birds that played among their silken corollas. As if in +contrast with these bright spots in the landscape, there were others +that looked dark and gloomy. You could see through long vistas in the +forest, where the trees grew out of green slimy water. Here there was +no underwood, either of cane or palmettoes. The black trunks of the +cypresses rose branchless for nearly an hundred feet, and from their +spreading limbs drooped the grey weeping moss. Huge "knees" could be +distinguished shooting up like cones or trees that had been broken off +leaving their broken trunks in the ground. Sometimes a huge creeper, a +foot or more in diameter, stretched across these gloomy aisles, as +though a monster serpent were passing from tree to tree. + +The lake was alive with alligators. These could be seen basking along +the low banks, or crawling away into the dark and shadowy swamp. Some +were floating gently on the surface of the stream, their long crests and +notched backs protruding above the water. When not in motion these +hideous creatures resembled dead logs of wood; and most of them were +lying quiet--partly from their natural disinclination to move about, and +partly waiting for their prey. Those that basked upon the banks held +their jaws expanded, that at intervals were heard to close with a loud +snap. These were amusing themselves by catching the flies, that, +attracted by the musky odour, flew around their hideous jaws, and lit +upon their slimy tongues. Some were fishing in the stream, and at +intervals the stroke of their tails upon the water could be heard at the +distance of half a mile or more. Their croaking resounded through the +woods somewhat like the noise made by bull-frogs, but loud and terrible +as the bellowing of bulls. A horrid appearance they presented; but our +hunters 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 a +company of soldiers, their scarlet plumage shining in the sun. Near +them 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-formed +Louisiana heron, with droves of sand-hill cranes, appearing in the +distance like flocks of white sheep. + +Pelicans, with their pouched throats and scythe-like bills, stood in +melancholy attitudes, and beside them were the white and scarlet ibis, +and the purple gallinule. Roseate spoonbills waded through the +shallows, striking their odd-shaped beaks at the crabs and cray-fish; +and upon projecting limbs of trees perched the black darter, his long +snake-like neck stretched eagerly over the water. In the air a flock of +buzzard vultures were wheeling lazily about, and a pair of ospreys hung +over 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 to +be witnessed among the wilderness-swamps of Louisiana. + +The tent was set near the bank of the bayou, where the ground was dry +and high. The spot was open--only a few scattered palmettos growing +over it--and the animals were picketed upon the grass near by. There +was venison for supper. Basil's unerring rifle had brought down a doe, +just as they were about to halt; and Basil was an accomplished butcher +of such-like game. The doe was soon skinned, and the choice pieces cut +out--enough to serve for supper and breakfast upon the following +morning. The haunches were hung on a limb, to be carried along, as the +next day's hunt might not turn out so successful. There was still +enough left to make a splendid supper for Marengo, and that hungry +animal took full advantage of the occasion. He knew that in an +excursion like the present it was not every day that a fat doe turned +up; or when it did, that such a portion of its carcass was likely to +fall to his share. + +It was still early, wanting full two hours of sunset, when the hunters +finished their supper--dinner it should rather be called--as, with the +exception of some dry mouthfuls at their noon halt, they had not eaten +since breakfast. + +When the meal was over, Basil again looked to repairing the harness of +the mule--that had got out of order on the march--while Lucien drew out +his note-book and pencil, and, sitting down upon a buffalo-robe, +commenced entering his observations for the day. Francois having no +employment, resolved upon creeping around the edge of the bayou, to have +a 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 to +try it; and, having told his brothers of his intention, he shouldered +his gun and went off. + +He was soon out of sight, having passed into some thick timber that grew +along the edge of the water, through which there was a plain trail made +by deer and other wild animals. He kept along this trail, sheltering +himself behind the trees, so that the flamingoes, that were several +hundred yards farther down the bayou, might not see him as he +approached. + +He had not been out of sight more than five minutes, when Basil and +Lucien were startled by the report of a gun, and then another following +quickly after. They knew it was Francois' fowling-piece; but what had +he fired at? It could not have been the flamingoes, as he had not had +time to get within range of them. Besides, the birds, where they had +been sitting on the far shore, were visible from the camp; and all of +them, affrighted by the reports, were now seen winging their way over +the tops of the trees. No, it could not have been at the flamingoes +Francois had fired. What then? This was the question which Basil and +Lucien put to each other, not without some feelings of anxiety. +Perhaps, thought they, Francois has sprung a deer, or trampled up a +flock of turkeys? So the brothers were fain to conjecture; but their +conjectures were soon ended by Francois himself, who was heard far off +through the woods, shouting in a fearful manner. + +Basil and Lucien seized their rifles, and ran forward to find him; but +before they could reach the piece of timber, Francois was seen coming up +the trail between the trees, and running as if for his life! In front +of him an object appeared, like a dead log, lying directly across the +path. It could not be that, for it was in motion. It was a living +animal--an alligator! + +It was one, too, of the largest dimensions--nearly twenty feet in +length, and lay right across the path. Basil and Lucien saw it the +moment they got opposite the opening. They saw, too, it was not that +which was putting Francois to his speed, for he was running directly +upon it. Something behind him occupied all his thoughts, and he did not +see the alligator at all; for, although his brothers shouted to warn +him, 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 he +fell. He was not hurt, however, but, scrambling to his feet again, +continued his race, shouting, as he emerged half breathless out of the +bushes, "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. It +was at him Francois had fired. The small shot had only served to +irritate him; and, seeing such a puny antagonist as Francois, he had +given chase. + +At first they all thought of taking to their heels, and seeking safety +by mounting their horses; but the bear had got too near, and one or +other might be caught before they could reach the horses and loose them. +They resolved, therefore, to make a stand. Basil, who had been at the +killing of a black bear before now, was not so much afraid of the +encounter; so he and Lucien held their rifles in readiness to give Bruin +a warm reception. + +The latter came lumbering on, until he had reached the place where the +alligator lay. The reptile had turned itself half round, and was now +standing on its short legs, lengthwise along the path, puffing like a +pair of blacksmith's bellows. The bear, intent upon his pursuit of +Francois, did not see it until he had stumbled right upon its body; and +then, uttering a loud snort, he leaped to one side. This gave the +alligator the very opportunity he would have sought; and the next moment +his powerful tail was lashed with such force against the bear, that the +ribs of the latter were heard to crack under the blow. + +The bear--who would otherwise have left the alligator to himself--became +so infuriated at this unprovoked assault, that he turned and sprang upon +his new enemy, seizing him round the body in a firm hug. Both struggled +over the ground, the one growling and snorting, while the other uttered +a sound like the routing of a bull. + +How long the conflict would have lasted, and which would have proved +victor had they been left to themselves, is not known; for Basil and +Lucien 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 of +his feet in his powerful jaws and thus held him fast, all the while +crawling and dragging him down to the water. The bear was evidently +aware of the intention of his antagonist, and uttered loud and pitiful +moanings, at times screaming like a hog under the knife of the butcher. +It was all to no purpose. His unrelenting enemy gained the bank; and +dragging him along, plunged into the deep water. Both went down +together--completely disappearing from the eyes of the spectators--and +although the boys watched for nearly an hour, neither beast nor reptile +were seen to rise again to the surface. The bear no doubt had been +drowned at once, and the alligator, after having suffocated him, had +hidden his carcass in the mud, or dragged it along the bottom to some +other 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 by +the scene they had just witnessed. They lay down upon the grass, and +entered into a conversation, of which bears and alligators formed the +subjects. The latter, however, with their singular and revolting +habits, came in for the greater share of their talk. Many odd stories +in relation to them were known to all, even to the little Francois; and +Basil being an old hunter among the swamps and bayous, was acquainted +with many of the habits of these animals. But Basil was not much of an +observer; and he had only noticed such peculiarities as, from time to +time, were forced upon his attention by the incidents of the chase. +Lucien, however, had more closely observed their habits, and had also +studied them from books. He was, therefore, well acquainted with all +that is known to the naturalist concerning these animals; and at the +request of his brothers he consented to while away the twilight hours, +by imparting to them such information about them as he himself +possessed. + +"The alligator," began he, "belongs to the order _Sauria_, or lizards. +This order is again divided into several families, one of which is +termed _Crocodilida_, or crocodiles; and the family of crocodiles is +subdivided 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 crocodile +family--at least, there are not more known to naturalists." + +"Then I was thinking why there should be all this division and +subdivision into orders, families, genera, and species, for a dozen +varieties of the same animal, and these all so like each other in shape +and 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 quite +useless." + +"The object of this classing is to make the study of their natural +history more easy and simple. But you are right, brother, in the +present case; it appears quite useless, and only renders the thing more +complex, and obscure. Where there are many varieties or species of a +family or order of animals, and where these species differ widely from +each other in appearance and habits, then such minute classifications +become necessary to assist one's memory; but I say again, brother, you +are quite right as to the present case. There is no need for the +numerous divisions and subdivisions which have been made of the +crocodile 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 an +expression of mingled indignation and contempt. + +"What is there in it to make one angry?" inquired Basil, looking up at +his brother with some astonishment. + +"Why, to think," answered Lucien, "that these same closet-naturalists +should have built themselves up great names by sitting in their easy +chairs measuring, and adding up, and classing into dry catalogues, +objects which they knew very little about; and that little they obtained +from the observations of others--true naturalists--men like the great +Wilson--men who toiled, and travelled, and exposed themselves to +countless dangers and fatigues for the purpose of collecting and +observing; and then for these men to have the fruits of their labours +filched from them, and descanted upon in dry arithmetical terms by these +same catalogue-makers.--Bah!" + +"Stay, brother; Wilson was not robbed of the fruits of his labours! He +became famous." + +"Yes, and he died from the struggles and hardships that made him so. It +reminds me of the fabled song of the swan, brother. He told his +beautiful 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 so +much talked of, shall be forgotten, or only remembered to have their +quaint theories laughed at, and their fabulous descriptions turned into +ridicule. Fortunately for Wilson, he was too poor and too humble to +attract their patronage until his book was published. Fortunately for +him he knew no great Linneus or Count Buffon, else the vast stores which +he had been at so much pains to collect would have been given to the +world 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 John +Bartram, a farmer of Pennsylvania, who lived an hundred years ago, did +more to spread, not only a knowledge of American plants, but the plants +themselves, than any one who has lived since. Most of the great gardens +of England--Kew among the rest--are indebted to this indefatigable +botanist for their American flora; and there were few of the naturalists +of that time--Linneus not excepted--that were not largely indebted to +him for their facts and their fame. They took his plants and +specimens--collected by arduous, toilsome, and perilous journeyings-- +they put names to them--noble and kingly names--for king-sycophants most +of them were, these same naturalists--they _described_ them as _they_ +call it--such descriptions, indeed! and then adopted them as their own +discoveries. And what did they give John Bartram in return for all his +trouble? Why, the English king gave him 50 pounds to enable him to +travel 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, and +sending over the first magnolias and tulip-trees that ever blossomed in +England! What did the scientific naturalists do for him? They stole +his histories and descriptions, and published them under their own +names. Now, brothers, what think you of it? Is it not enough to spoil +one'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 are +indebted for all we know of natural history--at least, all that is worth +knowing. What to us is the dry knowledge of scientific classifications? +For my part, I believe that the authors of them have obscured rather +than simplified the knowledge of natural history. Take an example. +There is one before our eyes. You see those long streamers hanging down +from the live oaks?" + +"Yes, yes," replied Francois; "the Spanish moss." + +"Yes, Spanish moss, as we call it here, or _old-man's-beard_ moss, as +they name it in other parts. It is no moss, however, but a regular +flowering plant, although a strange one. Now, according to these +philosophic naturalists, that long, stringy, silvery creeper, that looks +very like an old man's beard, is of the same family of plants as the +pineapple!" + +"Ha! ha! ha!" roared Francois; "Spanish moss the same as a pineapple +plant! Why, they are no more like than my hat is to the steeple of a +church." + +"They are unlike," continued Lucien, "in every respect--in appearance, +in properties, and uses; and yet, were you to consult the dry books of +the closet-naturalists, you would learn that this Spanish moss +(_Tillandsia_) was of a certain family of plants, and a few particulars +of that sort, and that is all you would learn about it. Now what is the +value of such a knowledge? What is it to compare with a knowledge of +the appearance, the structure, and character of the plant--of its +properties and the ends for which nature designed it--of its uses to the +birds and beasts around--of its uses to man--how it makes his mattress +to sleep on, stuffs his sofas, and saddles, and chairs equal to the best +horse-hair, and would even feed his horse in case of a pinch? In my +opinion, these are the facts worth knowing; and who are the men who +publish such facts to the world? Not your closet-naturalists, I fancy." + +"True, very true, brother; but let us not vex ourselves about such +things; go on, and tell us what you know of the crocodiles." + +"Well, then," said Lucien, returning to his natural tone and manner, "as +I have already said, the crocodiles are divided into three +genera--_crocodiles_, _gavials_, and _alligators_. It is Baron Cuvier +who has made this distinction; and he rests it more upon the shape of +the head and the set of the teeth, than upon any real difference in the +appearance 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. `These +are the _true_ crocodiles,' says Monsieur Cuvier. The gavials have also +long, pointed, narrow, roundish snouts, but their teeth are nearly +equal-sized and even. The alligators, on the contrary, have broad +pike-shaped noses, with teeth very unequal, and one large one on each +side of the lower jaw, that, when the mouth shuts, passes--not into a +groove as with the crocodile--but, into a hole or socket in the upper +jaw. These are Monsieur Cuvier's distinctions; which he takes a world +of pains to point out and prove. He might, in my opinion, have spared +himself the trouble, as there are so few varieties of the animal in +existence, that they might have been treated of with greater simplicity +as so many species of the genus `crocodile.' + +"Of the true crocodiles there are five species known. Four of these are +found in the rivers of Africa, while the fifth is an inhabitant of the +West Indies and South America. The gavial is found in Asia-- +particularly in the Ganges and other Indian rivers, and is the crocodile +of those parts. The alligator belongs to America, where it is +distributed extensively both in North and South America. In the Spanish +parts it is called `caiman,' and there are two species well-known, viz +the spectacled caiman of Guiana, and the alligator of the Mississippi. +No doubt, when the great rivers of South America have been properly +explored, it will come to light, that there are other varieties than +these. I have heard of a species that inhabits the Lake Valencia in +Venezuela, and which differs from both the American species mentioned. +It is smaller than either, and is much sought after by the Indians for +its flesh, which these people eat, and of which they are particularly +fond. It is probable, too, that new species of crocodiles may yet be +found in Africa and the islands of the Indian Ocean. + +"Now I think it is a well-ascertained fact, that all these varieties of +the crocodile family have pretty much the same habits,--differing only +where such difference might be expected by reason of climate, food, or +other circumstances. What I shall tell you of the alligator, then, will +apply in a general way to all his scaly cousins. You know his colour,-- +dusky-brown above, and dirty yellowish-white underneath. You know that +he is covered all over with scales, and you see that on his back these +scales rise into protuberances like little pyramids, and that a row of +them along the upper edge of his tail give it a notched, saw-like +appearance. You notice that the tail is flattened vertically, and not +like the tail of the beaver, which is compressed horizontally. You +observe that the legs are short and very muscular--that there are five +toes on the fore-feet, slightly webbed or palmated, and four on the +hind-feet much longer and much more webbed. You notice that his head is +somewhat like that of a pike, that the nostrils are near the end of the +snout, the eyes prominent, and the opening of the ears just behind them. +His eyes have dark pupils, with a lemon-coloured iris; and the pupils +are not round, as in the eye of a man, but of an oval shape, something +like those of a goat. + +"All these things you may observe by looking at an alligator. But there +are some things about the structure of the animal which are peculiar, +and which may not strike you so readily. You observe that his jaws open +far back--even beyond the ears--where they are hinged or articulated +into each other. Now this is a peculiar formation, and the effect is, +that when the alligator opens his mouth, his neck becomes somewhat bent +upwards, giving him the appearance of having moved the upper instead of +the 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, who +first propagated this absurd idea. It is not the fact, however. It is +the lower jaw that moves, as in other vertebrated animals; but the +appearance I have described leads to the mistake that has been made by +careless observers. There is another point worth speaking of. The +opening of the alligator's ear is guarded by a pair of lips, which he +closes the moment he goes under water. His nostrils, too, are protected +by valves, which he can also close at will. There is also a peculiarity +about his vertebrae. These are so jointed to each other, that he cannot +turn without describing a circle with his body. He can move his head +but slightly to one side or the other; and this is a fortunate +circumstance, if not for him, at least for his enemies. Were he able to +turn short round, or twist himself about, as serpents do, he would be a +most dangerous creature to encounter. As it is, the great length of his +body, combined with the shortness of his legs and the impossibility of +his getting round quickly, renders him an easy antagonist on land, +provided you keep out of reach of his great jaws, and beyond the sweep +of his powerful tail. This last is his true weapon of offence or +defence; and as _it_ is not restrained by any vertebrae, he can use it +with such effect as to knock the breath out of a man with one single +flap. Many of the habits of the alligator are known to you. How the +female lays eggs as big as those of a goose, and buries them in the +sand, where they are hatched by the heat of the sun. Sometimes she +cannot find a sandbank to suit her purpose. She then raises a circular +platform of mud mixed with grass and sticks. Upon this she deposits a +layer of eggs, and covers them over with several inches of mud and +grass. She then lays a fresh tier of eggs, covering these also with +mud, and so on until she has laid her whole hatching, which often +amounts 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 until +it assumes the appearance of a mud oven or beaver-house. All these +pains she takes to protect her eggs from raccoons and turtles, as well +as vultures and other birds, that are very fond of them. She haunts +near the spot while the eggs are hatching, so as to keep off these +enemies. When the young are out, her first care is to get them to the +water out of the way of such dangers. This seems to be their first +instinct, too; for no sooner are they free from the shell than they are +seen scuttling off in that direction, or following their mother, many of +them having climbed upon her back and shoulders." + +"But, brother," interrupted Francois, "is it true that the old males eat +their own young?" + +"Horrible though it be, it is perfectly true, Francois. I myself have +seen it." + +"And I," said Basil, "several times." + +"The first care of the mother is to get them to the water, where she can +better conceal them from their unnatural parent; but, notwithstanding +all her precautions, many of them fall victims, both to the old +alligators, and the larger tortoises, and birds. As soon as the young +ones have learned a little sense, if I may so speak, they elude their +monster fathers and uncles, as they are nimbler in their movements, and +can keep out of reach of their great jaws and tails. I have often seen +the small alligators riding upon the backs of the larger ones, knowing +that the latter could not reach them in that situation." + +"They appear to eat anything that comes in their way," remarked +Francois. + +"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 is +believed they prefer it in a state of putrefaction. That is a doubtful +point. They have been known to kill large animals in the water, and +leave them at the bottom for several days; but this may have happened +because they were not hungry at the time, and were merely keeping them +until they should get an appetite. The process of digestion with them, +as with all reptiles, is very slow; hence they do not require such +quantities of food as the warm-blooded animals--mammals and birds. For +instance, they bury themselves in the mud, and lie asleep during the +whole winter without any food." + +"You say fish is their favourite food, Luce," said Basil; "now I think +they are fonder of dogs than anything else. I have often known them to +come where they had heard the yelping of a dog as if for the purpose of +devouring it. I have seen one seize a large dog that was swimming +across the Bayou Boeuf, and drag him under, as quick as a trout would +have taken a fly. The dog was never seen again." + +"It is very true," replied Lucien, "that they will eat dogs, as they +will any other animals; but their being particularly fond of them is a +point about which naturalists differ. It is true they will approach the +spot where they hear the yelping of a dog; but some say that this is +because it so much resembles the whining of their own young, and that it +is 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 the +females followed to protect them. Great battles are often fought +between the males and females on this account." + +"But how is it, Luce," inquired Francois, "how is it they can catch fish +that appear so much swifter than themselves?" + +"Very few kinds of fish are swifter. The alligator, by means of his +webbed feet, and particularly his flat tail--which acts on the principle +of a stern-oar to a boat, and a rudder as well--can pass through the +water as swiftly as most of the finny tribe. It is not by hunting it +down, however, but by stratagem, that the alligator secures a fish for +his maw." + +"By what stratagem?" + +"You have often noticed them floating on the surface of the water, bent +into a sort of semicircular shape, and without moving either body or +limb?" + +"Yes--yes; I have noticed it many a time." + +"Well, if you could have looked under the water then, you would have +seen a fish somewhere upon the convex side of the semicircle. The fish +would be at rest--no doubt, watching the surface for his own prey: such +flies or beetles as might come along. Thus occupied, he does not heed +the great dusky mass that is gliding slowly towards him, and which +presents no threatening appearance--for the head of the alligator is at +this time turned away from his intended victim. Although apparently +asleep, the alligator knows what he is about well enough. He floats +silently 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, he +strikes the unconscious prey a `slap' that kills it at once--sometimes +throwing it directly into his jaws, and sometimes flinging it several +feet out of the water! + +"When on land the alligator strikes his prey in a similar manner. As he +gives the blow, his head turns so as to meet the tail half-way--the +whole body thus forming a semicircle. Should the prey not be killed by +the 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 and +such substances? I have seen one that was opened, and his stomach was +nearly quarter full of stones as big as my fist, and pieces of sticks +and glass. They looked as if they had been there a long time, for the +sharp edges were worn off. This I never could understand." + +"No wonder, for wiser naturalists than we do not know the reason of +this. Some think it is upon the same principle, and for the same +reason, that birds and other creatures swallow gravel and earth--to +assist the process of digestion. Others have affirmed that it is for +the purpose of distending the stomach, so as to enable the reptile to +bear his long fast while torpid during the winter. This latter reason I +look upon as very absurd, and worthy only of the fabulous Buffon. For +my part, I believe that the rubbish usually found in the alligator's +stomach is collected there by accident--swallowed, from time to time, by +mistake, or along with his prey; for his organs of taste are far from +being delicate, and he will devour anything that is flung into the +water, even a glass bottle. These substances, of course, remain in his +stomach--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 would +that of a human being; nor, indeed, of any of his organs. If our brain +is seriously injured, we die; but an alligator's brain may be altogether +removed, even in the most violent manner, and the animal will crawl off +and live for days after. Instances have been known of alligators having +had their brains blown out by a shot, and yet for hours after they would +give battle to any one who might approach them. Their brain, like that +of all reptiles, is exceedingly small--proving them lower in the scale +of intelligence than birds and mammals." + +"But, Lucien, you tell us that the habits of the crocodile family are +alike, or nearly so: how comes it that the African crocodiles are so +much more fierce, as we have heard, often attacking and devouring the +natives of Senegal and the Upper Nile? Our alligators are not so. It +is true they sometimes bite the legs of our negroes; and we have heard +also of some boys who have been killed by them; but this was when +through negligence they came in the animals' way. They do not attack +one if they are left alone. We, for instance, are not a bit afraid to +approach them with only a stick in our hands." + +"That is, because we feel certain they are too clumsy on land to get at +us, as we can easily leap out of the reach of their tails and jaws. How +would you like to swim across that bayou at this moment? I dare say you +would not venture it." + +"Not a bit of it--you are right there." + +"And if you did, you would, in all probability, be attacked before you +could reach the opposite shore. But our alligators are not now what +they were an hundred years ago. We know, from the best authority, that +they were then much more fierce and dangerous, and often attacked men +without provocation. They have grown afraid of _us_, because they know +that we are dangerous to them; and they can easily distinguish our +upright form and shape from those of other animals. Look how they have +been hunted by men during the mania for alligator-leather, and see how +many of them are still killed for their oil and tails. It is quite +natural, then, they should fear us; and you may notice they are much +more timid near the plantations and settlements than in the wilder +parts. I have no doubt--and I have so heard it--that there are places +in the great swamps where they are still dangerous to approach. Those +who assert that the African crocodiles are more fierce, do not draw +their conclusions from facts. The caimans of South America--and these +are alligators--are quite as fierce as the crocodiles. I have read many +accounts of their attacking the natives of Guiana and Brazil, and +devouring them, too. Much of this is fabulous, no doubt; but there are +some stories of the kind well authenticated, and I have heard one which +I am certain is true. I shall relate it, if you desire, though it is a +very horrible and very melancholy tale, and I could well wish it had not +been 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, and +is 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 a +greater size, and are more fierce in their nature, than upon the +Magdalena, and other great rivers that run into it. These rivers flow +through a low country within the tropics; their climate is of the +hottest kind, and consequently most suitable to the development of the +great reptiles. The indolent character of the natives, too-- +half-Indian, half-Spanish--prevents them from attacking and destroying +these creatures with that energy that is exhibited by the inhabitants of +our own country. The consequence is, that the animals in their turn are +less afraid of man, and often make him their prey. The alligators of +the Magdalena--or `caimans,' as they are there called--frequently +destroy natives, who by any unlucky accident may have fallen into the +waters frequented by them. Not unfrequently the boatmen (_bogadores_) +who navigate the river Magdalena in their _bogas_, or flat boats, drop +overboard, and become the prey of the caimans, as sailors on the ocean +do of sharks. These boatmen sometimes carry rifles, for the purpose of +shooting the caimans; yet there are but few destroyed in this way, as +the 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 of +his body is impervious even to a musket-ball. Of course, to hit one in +the eye requires a sure aim, and a good opportunity when the animal is +lying still upon the bank or on the water. When out of the water a +caiman may be shot in the soft elastic skin behind the fore-shoulder; +but this is a very uncertain method of killing one; and several shots +fired 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 and +spears. Notwithstanding this, the caimans swarm upon these rivers, and +are seldom molested by the inhabitants, except at intervals when some +horrid tragedy happens--when some unfortunate victim has been snatched +off by them, torn in pieces, and devoured. When this occurs, the +people, sympathising with the distress of their neighbour, awake from +their habitual apathy, collect together, and destroy great numbers of +these hideous reptiles. The story I have promised you illustrates an +affair of this kind. + +"A _vaquero_ (cattle-herd) lived upon the Magdalena, some miles above +the city of New Carthagena. His palm-thatched _rancho_, or cottage, +stood at a little distance from the bank of the river, at a point where +it was much infested by caimans--as the country around was wild and +thinly settled. The vaquero had a wife and one child, a daughter--who +was about six or seven years old; and being a pretty little girl, and +the only one, she was of course very dear to both the parents. + +"The vaquero was often absent from home--his business with his cattle +carrying him to a great distance into the woods. But his wife thought +nothing of being thus left alone. She was an Indian woman, and used to +dangers, 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 of +washing them. The river was the only water near the rancho; and by thus +carrying the clothes to it, she saved herself the trouble of fetching +the water a good way; besides, there was a broad, smooth stone by the +bank, where she was accustomed to beat out her linen. Her little +daughter accompanied her, carrying one of the bundles. + +"On reaching the spot, the woman filled her vessels with water, and +commenced her work; while the child, having nothing else to occupy her, +began to gather some ripe guavas, plucking them from a tree that grew +out from the bank, and hung somewhat over the river. While the Indian +mother was thus engaged, she was startled by a wild scream and a plunge, +that were heard almost together; and, on looking round, she saw her +child just sinking in the water. At the same time, she beheld a hideous +object--a huge caiman--making for the spot! Filled with horror, the +woman dropped her linen, and rushed out upon the bank. She did not +hesitate a moment, but plunged into the river, which buried her to the +neck. At that moment the child rose again to the surface. The mother +seized her by the arms; and was about raising her out of the water, when +the caiman swept forward open-mouthed, caught the limbs of the little +girl, and with one crunch of his powerful jaws severed them from the +body! The little girl screamed again; but it was her last scream. When +the mother struggled to the shore, and laid the mutilated body upon the +bank, the child had ceased to breathe. + +"For some moments sat the wretched mother, gazing upon the still +quivering remains. At intervals, she stooped down and kissed the pale, +withering lips. She did not weep. I have said she was an Indian. They +do not act as whites do; but, anyhow, her anguish was too keen to allow +her tears to flow. She did not scream or call for help. It could be of +no use now. It was too late. She knew there was no one near--no one +within 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 the +shadow of the guava bushes, swam the hideous reptile, to and fro. He +had swallowed the morsel, and was eagerly watching for more. + +"The countenance of the woman betrayed a mingled expression of agony and +vengeance. All at once a thought seemed to strike her--a sudden +resolve. She rose; and, casting a look first at the dead body, and then +upon the caiman, hurried off to the house. In a few minutes she came +back, bringing with her a long spear. It was the hunting-spear of her +husband--often used by him in his encounters with the Brazilian tiger, +and other fierce creatures of the forest. She brought also several +other articles--a lasso, some cords of the _pita_, and a couple of +knives. + +"On arriving at the bank, she looked anxiously over. The caiman was +still there; and she turned, and stood for a moment as if considering +what to do. Her mind was soon made up; and, bending forward, she thrust +the spear lengthwise through what remained of her child's body! It was +a fearful act, but the feeling of revenge was strong within her. She +next caught the blade of the spear--now red with blood--and placing the +knives lengthwise--so that they might serve as barbs--tied them firmly +upon it with the _pita_ cord. Close up to these she pushed the mangled +body, and then looped the lasso tightly to the shaft of the spear. The +other end she made fast to the trunk of a guava tree--for she well knew +that her own strength would avail but little against such a monster as +the caiman. + +"When all was ready she poised the shaft, and flung spear, body, and +all, into the water. Then taking the rope in her hand, she crouched +behind the bushes to await the result. + +"She had not long to wait. The reptile, thirsting for more blood, saw +the 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 formed +for that. They are only made for seizing; and the tongue--which they +cannot extend forward--only serves to assist them in swallowing. In a +few moments the body had disappeared down the capacious throat of the +monster. Seeing this, the woman suddenly sprang to her feet, and +dragged violently upon the rope, and the next moment a wild scream +announced that she had succeeded in her intentions. The barbed blades +had taken hold, and the caiman was secured! + +"Finding himself thus caught, the huge reptile dived to the bottom, then +rose again, bellowing loudly, and lashing the water into foam, the blood +all the while running from his jaws and nostrils. At intervals, he +would rush from point to point--until suddenly checked by the strong +raw-hide lasso--making the tree shake with his great strength; and this +he did for a long while. His struggles at length grew fainter, and more +feeble, and he lay motionless in the water. Throughout all this scene +the mother sat upon the bank of the river, at times in deep silence and +dejected, while at intervals her face would light up with a vengeful +expression as she cast her eyes upon the monster that had robbed her of +her child. + +"At length the gallop of a horse roused her from her reverie. She +looked around. It was her husband! + +"The melancholy tale was soon told; and shortly after was carried to +those that dwelt nearest them. The grief was general; and the sympathy +that followed caused a general rising throughout the neighbourhood; and +for several days afterwards a war of extermination was waged against the +caimans. + +"This, brothers," said Lucien, "is a true narrative; and, in fact, it is +only 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 shot +at 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 the +water's edge. None of the alligators appeared to be within range at the +moment, though dozens of them were seen moving about on the bayou. + +"Hold, brother!" shouted Francois. "Have patience a little, and I'll +bring 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 bellowing +of a bull, and so naturally as to deceive even the animals themselves. +Running down towards the bank, he crouched behind some yucca-bushes, and +commenced whining and barking like a young puppy. Basil also concealed +himself 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 bank +where Francois lay concealed, and foremost of all a large male, throwing +up his snout, crawled out of the water. He was calculating, no doubt, +on making a meal of something; but was doomed to disappointment, and +worse 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 sprawling +about for a while, lay motionless. He was quite dead, as the well-aimed +rifle had sent a bullet right into his eye. + +Basil and Francois now showed themselves--as they did not care to waste +their 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's +hatchet, the largest teeth were knocked out of the jaws of the one that +had been killed; and the horrid carcass was left where it lay, to feed +the wolves and vultures, or anything else that chose to make a meal of +it. + +After cooking a pot of coffee and a venison-steak for supper, our +adventurers spread their buffalo-robes within the tent, and went to rest +for the night. + +Next morning they were astir by daybreak; and after breakfasting +heartily, 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 with +buffalo on these great meadows. No. The bison had long since forsaken +the pastures of Opelousas, and gone far westward. In his place +thousands of long horned cattle roamed over these plains; but these, +although wild enough, belonged to owners, and were all marked and tended +by mounted herdsmen. There were white settlements upon the prairies of +Opelousas, but our adventurers did not go out of their way to visit +them. Their purpose was to get far beyond; and they did not wish to +lose time. + +They crossed numerous bayous and rivers, generally running southward +into the Mexican Gulf. The shallow ones they forded, while those that +were too deep for fording, they swam over upon their horses. They +thought nothing of that--for their horses, as well as the mule Jeanette +and 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 Mexican +territory. The face of the country was here very different from most of +that they had passed over. It was more hilly and upland; and the +vegetation had altogether changed. The great dark cypress had +disappeared, and pines were more abundant. The forests were lighter and +more open. + +There was a freshet in the Sabine; but they swam across it, as they had +done other rivers, and halted to encamp upon its western bank. It was +still only a little after noon, but as they had wet their baggage in +crossing, 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 low +trees. There were many open spaces, for the trees stood wide apart, and +the grove looked very much like a deserted orchard. Here and there a +tall magnolia raised its cone-shaped summit high above the rest, and a +huge trunk of one of these, without leaves or branches, appeared at some +distance, standing like an old ruined tower. + +The ground was covered with flowers of many kinds. There were blue +lupins and golden helianthi. There were malvas and purple monardas, and +flowers of the cotton-rose, five inches in diameter. There were +blossoms of vines, and creeping plants, that twined around the trees, or +stretched in festoons from one to another--the cane-vine with its white +clusters, and the raccoon grape, whose sweet odours perfumed the air; +but by far the most showy were the large blossoms of the bignonia, that +covered the festoons with their trumpet-shaped corollas, exhibiting +broad surfaces of bright scarlet. + +In the midst of these flowers our hunters pitched camp, picketing their +animals, and putting up their tent as usual. + +The sun was shining brightly, and they proceeded to spread their wet +robes and blankets. + +"It strikes me," said Lucien, after they had completed their +arrangements for camping, "that we have halted on the site of an old +Indian town." + +"Why do you think so?" asked Basil. + +"Why, I notice these heaps of rubbish here that are covered with weeds +and briars. They are Indian graves, or piles of decayed logs where +houses once stood. I can tell from the trees, too. Look around! do you +see anything peculiar in these trees?" + +"Nothing," replied Basil and Francois together. "Nothing, except that +they 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 are +mulberry-trees, and black walnuts, and Chicasaw plums, and pawpaws, and +Osage orange, and shell-bark hickories, and pecans, and honey-locusts. +I see no others except vines, and those great magnolias. I have seen +all these trees before." + +"Yes," returned Lucien, "but have you ever observed them all growing +together in this way?" + +"Ah! that is a different affair: I believe not." + +"Because it is from that fact," continued Lucien, "that I am led to +believe this spot was once the seat of an Indian settlement. These +trees, or others that produced them, have been planted here, and by the +Indians." + +"But, brother Luce," interposed Francois, "I never heard that the +Indians of these parts made such settlements as this must have been. +These low woods extend down the river for miles. They must have had a +large tract under cultivation." + +"I think," replied Lucien, "the Indians who at present inhabit this +region never planted these trees. It is more likely a settlement of the +ancient nation of the Natchez." + +"The Natchez! Why, that is the name of a town on the Mississippi, but I +did not know there were Indians of that name." + +"Neither are there now; but there once was a very extensive tribe so +called who occupied the whole territory of Louisiana. It is said that, +like the Mexicans and Peruvians, they had made some progress in +civilisation, and knew how to weave cloth and cultivate the soil. They +are now an extinct race." + +"How came that about?" + +"No one can tell. Some of the old Spanish authors say that they were +destroyed by Indians from South America. This story, however, is very +absurd--as is, indeed, most of what has been written by these same old +Spanish authors, whose books read more like the productions of children +than of reasoning men. It is far more likely that the Natchez were +conquered by the Creeks and Chicasaws, who came from the south-west of +their country; and that the remnant of their tribe became blended with +and lost among the conquerors. In my opinion, this is how they have +come to be extinct. Why, then, should not this be one of their ancient +settlements, and these trees the remains of their orchards, cultivated +by 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 year +eat 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 not +cultivate 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 from +all 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 these +trees. With the Indians it was different. It is true they had the +Indian corn or maize-plant (_Zea maiz_), but, like other people, they +were fond of variety; and these trees afforded them that. The Indian +nations who lived within the tropics had variety enough. In fact, no +people without commerce could have been better off in regard to +fruit-bearing plants and trees than the Aztecs, and other tribes of the +South. The Natchez, however, and those in the temperate zone, had their +trees and plants as well--such as those we see before us--and from these +they drew both necessary food, and luxurious fruits and beverages. +Indeed the early colonists did the same; and many settlers in remote +places make use to this day of these spontaneous productions of Nature." + +"Would it not be interesting, Basil," said Francois, appealing to his +elder brother, "if Lucien would give a botanical description of all +these 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 stock +of information. I shall only state what I know of their properties and +uses; and I may remark that there is not a tree or plant that is not +intended for some use in the economy of Nature. If botanists had spent +their time in trying to discover these uses, instead of wasting it in +idle classifications, mankind would have been more enriched by their +labours. + +"Let us begin, then, with the mulberry-tree, as there are many of them +growing around. Were I to tell you all about this valuable tree, I +should occupy a day or more. I shall only state those facts about it +that are most interesting. + +"The mulberry-trees form the genus _morus_--for this was the name by +which they were known to the ancient Greeks. Of this genus there are +several well-known species. No doubt there may be other species growing +in wild countries, and yet unknown or undescribed by botanists; and this +remark applies as well to other trees, for every day we hear of new +varieties being discovered by enterprising explorers. + +"First, then, comes the white mulberry (_Morus alia_). It is the most +important species yet known. This you will readily admit when I tell +you 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 colour +of its fruit, which, however, is not always white, but sometimes of a +purple or black colour. Now it would be difficult to give an exact +description of a white mulberry-tree; for, like the apple and pear +trees, there are many varieties of it produced from the same seeds, and +also by difference of soil and climate. It is a small tree, however, +rarely growing over forty feet high, with thick leaves and numerous +branches. The leaves are the most important part of it--for it is upon +these the silkworms feed, spinning their fine threads out of the milky +juice, which in its properties resembles the juice of the caoutchouc +tree. It is true that the silkworm will feed upon the other species of +mulberries, and also upon slippery elms, figs, lettuce, beets, endive, +and many kinds of leaves besides; but the silk made from all these is of +an inferior quality; and even the varieties of the white mulberry itself +produce different qualities of this beautiful material. + +"This tree has other uses. Its wood is compact and heavy, weighing +forty-four pounds to the cubic foot. In France it is much used in +turnery; and wine-casks are made from it, as it gives to white wines an +agreeable flavour of violets. Vine-props and fences are made from its +branches; and out of its bark--by a process which I have not time to +describe--a cloth can be manufactured almost as fine as silk itself. +The fruit of the white mulberry--where it grows in warm climates--is +very good to eat, and makes an excellent syrup. + +"The white mulberry, it is supposed, first came from China, where it is +still found growing wild; and the Chinese first cultivated it for +feeding silkworms as early as 2700 years before the Christian era. The +tree is now found in every civilised country, growing either as an +ornament of the shrubbery, or for the manufacture of silk. + +"The next species is the black mulberry (_Morus nigra_), so called on +account of the colour of its fruit, which is of a dark purple, nearly +black. This kind came originally from Persia, but is now, like the +white mulberry, found in all civilised countries. It is cultivated more +for ornament and shade than for feeding silkworms; though it is put to +this use in some parts, especially in cold climates, where the other +species does not thrive. They are easily distinguished from each +other--the bark of the black being much rougher and darker. The wood of +the latter is not so firm nor heavy as the white, but it is also +durable, and is used in England for hoops, wheels, and ribs of small +vessels. In Spain, Italy, and Persia, they prefer the leaves of the +black for feeding the silkworm. They are also eaten by cattle, sheep, +and goats. The roots when prepared are used as a vermifuge. The fruit +has a pleasant aromatic taste; and is eaten both raw and in preserves, +or mixed with cider makes an agreeable drink. The Greeks distil a clear +weak brandy out of them; and in France they make a wine from these +mulberries--which must be drunk while it is new, as it soon turns to +vinegar. This fruit is good for fevers and rheumatisms; and it is much +sought 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 the +third species, the red (_Morus rubra_). + +"That is the red before your face," continued Lucien, pointing to the +trees, which he had already designated. "It is so called from the +fruit, which, as you know, are of a dark red colour, and resemble red +raspberries more than anything in the world. Some of these trees, you +see, are nearly seventy feet in height, though it usually does not reach +so high. You notice the leaves. The are heart-shaped, many of them ten +inches long, and nearly as broad as long. They are dark green and +rough, and for feeding the silkworm quite useless where the white +mulberry grows. They form a delightful shade, however; and this is one +of 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 best +raspberries. As for the wood, it is much used in the dockyards of the +Southern states. It is of a pale lemon colour; and is considered more +durable for trenails than any other--that of the locust excepted. + +"The red mulberry, like the white and black species, runs into several +varieties, differing considerably from each other. + +"There is still a fourth species of this genus, called the paper +mulberry (_Morus papyrifera_). This, however, has been separated by +botanists into another genus; but it is worth a word here, as it is a +very curious and valuable tree, or, rather, a large shrub, for it does +not 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 is +cultivated for ornament both in Europe and America. Its fruit, which is +of a scarlet colour, is globe-shaped, and not oblong, as that of the +true mulberries; and this is one reason why it has been separated into a +genus by itself. Its leaves are of no use for silk-making, but they +make excellent food for cattle; and as the tree grows rapidly, and +carries such large bunches of leaves, some people have said that it +would yield better than grass, and should be cultivated for pasture. I +do not know whether this has been tried yet. The most interesting part +of the paper mulberry is its bark, which is used in the manufacture of +paper both in China and Japan. The beautiful India paper used for +engravings is made from it, and so, too, is the fine white cloth worn by +the natives of the Society Islands, and which so much astonished +Europeans when they first saw it. It would be interesting to detail the +process of manufacturing this cloth as well as the paper, but it would +take up too much of our time at present. + +"There is another genus of trees which resembles the mulberries very +much. They are valuable for their wood, which produces a fine yellow +dye, known by the name of `fustic-wood.' The tree that produces the +best of this dye is the _Morus tinctoria_, and grows in the West Indies +and tropical America; but there is a species found in the southern +United 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 left +but little time to describe the others." + +"Oh! plenty of time," said Basil; "we have nothing else to do. We are +better 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 a +science productive of much good, not only on account of its utility in +the 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 a +series of incidents occurred which put an end to the conversation, at +least 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 thick +network of vines stretched between two trees. These trees were large +tupelos, and the vines, clinging from trunk to trunk and to one another, +formed an impenetrable screen with their dark green leaves. Over the +leaves grew flowers, so thickly as almost to hide them--the whole +surface shining as if a bright carpet had been spread from tree to tree +and hung down between them. The flowers were of different colours. +Some were white and starlike, but the greater number were the large +scarlet cups of the trumpet-vine (_bignonia_). + +Francois, although listening to his brother, had for some time kept his +eyes 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 travellers +would have you believe. Even in Mexico, where the species are numerous, +you will not see them every day. Indeed, you may not notice them at +all, unless you are specially looking for them. They are such small +creatures, and fly so nimbly--darting from flower to flower and tree to +tree--that you may pass along without observing them, or perhaps mistake +them for bees. In the United States, however, where only one species +has yet been noticed, the sight is a rare one, and generally interesting +to those who witness it. Hence Francois' exclamation was one of +surprise and pleasure. + +"Where are they?" inquired Lucien, starting up in an interested manner. + +"Yonder," replied Francois, "by the trumpet flowers. I see several, I +think." + +"Softly, brothers," said Lucien; "approach them gently, so as not to +fright them off--I wish to make some observations upon them." + +As Lucien said this, he walked cautiously forward, followed by Basil and +Francois. + +"Ah!" exclaimed Lucien, as they drew near, "I see one now. It is the +ruby-throat (_Trochilus colubris_). He is feeding on the bignonias. +They are fonder of them than any other blossoms. See! he has gone up +into the funnel of the flower. Ha! he is out again. Listen to his +whirring wings, like the hum of a great bee. It is from that he takes +his name of `humming-bird.' See his throat, how it glitters--just like +a ruby!" + +"Another!" cried Francois; "look above! It is not near so pretty as the +first. Is it a different species?" + +"No," replied Lucien, "it is the female of the same; but its colour is +not 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. They +are sometimes shot with poppy-seeds, and sometimes with water. But +never mind, I would rather observe them a bit as they are. I want to +satisfy myself upon a point. You may look for the nest, as you have +good eyes. You will find it near--in some naked fork, but not among the +twigs or leaves." + +Basil and Francois set about looking for the nest, while Lucien +continued 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 which +has been debated among ornithologists. + +As he stood watching them a large humble-bee (_Apis bombylicus_) came +whizzing along, and settled in one of the flowers. Its feet had +scarcely touched the bright petals, when the male ruby-throat darted +towards it, and attacked it like a little fury. Both came out of the +flower together, carrying on their miniature battle as they flew; but, +after a short contest, the bee turned tail, and flew off with an +angry-like buzz,--no doubt, occasioned by the plying of his wings more +rapidly in flight. + +A shout from Francois now told that the nest was discovered. There it +was, in the fork of a low branch, but without eggs as yet--else the +birds would not both have been abroad. The nest was examined by all +three, though they did not disturb it from its position. It was built +of fine threads of Spanish moss (_Tillandsia_), with which it was tied +to the branch; and it was lined inside with the silken down of the +anemone. It was a semi-sphere, open at the top, and but one inch in +diameter. In fact, so small was the whole structure, that any one but +the sharp-eyed, bird-catching, nest-seeking Francois, would have taken +it for a knob on the bark of the tree. + +All three now returned to watch the manoeuvres of the birds, that, not +having seen them by the nest, still continued playing among the flowers. +The boys stole as near as possible, keeping behind a large bunch of +hanging vines. Lucien was nearest, and his face was within a few feet +of the little creatures, so that he could observe every motion they +made. 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 sometimes +flitting about from one to another. He saw the birds several times dash +at them with open bills, and pick them from their perch; so the question +was decided--the humming-birds were insect-eaters. + +After a while the female flew off to her nest, leaving the male still +among the flowers. + +The curiosity of the boys was now satisfied, and they were about to +return to the tent, when Lucien suddenly made a motion, whispering the +others to remain silent. Francois first caught sight of the object +which had caused this behaviour on the part of his brother, and then +Basil saw it. A hideous object it was! + +Crouching among the leaves, now crawling sideways, now making short +springs, and then hiding itself, went a fearful-looking creature. It +was about the size of one of the birds, but far different in appearance. +Its body consisted of two pieces, joined about the middle, and covered +all over with a reddish-brown wool or hair, that stood upright like +bristles. It had ten limbs--long, crooked, and covered with hair, like +the body--two curved claw-like antennae or feelers in front, and two +horns projecting behind, so that, but for the sharp fiery eyes of the +creature, it would have been difficult to tell its head from its hinder +part. Its rusty colour, its ill-shaped body, and hairy legs, combined +with 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 the +race _aranea_, or spiders. + +"The _leaping tarantula_!" whispered Lucien to his brothers. "See," he +continued, "it is after the ruby-throat!" + +This was evident. Step by step, and leap after leap, it was approaching +the cluster of blossoms where the humming-bird was at the moment +engaged. Its eyes were bent eagerly upon the latter; and whenever it +flew up from the flowers and whirred idly about, the tarantula squatted +itself closely, hiding behind the leaves or shanks of the vines. On the +other hand, when the bird settled a moment and appeared busily feeding, +the skulking creature would advance a stage nearer, either by a quick +run or a leap, when it would again conceal itself and await a fresh +opportunity. As the bird flitted about a good deal, the spider had +frequently to change its direction in following. The former after one +of its short flights, settled into a pet-flower directly in front of +where the latter lay crouching. It did not enter the cup of the flower, +but remained at the mouth--poised upon its whirring wings--while with +its long prehensile tongue it drew out the honey. It had scarcely been +a moment in this position, when the tarantula sprang forward and +clutched it round the body with his antennae. The bird, with a wild +chirrup, like that of a distressed cricket, flew outward and upwards. +Its wings were still free, and all expected it would carry off the +spider that was now seen clinging around it. Not so, however. On +getting a few feet from the flower its flight appeared to be suddenly +checked; and, although it still kept in the air, flying first one way +and then another, it was evident that something restrained it from +getting clear off. On looking more attentively a fine silk-like line +was seen stretching from the trees to the fluttering creature. It was +the thread of the spider, and this it was that prevented his victim from +carrying him into the air. + +The little wings soon ceased to move, and both bird and spider fell to +the end of the thread, where they hung for a moment suspended. The boys +could see that the bird was dead, and the mandibles of the tarantula +were 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 as +before. + +The tarantula now commenced reeling in his line, for the purpose of +carrying his prey up among the branches, where he had his nest. The +boys looked upward to discover the latter. There, sure enough, was the +web, in a shaded corner, stretching its meshes from a large liana to the +trunk of the tupelo; and towards this point the spider now slowly +progressed with his lifeless victim. + +As they watched his motions, their eyes were caught by a shining object +that moved along the wrinkled bark of the liana. As the vine was nearly +a foot in diameter, and of a deep ferruginous colour, this object was +the more apparent against its dark ground, for it was a creature of +brilliant hues. It was an animal of the lizard species; and if any +lizard could be considered beautiful, this one might have been so +called. But the hideous, half-human form of these animals, their +piercing looks, their stealthy and predatory habits, and, above all, the +knowledge that the bite of several of their species is poisonous, +combine to render them objects that excite disgust and awe, rather than +admiration. + +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 of +an emerald; while its body underneath was greenish-white. But this +part, as it lay along the liana, was not seen; and a pure, uniform green +was the apparent colour of the whole animal. There was one conspicuous +exception--the throat. This was swollen out, as though by inflation, +exhibiting a surface of the brightest scarlet, that appeared in the sun +as if painted with vermilion. The eyes of the animal shone like flame-- +for the irides were, in fact, the colour of burnished gold, with small +pupils, sparkling like diamonds, in their midst. Its arms and limbs +were of the same colour as the body; and its branching feet exhibited +the peculiarity of having small knots or tubercules at the ends of the +toes. 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 territory +of 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 Francois +had often seen the species before, and were familiar with it under the +names of "green lizard" and "chameleon,"--both of which names are +applied to it in common phraseology. The animal was not over six inches +in length; and its long coffin-shaped head, and slender, whip-like tail, +were at least two-thirds of this extent. When first noticed, it was +passing up the liana, for the latter slanted upwards between the trees. +It did not see the boys; or, at all events, did not regard their +presence--for the chameleon is a bold little animal, and is not afraid +of man. Up to this time it had not seen the tarantula either. As it +was passing onward, its eyes fell upon the latter as he climbed up his +silken ladder. All at once the lizard stopped, and put itself into a +crouching attitude. Its colour suddenly changed. The vermilion throat +became white, and then ashy pale; and the bright green of its body faded +into dark brown or rust colour, until it was difficult to distinguish +the animal from the bark of the liana! Had the eyes of the spectators +not been already fixed upon it, they might have supposed that it had +disappeared altogether. After crouching for a few seconds, it seemed to +have formed its plan of attack--for it was evident that it meant to +attack the spider--such, with flies and other insects, being its natural +food and prey. It passed to the opposite side of the liana, and then +proceeded upward, making for the nest of the tarantula. It reached this +point 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--which +enable lizards of the genus anolius to walk upon perpendicular walls, up +glass windows, or along the smoothest ceilings. + +For some moments it lay quiet in a crouching attitude, waiting the +approach of the spider, that, busied with his own affairs, did not dream +of a lurking foe so near him. The tarantula was, no doubt, in high +spirits at the moment, exulting at the prospect of the banquet of blood +he should have, when he had carried the ruby-throat to his dark, silken +cave. But he was destined never to reach that cave. When he had got +within a few inches of its entrance, the chameleon sprang out from the +limb, 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 short +struggle over the grass--for the tarantula fought fiercely; but he was +no match for his antagonist; who, in a few moments, had ground off his +legs with his powerful jaws, and left him a helpless and motionless +trunk. 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 first +sprung upon his prey his bright colours returned like a flash, and he +again appeared with his green back and red throat, if possible more +brilliant than ever. + +He now commenced dragging the body of the spider over the grass, +evidently making for some decayed logs, half covered with vines and +briars, that formed a heap near the spot. Here, no doubt was his +retreat. + +This time Francois did not attempt to interfere. He had no desire to do +so. He looked upon the death of the tarantula as a just punishment; +moreover, the chameleon, from its fine colours, its sportive habits, and +its harmlessness--so far as man is concerned--is a general favourite +with all; and it was so with Francois. In fact, Francois, as well as +his brothers, who had often watched this little creature gambolling +among the leaves, and feeding upon flies and other small insects, had +never seen it exhibit so much ferocity before. Notwithstanding this, +they all applauded it for killing the hideous tarantula; and so far as +they were concerned, it might have carried the body to its hole without +being molested. It was destined, however, to meet with interruption +from 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 trunk +of a tree that rose over the spot where the chameleon was crawling. +About twenty feet from the ground was a dark, round hole, evidently the +former nest of the red-bellied woodpecker (_Picus Carolinus_). The +birds, however, who made that nest had deserted it; for it was now +occupied by a creature of a far different kind--a scorpion-lizard--whose +red head and brown shoulders at the moment protruded from the hole. + +All who have travelled the great American forests are familiar with such +a sight--for this animal may be often observed in similar situations. A +more disagreeable sight is rarely met with. The scorpion-lizard, with +his red head and olive-brown body, is a hideous-looking reptile at best; +but when thus peering from his gloomy tree-cave, moving his pointed +snout from side to side, his dark eyes glancing all the while with a +fierce, malignant expression, it is difficult to conceive a more +vicious-looking creature. + +His head was in motion when Francois spake--for it was this that had +caught the eye of the boy. It was moving from side to side, protruded +out from the hole, the snout pointing downwards. The animal was +watching the ground below, and evidently preparing to issue forth, and +come down. The chameleon, rustling over the dead leaves, had attracted +his attention. + +As quick as lightning his whole body appeared upon the tree, and lay +flat along the bark, head downwards. Here he halted for a moment; then, +raising his shoulders, he ran nimbly down the trunk, and rushing +outwards, sprang upon the chameleon. The latter, thus suddenly +attacked, dropped the spider; and at first showed an intention of +retreating. Had he done so the scorpion would have followed him no +farther--as its only object in attacking him was to rob him of his prey. +The chameleon, however, is a courageous little animal; and seeing that +his assailant was not much bigger than himself--for the animal in +question was one of the smallest of the skink family--he turned again +and showed fight. His throat swelled to its largest extent, and grew +brighter than ever. + +Both now stood facing each other, and about twelve inches apart, in +threatening attitudes. Their eyes sparkled; their forked tongues shot +forth, glittering in the sun; and their heads at intervals rose and +fell, in a manoeuvring manner, like a pair of pugilists "coming to the +scratch!" + +After a short while they sprang at each other open-jawed; wriggled over +the ground a moment--their tails flying in the air--then separated, and +again assumed their defiant attitudes, manoeuvring as before. In this +manner they met and parted several times, neither seeming to have gained +much advantage. + +The weakest part of the green lizard lies in his tail. So tender is +this appendage that the slightest blow of a small switch will separate +it from the body. The skink seemed to be aware of this fact, as he +several times endeavoured to get around his antagonist, or, in military +phraseology, to "turn" him. It was evidently his intention to attack +the tail. This the chameleon dreaded; and was equally desirous not to +be "outflanked." In whatever way the skink manoeuvred, his antagonist +met him with his scarlet front. + +For several minutes the battle raged--these little creatures exhibiting +as much fury and fierceness as if they had been a pair of great +crocodiles. The chameleon at length began to show symptoms of giving +out. The throat grew paler--the green became less vivid--and it was +evident that he was getting the worst of it. The scorpion now made a +rush, and threw the other upon his back. Before the chameleon could +recover himself, his antagonist seized his tail, and bit it off close to +the body. The poor little fellow, feeling that he had lost more than +half his length, scuttled away, and hid himself among the logs. + +It was well for him, as it proved afterwards, that he got off, even thus +mutilated; and it would have been better for the skink had he remained +in his hole. The battle between the two had carried them some distance +from the spot where it first commenced, and under the leafy, spreading +branches of a mulberry-tree. While the fight was raging, a slight +movement 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 of +it appeared hanging clear of the branches. It was about the thickness +of a walking-cane; but the glistening scales and the elegant curving +form told that this singular object was a serpent. + +It did not remain stationary. It was slowly and gradually letting +itself down--for more of its body was every moment becoming visible, +until a full yard of it hung out from the leaves. The remainder was +hidden by the thick foliage where its tail no doubt was coiled around a +branch. That part of the body that was seen was of a uniform blood-red +colour, though the belly or under side was much the lightest. + +"_Voila_!" muttered Francois, "what a red snake! I never saw such +before." + +"Nor I either," added Basil. + +"Nor I," said Lucien, "but I have heard of it. I easily recognise it +from 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 Far +West. 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 serpent +dangling above him; and knowing from experience a terrible enemy, ran +off, endeavouring to hide himself in the grass. Instead of making for a +tree--where he might have escaped by his superior nimbleness--his +confusion and terror led him out into the open ground. The snake +dropped from the mulberry and glided after, with his head raised high in +the air, and his jaws wide open. In a second or two he overtook the +lizard; and striking forward and downward, killed it upon the spot. + +Lucien was in raptures with the interesting lesson he was receiving; and +again restrained Francois from rushing forward. They all, however, +crept a little nearer--so as the better to observe the further movements +of the serpent. They kept as well as possible behind the screen of +leaves and bushes. + +The snake, after having killed the lizard, remained out in the open +ground; and, stretching himself along the grass, commenced devouring it. +Snakes do not masticate their food. Their teeth are not formed for +this, but only for seizing and killing. The blood-snake is not +venomous, and is, therefore, without fangs such as venomous snakes +possess. In lieu of these he possesses a double row of sharp teeth; +and, like the "black snake," the "whip," and others of the genus +coluber, he is extremely swift, and possesses certain powers of +constriction, which are mostly wanting in serpents of the venomous +tribes. 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 the +lizard _vis-a-vis_ with his own, he opened his jaws to their full +extent, took in the head, and commenced gradually sucking the body down +his throat. It was a curious operation; and the boys watched it with +feelings of interest. + +But other eyes were bent upon the reptile. His bright blood-coloured +body 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 head +and breast, the far spread, tapering wings, but, above all, the long +forked tail, told them at a glance what bird it was. It was the great +Southern 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 that +curve 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 no +bird can equal the kite. Not a stroke of his long pointed wings +betrayed that he needed their assistance; and he seemed to glory that he +could navigate the air without them. Besides, the motion of these, had +he used them, might have caught the eye of his intended victim, and +warned it of the danger. I say it was a beautiful sight to watch him as +he swam through his aery circles, at one moment appearing all white--as +his breast was turned to the spectators--the next moment his black back +and purple wings glittering in the sun, as sideways he guided himself +down the spiral curve. It was a beautiful sight, and the young hunters +stood gazing with silent admiration. + +Basil and Francois wondered that he did not at once pounce upon the +snake, for towards it his flight was evidently tending. They had seen +other hawks do this--such as the red-tailed, the peregrine, and the +osprey--which last sometimes shoots several hundred feet perpendicularly +down upon its prey. Lucien, however, knew better. He knew that that +feat can be performed only by those hawks whose tails are full and not +forked, as the bald eagle, and the species already named--their +spreading tails giving them the power to suddenly arrest the downward +motion, and prevent them from dashing themselves against the earth. The +kites, on the other hand, have not that power; and in this arrangement +Lucien could perceive a beautiful adaptation of Nature--an equalising of +advantages 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, which +they take, perching themselves upon some tree. It may be observed, +moreover, that they choose dead trees that overlook an open space. They +do so, in order that the leaves may not obstruct their vision--thus +giving them a wider range, and, consequently, a better chance of espying +their prey. But even with this advantage their chances of seeing their +prey are circumscribed, when compared with that of hawks upon the wing; +and they are frequently compelled to take to the air in order to +discover it. + +Now the kites are always in the air, or nearly so. They, in fact, _live +upon the wing_, eating their food as they fly, from their claws. Living +thus, they have many more chances of _seeing_ their prey than their +cousins 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 evident +they would have greatly the advantage. The want of that capability, +however, brings them upon an equality; and, as I have said, Lucien +perceived 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 but +a moment however--for it was but a few seconds from the time the kite +was first noticed wheeling high in the air, until he swept along the +tops of the low trees, so close that the boys could distinguish the red +iris of his glistening eyes. + +Now, for the first time, the snake caught sight of him. Hitherto it had +been too much occupied with its own prey, which it had succeeded in +swallowing. The shadow of the broad wings fell upon the sunlit sward +directly before its eyes. It looked up, and saw its terrible enemy. It +seemed to shiver through its whole length, and turn paler in colour. It +struck its head into the grass, endeavouring to hide itself. It was too +late. The kite swooped gently downward; and, with open claw, poised +himself a moment over the spot. As he rose again, the reptile was seen +wriggling in his talons! + +A few strokes of his bold wing carried the kite upward, above the tops +of the tallest trees; but he was observed to fly heavily. As he rose +higher, the flapping of his wings became more hurried and irregular. It +was evident that something was impeding his flight. The snake was no +longer hanging from his talons. The reptile had twined itself around +his body; and its glistening folds, like red bands, could be seen +half-buried in the white plumage of the bird! + +All at once the kite began to flutter--then one of his wings +disappeared; 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 was +killed by the fall, nor, to all appearance, hurt; for, the moment after +they had touched the ground, both were seen engaged in a violent +struggle--the bird evidently endeavouring to free himself from the folds +of the reptile, while the latter seemed equally bent upon holding him! +The snake knew well that this was its only hope; for, should it unfold +itself and endeavour to escape, it would only give the kite an +opportunity of clutching it a second time, when he would be certain to +do it with more fatal effect. It was because the reptile had buried its +head in the grass that the kite had failed in seizing it properly by the +neck, and putting an end to it at once. + +This, no doubt, was the idea of the snake; but it is probable that its +antagonist at the moment would have been delighted to "cry quits" with +it, for the bird was in a worse "fix" than it was. As things stood, the +serpent had undoubtedly the advantage. + +It was likely to prove a protracted struggle; for, although there was +much twisting and wriggling over the ground, and flapping of the odd +wing--that was still free--very little change for a long time appeared +to take place in the relative position of the combatants. This could be +seen, whenever they paused to rest themselves--which they did every two +or three minutes. + +How was it to end? The kite could not kill the snake, for he could not +get at it, either with his beak or talons. The hold which he had at +first 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 warped +around him. The snake, on the other hand, could not kill the kite; for, +although possessed of considerable powers of constriction, they were not +sufficient. It was strong enough to hold, and, perhaps, _squeeze_ its +antagonist, but not strong enough to crush and kill him. + +Though each, no doubt, at the moment wished to be far enough from the +other, they could not separate with safety to both. The kite _could not +get away_, and the snake _dared not let him go_! + +How, then, was the affair to end, in the event that no third party +should interfere? This was the conjecture of our adventurers, as with +curious eyes they watched this singular contest. The train of reasoning +was as follows:-- + +By one or the other dying of hunger. But which would starve first? It +was well-known that the kite could live for days without food. Ha! but +so too could the snake,--nay, more, for every day the bird could go +without eating, the reptile could fast ten; besides, the snake had just +dined--dined sumptuously upon the scorpion-lizard, that was now lying +undigested in his stomach; whereas the kite had not tasted dinner,--nay, +it was very certain he had not breakfasted either--and must have been +very hungry indeed to have attempted preying upon a blood-snake full +four feet long--for, as is well-known, his usual prey is the locust, the +chameleon, and the little green snake (_Coluber aestivus_). Under every +view of the question then, the snake had the advantage of the bird, and +would easily outstarve him. Thus, then, the affair would end, if the +combatants were left to themselves. + +The young hunters arrived at this conclusion; and, having watched the +contest until their curiosity was satisfied, were about stepping forward +to put an end to it, when a new manoeuvre on the part of the combatants +caused them to remain still. The kite had got his beak close to the +head of the serpent, and was striking with open mandibles, endeavouring +to seize the jaw of the latter. He was upon his back--for these birds +fight best in that position. The serpent, on the other hand, was trying +his best to bite the bird; and for this purpose at intervals extended +its jaws, showing the double rows of sharp conical teeth. At one of +these intervals, while its mouth was open, the kite struck quickly +upward, and seized the lower jaw of the reptile in his beak. The latter +closed its mouth on the instant; but the horny mandible was impervious +to its sharp teeth, and the bird regarded them not. + +The kite continued to hold fast with his powerful beak. He had now +gained 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 his +claws, he held himself fast to the ground, while with his strong neck he +drew the head of the serpent close under him until it lay within reach +of his other claw. Then with a quick fierce stroke he planted his +talons, so as to encircle the throat of his adversary, clutching and +holding it like a vice. + +This manoeuvre put a period to the contest. The red coils were seen to +loosen, then fall off; and, although the reptile still writhed, it was +only in its death-struggles. In a few moments its body lay along the +grass, 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 the +reptile trailing after him like a train! + +At this moment another scream reached the ears of the young hunters. It +might have passed for the echo of the first, but its tones were wilder +and louder. All eyes were turned to the direction whence it came. The +boys knew very well what sort of a creature had uttered it, for they had +heard such notes before. They knew it was the _white-headed eagle_. + +They caught sight of him the moment they turned. It was not difficult +to 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 in +the 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 all +events, not to yield it, without giving the more powerful robber the +trouble of a chase. The fresh remembrance of the peril he had passed +through in obtaining it, no doubt stimulated him to this resolve. + +Birds of his species will sometimes outfly and escape the eagle--that +is, _some_ eagles, for these bird-kings differ in degrees of swiftness +as hounds or horses. So, too, do the kites; and the one in question +having, no doubt, full confidence in _his_ wings, thought he would make +trial of those of his pursuer--who, being personally unknown to him, +might be some individual too fat, or too old, or too young, perhaps, to +possess full powers of flight. At all events he had made up his mind to +have a "fly" for it--believing that if overtaken he could easily put an +end 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 spiral +curve of about fifty yards in diameter. + +If the kite entertained the idea that his pursuer was either a very old +or young bird, or too fat a bird, or in any way a "slow" bird, he was +likely to be soon undeceived. That idea was not shared by those who +watched him in his flight. On the contrary, the young hunters thought +they had never seen a more splendid specimen of his kind,--of full +feather, snow-white head and tail-tip, and broad clean-cut wings. He +was 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 her +order with these birds--the females being universally brighter in +plumage, larger in body, swifter of wing, stronger, and even fiercer +than 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 (in +compliment to the sex I say it) that nothing like polygamy is known +amongst them. Woe to the eagle husband that would even dream of such a +thing! + +_Voila_! up goes the kite, straining every pinion of his pointed wings-- +up the spiral curve, _screwing_ himself towards the zenith. Upward +follows the eagle, spirally as well, but in wider gyrations that embrace +and 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 to +come; narrower grow their soaring circles--but that is because they are +more distant and seem so. See! the kite is but a speck, and appears +stationary--now he is lost to the view. See! the eagle is but a speck! +She, too, disappears! No, not altogether--the little spot like the +fragment of a white cloud, or a piece of snow upon the sky--that is her +tail-tip. Ha! it is gone too--they are beyond the reach of our vision. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +Hark! _Ish-sh-ish_! Did you hear that sound, like the whistling of a +rocket? See! Something has fallen upon the tree-top, breaking several +branches! As I live it is the kite! Dead he is, and the blood is +spurting from a wound in his shoulder! + +Hark, again! _Whush-sh-ush_! It is the eagle. See! she has the +serpent in her talons! + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +The eagle had shot down from her elevation, though no eye could have +followed her in that arrow-like descent. When within two or three +hundred yards of the ground, her wings flew out, her tail was spread, +and, suddenly lowered, fan-like to its fullest extent, arrested her +downward course; and, with a few measured strokes, she glided slowly +over the tops of the trees, and alighted on the summit of the dead +magnolia. + +Basil seized his rifle, with the intention of having a shot. There was +not much cover on the ground that encircled the tree where the eagle had +perched herself; and the young hunter knew from experience that his only +chance of getting near enough was to make his approach upon horseback. +He therefore drew the picket that fastened Black Hawk; and, flinging +himself upon the horse's back, rode off among the bushes. He had been +gone but a few minutes when a sharp crack was heard, and the eagle was +seen 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--as +Lucien 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 is +proportionately small in other respects. + +The white-headed eagle (_Falco leucocephalus_), or "bald eagle," as he +is generally called because his white head gives him somewhat of a bald +appearance--has been adopted by the United States as the emblem of their +Republic. If his disposition be considered, he would be a more fit +emblem for a band of robbers--for a more absolute robber and tyrant does +not exist among the feathered races. He robs the osprey of his fish, +and the vulture of his carrion; in short, lords it over every creature +weaker than himself. Now this is not the character of the nation he +represents--far from it. It is true they have shown a desire to extend +their territory, and have made conquests to this end. But what is the +motive of these conquests? Is it to enslave and render tribute? No. +They conquer not _to enslave_, but to _make free_! There are two +motives for Anglo-American--I may say Anglo-Saxon, conquest, for _true_ +Englishmen feel these motives as much as Americans do. They wish to +bring the whole world under a liberal form of government--one that will +bear the scrutiny of reason--one that in time may extinguish crime, and +render poverty a thing of the past--one that is not a patent usurpation +and a robbery--a robbery perhaps more criminal in the eyes of God than +waylaying on the highroad, or piracy on the high seas--more criminal, +because more extensive in its fatal effects. Anglo-Saxons wish to +destroy despotism, lest they or their descendants might again become +what their ancestors once were--its victims. This, then, is one motive +of their conquests, and it is nothing more than the naked instinct of +self-preservation. But there is another motive--a nobler and more +generous one. They have drunk from the cup of Liberty--the draught has +pleased them, has given them happiness and joy; and, urged by that +better part of our nature, they wish to share that sweet cup--ample for +all--_with all men_. This is the true motive of the conquest of +civilisation; and under the banner of such a cause, it is a question +whether war and anarchy and confusion be not preferable to the deceptive +peace and _apparent_ prosperity of despotism, that, like the +death-dealing vampire, soothes while it destroys. + +I do not say that _all_ Americans nor _all_ Englishmen are entitled to +the glory of such a holy motive for conquest. No. Too large a +proportion, alas! are actuated only by the ignoble idea of selfish or +national aggrandisement. The robber is often found in the same camp, +and fighting under the same banner, with the soldier of Freedom. It is +not strange, therefore, that the _true_ sons of Liberty should sometimes +be associated with its _bastard_ children of the shackle and the whip. + +But, I shall not weary you with any more political science. Not that I +consider it of small importance to you. On the contrary, I deem that +science the _most important of all others that have ever occupied the +attention of men_. Its influence extends to almost every object around +you. It shapes the carriage in which you ride, and the ship in which +you sail. Its knowledge modifies the nature of your soul, and decides +whether you shall be a slave or a freeman. It even extends to the form +of your body, giving it the abject attitude and gloomy aspect of slavery +and 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 these +things. 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 in +them; and if so, you may learn some truths that for long years have been +the study of your friend--the author. + +Now let us return to the eagle. I am thinking what a pity it is that +the Americans should have chosen this tyrant-bird as the emblem of their +liberty; for, although he is _most appropriate_ for _one portion_ of +their people, he is far from being a fit emblem of the principles of the +great republic. So thought the wise Franklin. There are many other +animals, peculiar to the territory of the United States, far more +deserving of the distinction. There is the bold but harmless buffalo, +the stately elk, and the industrious beaver; or if a bird must needs be +upon the banner, where could one be found better suited to that end than +the wild-turkey, possessing as he does a combination of good qualities-- +grace, beauty, courage, and usefulness? Thus reasoned Franklin; and it +might be yet worth the while of the American people to give +consideration to his reasoning, and discard the eagle; or, at all +events, change the species--for peculiar to the United States territory +there is another bird of the kind, far nobler, as well as larger and +more beautiful. + +It is curious to observe how many countries have adopted this rapacious +bird for their emblem; and it forms a sad index to the motives that have +hitherto actuated nations. In ancient times it was seen upon the +banners of Persia and Rome. In modern days Napoleon spread its wings +like black shadows over France. It is the emblem of Russian despotism +and American freedom. Austria, Prussia, Poland, Sicily, Spain, +Sardinia, and many of the small governments of Germany, look up to the +eagle on their standards; while, upon the other side of the Atlantic, it +waves over the great nations of the United States and Mexico, as well as +several of the smaller republics. Why, a general war among the nations +of the world would be almost exclusively a war among the eagles! It is +not improbable that the _lion_ would insist upon having a claw in the +quarrel; although his honesty and nobility of disposition are very much +doubted, particularly by the jackal and some other animals. He is, +therefore, no better qualified to act as the representative of a pacific +people than the very worst of the eagles; but he fortunately has a wise +keeper, called Public Opinion, who of late has held him under some +restraint. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +"What a chain of destruction!" exclaimed Lucien. "One creature preying +upon another." + +"Ay," added Francois; "and how curious it should begin with a bird and +end with a bird. Look at the two together. Ha! ha!" + +As Francois made this remark, he pointed to the little humming-bird and +the great eagle--which had been laid side by side upon the grass, and, +sure enough, presented in size and appearance a most singular contrast +to each other. + +"You forget, Francois," said Lucien, "there were two other links to the +chain, 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 least +necessary. The other creatures were but following out their instincts +to procure food, whereas Basil's only motive was one of wanton +destruction." + +"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 the +kite, and robbed him of his prey, instead of using his industry and +getting food for himself. That's why I added a link to your chain." + +"In that sense," replied Lucien, smiling at his brother--who seemed a +little ruffled at being thus charged with unnecessary cruelty,--"in that +sense you were, perhaps, justifiable; though it is difficult to +understand why the eagle was more guilty than the kite himself. He took +only one life, and so did the kite." + +"But," rejoined Basil, "in addition to taking away the life of his +victim, he robbed him. Robbery and murder both. Now the kite was +guilty only of the latter." + +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Lucien and Francois together. "There _is_ a +distinction with a difference!" + +"But, brother Luce," inquired Francois, "what did you mean when you said +there might be many more links to this chain?" + +"Why, who knows but the blue-winged fly was preying upon some other +creatures smaller than himself? And these again, upon others still +less; who, though invisible to our eyes, possess life and organisation +as well as we. Who knows to the contrary? And who knows the reason why +a mysterious Providence has created those beings to be the food of each +other? That is a question about which we can arrive at no satisfactory +conclusion." + +"Who knows, brother," said Francois, "since you are speculating--who +knows 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." And +Francois laughed as he put the question. + +"And supposing we do," replied Basil, "_you_ are as likely to form that +link as anybody else." + +"Heaven forbid!" exclaimed Lucien. "I hope that in all our travels we +shall see neither a grizzly bear nor an Indian." + +"And I hope for nothing of the sort," rejoined Basil. "I long to have a +crack at a grizzly; and as for Indians, I haven't the least fear of +them, so long as I carry this." + +As Basil made this remark, he drew out the little beaded case from his +bosom, 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 is +to save us from Indians. I am really curious to know." + +"Not now, my boy," replied Basil, with a patronising air. "Not now. We +must prepare our supper, and get to sleep. We have lost half a day +drying our rags, so we must make up for it by an early start in the +morning. Then for the prairies!" + +"Then for the prairies!" echoed Francois,--"the prairies--the wild +horses--the big-horns--and the buffalo!" + + + +CHAPTER THIRTEEN. + +THREE BUFFALOES WITH WINGS. + +Our travellers next morning resumed their journey, and for several days +continued on without meeting any incident worth recording. They crossed +many large streams, among which may be mentioned the Neches and Trinity +of Texas. + +On the "divide," between the Trinity and Brazos rivers, an adventure +befell them that came near having a painful result. + +In hot weather it was their custom to halt during the noon hours, both +to refresh themselves and rest their animals. This is the custom of +most travellers through these wild regions, and is called "nooning." + +With this intention, one day, they drew bridle by the edge of a tract of +prairie, and dismounted. Behind them was the forest through which they +had just passed, and before them lay the prairie, which they intended to +cross in the cool of the evening. The surface of the latter was quite +level, covered with a green mantle of young buffalo-grass, with here and +there an island of low timber that broke the monotony of the view. In +the distance a thick forest of live oak bounded the prairie on the other +side; and although the latter appeared only two or three miles distant, +it was not less than ten--so deceptive is the pure atmosphere of these +upland regions. The country in which they now were was what is termed +"timber prairie"--that is, a prairie interspersed with groves and +copses. + +I say our adventurers had just dismounted, and were about to take off +their saddles, when an exclamation from Francois drew the attention of +his brothers. + +"_Voila_!" cried he, pointing out to the open ground. "Buffaloes-- +buffaloes!" + +Basil and Lucien looked in the direction pointed out. Three large dark +objects were seen on the crest of a low swell in the prairie. They were +moving about; and one was evidently smaller than the others. + +"Of _course_ they are buffaloes," continued Francois. "Look at their +size! Two bulls and a cow, no doubt." + +His brothers agreed with him. None of the three had ever seen buffaloes +in their native wilderness; and of course had but an indistinct idea of +how they might appear from a distance. Buffaloes they must be--elk or +deer 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 the +open ground to dig for the "pomme-blanche" and other roots. This, +however, was not probable, as the grizzly bears are seldom or never +found so far to the eastward. No. They were not "grizzlys." They were +not wild horses neither, that was plain enough. Buffaloes, then, they +must 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 to +meet with these animals was the object of their expedition, of the long +and perilous journey they had undertaken. + +A hurried consultation followed as to how they should capture these +three. It was true that none of them was a _white_ buffalo; but no +matter. Our hunters wanted to taste buffalo-beef; and the chase after +these 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 air +of an experienced buffalo-hunter. + +Now, there are several methods of hunting buffaloes, practised upon the +prairies, both by whites and Indians. The most common is that of which +Francois spoke, "running." This is done by simply overtaking the +buffalo, galloping alongside of him--the hunter, of course, being on +horseback--and shooting him through the heart while he runs. Shoot him +in the region of the heart you must; for you may put twenty bullets into +his great body elsewhere, and he will still manage to get away from you. +The hunters aim a little above the brisket, and behind the +fore-shoulder. The white hunters use the rifle, or sometimes a large +pistol--which is better for the purpose, as they can load it more easily +while going in a gallop. The Indians prefer the bow--as they can shoot +arrow after arrow in quick succession, thus slaying many buffaloes in a +single "run." So expert are they with this weapon, that their arrows +have been known to pierce through the bodies of large buffaloes, and +pass clear out on the other side! At times the Indians use spears with +which 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 them +until within range, when the hunter fires, often loads again and fires, +and so on, until many of them are killed, before their companions take +the alarm and scamper off. Indeed, the hunter will sometimes crawl up +to a herd; and concealing himself behind the bodies of those he has +already killed, fire away until many have fallen. In doing this he +takes care to keep to leeward; for if otherwise, and these animals--who +have much keener scent than sight--should happen to "wind" him, as it is +termed, they are off in a moment. So keen is their scent, that they can +detect an enemy to windward at the distance of a mile or more. In +"approaching," the hunter sometimes disguises himself in the skin of a +wolf or deer; when the buffaloes, mistaking him for one of these +animals, permit him to get within shooting distance. An Indian has been +known to creep up in this manner into the midst of a buffalo herd, and +with his bow and arrows, silently shoot one after another, until the +whole herd lay prostrate! "Approaching" is sometimes a better method +than "running." The hunter thus saves his horse--often a jaded one--and +is likely to kill a greater number of buffaloes, and get so many more +hides, if that be his object, as it sometimes is. When he is a +traveller only, or a beaver-trapper, who wants to get a buffalo for his +dinner, and cares for no more than one, then "running" is the more +certain mode of obtaining it. In this way, however, he can kill only +one, or at most two or three; for, while he is shooting these, and +loading between times, the herd scatters, and runs out of his reach; and +his horse is apt to be too much "blown" to allow him to overtake them +again. + +A third method of hunting buffaloes is the "surround." This is +practised only by the Indians--as the white hunters of the prairies are +rarely ever in such numbers as would enable them to effect a "surround." +The name almost explains the nature of this hunt, which is practised as +follows:--When a hand of Indian hunters discover a herd of buffaloes, +they scatter and deploy into a circle around them. They soon accomplish +this on their swift horses, for they are mounted--as all prairie-hunters +are sure to be, whether whites or Indians. As soon as the circle is +formed, the Indians ride inward with loud yells, and drive the buffaloes +into a thick clump in the centre. They then dash upon them with bows +and lances--each hunter killing as many as he can. The buffaloes become +confused, run to and fro, and but few of them in the end get off. A +herd of hundreds, and even thousands, is sometimes slaughtered at one of +these _battues_. The Indians make this wholesale destruction for two +objects; first, to get the meat, which they preserve by "jerking"--that +is, by cutting into thin strips and drying in the sun--and, secondly, +for the skins with which they cover their tents, make their beds, and +part of their clothing. Many of them they barter at the trading-houses +of the whites--established in remote regions for this purpose--where +they receive in exchange knives, rifles, lead, powder, beads, and +vermilion. + +Another method the Indians have of hunting the buffalo, is not unlike +the last, but is still more fearful to witness. + +Most of the region where the buffaloes range consists of high upland +prairies, such as in Asia are called "steppes," and in Mexico and South +America "mesas," or "table-lands." Such plains are elevated from three +to six thousand feet above the level of the sea. In many places on +these table-lands there are deep rifts called "canons," or more properly +"barrancas," that have probably been formed by running water during +rain-storms. These are often dry, and look like vast fissures opening +down into the earth--often for a thousand feet or more--and extending +away for scores of miles across the prairie. Sometimes two of them +intersect each other, forming a triangular space or peninsula between; +and the traveller on reaching this point is obliged to turn back, as he +finds himself almost encircled by precipices yawning downward into the +earth. Whenever the Indians get a herd of buffaloes near one of these +canons, they surround them on three sides, and guide them towards the +precipice; and when they are near enough, gallop forward with wild +shouts, causing the buffaloes to dash madly and blindly over. A whole +herd will sometimes leap a precipice in this way--those in the front +being forced over by the others, and, these in turn pressed, either to +take 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 in +little piles so as to represent men. These piles are placed in two +rows, gradually converging towards each other, and leading to one of the +aforementioned bluffs. Between these two rows they drive the buffaloes, +that, mistaking the piles of their own "chips" for Indians, are guided +onwards to the edge of the precipice, when the hunters make their noisy +rush, and force them over. + +There are other methods of buffalo-hunting, such as pursuing them in the +snow, when the hunters in their snow-shoes easily overtake and slaughter +them. Some Mexican buffalo-hunters (in the southern prairies called +"ciboleros") capture the buffalo with the lasso; but this method is not +often practised, except when they wish to catch the young calves alive +for the purpose of raising them. + +Now, all these methods were familiar to our three young hunters--that +is, familiar from descriptions--as they had often heard about them from +old trappers who came down among the settlements of Louisiana, and who +sometimes spent the night under their father's roof--for the Colonel +liked very much to entertain these old trappers, and get a talk out of +them. It was from this source then, that Francois derived his ideas of +buffalo-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 while +keeping their eyes fixed upon the three buffaloes. There was just one +a-piece, which they could separate, and run down--they were far from any +cover, and it might therefore be difficult to "approach" them--moreover +the horses were fresh, for the day before had been Sunday, and our +adventurers had always made it a rule to lie by on that day, to rest +both themselves and their animals. This they did in accordance with a +command given to them by their father at starting. All things +considered, then, "running" was the best plan, and it was the one they +resolved to adopt. + +Jeanette was tied to a tree, and left behind with her packs, that had +not 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 if +wounded. Everything that might encumber the hunters was left with +Jeanette; and all three rode out upon the prairie, and made direct for +the animals. It was agreed that each should choose one of them, and +then do his best with gun and pistols. Francois had put buck-shot into +both 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 the +strange animals attracted their attention. Were they buffaloes, after +all? + +The brothers rode quietly onward, observing them with attention. No, +buffaloes they were not. The rough shaggy bodies of these would not +shine so, for they glittered in the sun as they moved about. Buffaloes +they could not be. + +"That they are not," said Lucien, after a deliberate look through his +fingers. + +"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 old +turkey-cock!" + +"Neither more nor less," replied Lucien, with a smile. "_They are +turkeys_!" + +"Turkeys!" echoed Basil, "turkeys taken for buffaloes! What a grand +deception!" + +And all three at first looked very blank at each other, and then +commenced laughing heartily at the mistake they had made. + +"We must never tell of this," said Basil, "we should be laughed at, I +reckon." + +"Not a bit of it," rejoined Lucien, "such mistakes are often made, even +by old travellers on the prairies. It is an atmospheric illusion very +common. I have heard of a worse case than ours--of a raven having been +taken for a buffalo!" + +"When we meet the buffaloes then, I suppose we shall mistake them for +mammoths," remarked Francois; and the disappointed hunters now turned +their 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 riding +forward. "Come on! It isn't so bad a case after all--a good fat turkey +for dinner, eh? Come on!" + +"Stay, brother," said Lucien, "how are we to get near them? They are +out on the open ground--there is no cover." + +"We don't want cover. We can `run' them as we were about to do had they +been buffaloes." + +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Francois; "run a turkey! Why it will fly off at +once. What nonsense you talk, brother!" + +"I tell you, no," replied Basil. "It is not nonsense--it can be done--I +have often heard so from the trappers,--now let us try it ourselves." + +"Agreed, then," said Francois and Lucien at once; and all three rode +forward 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 were +strutting about with their tails spread like fans, and their wings +trailing along the grass. Every now and then they uttered their loud +"gobble--obble--obble," and by their attitude and actions it was +evidently an affair of rivalry likely to end in a battle. The female +stalked over the grass, in a quiet but coquettish way--no doubt fully +aware of the warm interest she was exciting in the breasts of the +belligerent gobblers. She was much smaller than either of these, and +far less brilliant in plumage. The males appeared very bright indeed-- +almost equal to a pair of peacocks--and as their glossy backs glanced in +the sun with metallic lustre, our hunters thought they had never before +seen such beautiful birds. + +Taken up with their own quarrel, they would no doubt have allowed the +hunters to get within shooting distance of them. The female, however, +was upon the alert; and seeing these draw near, she raised her head with +a loud "tweet!" which attracted the attention of her companions. In a +moment their spread tails closed and came to the ground, their wings +were shut up, and their long necks stretched into the air. Their forms +underwent 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 the +slowest. Now for it. _For-ward_!" + +All three spurred their horses, and dashed forward together, Marengo +leading the chase. In a moment they were within a hundred yards or so +of 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. They +took different directions, confused by being sprung in such haste. Each +of the boys had selected the one he intended pursuing; and upon that one +alone 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 was +likely to be the easiest caught of the three. + +She did not fly far before coming to the ground again; when she ran with +all her might for the nearest clump of timber. Hither Lucien followed, +Marengo leading the way, and occasionally uttering a sonorous yelp as he +ran. As Lucien entered the timber, he saw the dog standing by the root +of a large oak. He had "treed" the turkey, and was looking upward with +glancing eyes, barking and wagging his tail. Lucien rode cautiously +under 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 a +moment; and after the crack, the bird was heard tumbling and fluttering +through 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 the +game which was found to be quite dead. + +Lucien now remounted: and, as he rode out into the open ground, he could +see Basil far off upon the prairies. He was going at full gallop; and +the gobbler with outspread wings was seen some distance ahead of him, +running like an ostrich! Both Basil and gobbler soon disappeared to his +view--lost behind one of the timber islets. Lucien looked for Francois. +The latter was nowhere to be seen--having pursued his gobbler in a +direction where the groves were more thickly studded over the prairie. +Thinking it would be of no use to follow either of them, Lucien rode +slowly 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 chosen +the 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 not +to be discouraged; and, keeping the spurs well to his horse, soon gained +upon him. The turkey again took to his wings, dropping down another +half mile in the advance. Again Basil galloped up; and once more the +old cock rose into the air--this time flying only about a hundred yards +before he alighted. Basil was soon up to him with his fleet horse; but +the 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 ran +faster than the horse. Downhill, the latter gained upon him; and thus +they went, until the bird began to double and circle about, showing all +the symptoms of weariness. Several times the horse ran over him, the +turkey 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 and +long neck among the weeds, like the ostrich, thinking himself thus +hidden from his pursuer. Basil now drew his horse's rein, raised his +long rifle, and the next moment a bullet passed through the gobbler, and +stretched him dead upon the grass. + +Basil then dismounted; and, taking up the turkey, tied its legs to the +cantle of his saddle. This required all Basil's strength, for the bird +was 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 asked +himself before his horse had advanced three lengths of his body--where +was he going? All at once the thought came into his mind that _he was +lost_! Groves of timber were on all sides of him. They were like each +other; or, if they differed, he had not in his wild gallop noted that +difference, and it could not serve to direct him now. He had not the +slightest idea of the point whence he had come, and therefore knew not +in what direction to go. He saw and felt that _he was lost_! + +My young reader, you cannot conceive the thoughts that come over one who +is lost upon the prairies. Such a situation has appalled the stoutest +hearts ere now. Strong men have trembled at feeling themselves thus +alone in the wilderness; and well might they, for they knew that the +consequence has often been _death_. The shipwrecked mariner in his open +boat is scarcely worse off than the lost traveller upon the prairie-sea; +and many, under the circumstances, have gone mad! Fancy then the +feelings of the boy Basil. + +I have already said, he was a cool and courageous lad. He was so, and +proved it now. He did not lose presence of mind. He reined in his +horse, and surveyed the prairie around him with an intelligent eye. It +was all to no purpose. He saw nothing that would give him a clue to the +spot where he had separated from his brothers. He shouted aloud, but +there was neither echo nor answer. He fired off his rifle, and +listened--thinking Lucien or Francois might reply by a similar signal; +but no such signal gratified his ear. He reloaded, and sat for a while +in his saddle, buried in thought. + +"Ha! I have it!" he exclaimed, suddenly raising himself in his +stirrups, "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 he +had but little experience upon the prairies, his wood craft now stood +him in stead. The thought which had so suddenly occurred to him was a +good one, the only one that could with certainty save him. He had +resolved to _return upon his own tracks_. + +He wheeled his horse; and, with eyes bent upon the ground, rode slowly +along. The turf was firm, and the hoof-marks were not deep; but Basil +had a hunter's eye, and could follow the track of a fawn. In a few +minutes he arrived on the spot where he had killed the turkey. The +blood and feathers upon the grass made him sure of this. Here he halted +a moment, until he could determine the direction in which he had +approached this spot. That was at length resolved to his satisfaction; +and he rode slowly in the back-track. After a few lengths of his horse +had been passed over, the trail doubled. Basil followed the double, and +came back, passing almost over the same ground again. Again it doubled +as before, and again and again, without going a hundred yards from the +place where the bird had been shot. All these turnings the young hunter +retraced with the greatest care and patience. In this he showed his +judgment and his knowledge of hunter-craft; for, had he grown impatient +and taken a wider range to find the trail, he might have fallen upon his +last-made tracks, and thus have brought himself into a regular maze. + +After a while the circles in which he travelled became larger; and, to +his 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 his +own. These did not baffle him. They were the tracks of mustangs; and +although Black Hawk was not shod any more than they, his rider knew the +print of the latter's hoof as well as he knew the appearance of his own +rifle. The Arab's track was considerably larger than those of the wild +horses. + +After following the trail backward for nearly an hour,--his eyes all the +time bent upon the ground,--he was suddenly startled by a voice calling +him 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 drew +near, however, his feeling of joy became one of painful apprehension. +There was Lucien,--there were Jeanette and Marengo,--_but where was +Francois_? + +"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 would +come back together. I have been wondering what could have detained you +so 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 had +been attacked by Indians, or some wild animal, and that that was what +Basil meant. "Has anything happened to him? Speak, Basil!" + +"No, no!" replied Basil, still speaking wildly, "lost on the prairie! O +brother, you know not what it is--it is a fearful thing. I have been +lost,--I have got back; but Francois, poor little Francois! there is no +hope for him! he is lost--lost!" + +"But have you not seen him since we all three parted?" inquired Lucien +in dismay. + +"No, not since we parted. I was myself lost, and have been all this +time finding my way. I succeeded by following back my own trail, else +we might never have met again. O Francois! poor brother Francois! what +will 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 got +together, and something had detained them--perhaps the breaking of a +stirrup-leather or a girth, he knew not what--and he was just beginning +to grow uneasy when Basil made his appearance. He knew not what it was +to be lost; but Basil's wild explanations enabled him to conceive what +it _might be_; and he could well appreciate the situation of Francois. +It was no time, however, to indulge in paroxysms of grief. He saw that +Basil was half unmanned; the more so because the latter looked upon +himself as the cause of the misfortune. It was Basil who had counselled +the running of the turkeys and led on to the chase. + +Instead of giving way to despair, however, both felt that they must take +some 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 restored +him to his wonted energy and courage. + +"Is it better we should remain here?" asked Lucien, who knew that his +brother's strong judgment would decide upon the best plan. + +"No," replied the latter; "it is of no use. _I_ could not have found my +way back, but for the tracks of my horse. Francois will not think of +that; and even if he did, _his_ horse is a _mustang_, and the prairie is +covered with mustang tracks, running in every direction. No, no, he +will never come back here, except by chance; and there are a thousand +chances to one against it. No, we must go in search of him; we must go +upon his trail; and that I fear will be impossible among so many others. +Before we leave this place," continued Basil, "let us try every chance +that is left. Are you loaded?" + +"Yes," replied Lucien. + +"Fire, then, a moment or two after I do. The first report may call his +attention 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 beating +audibly. + +For five minutes or more they stood--so that Francois might have time to +load his gun, if empty. There was no response. + +Again the brothers loaded their rifles--with powder only--putting in +heavy charges and ramming home tightly, in order that the explosions +might be the louder. Again they fired as before. The result was the +same; there was no answer to their signal. + +"It proves that he is very distant," said Lucien, "for sounds can be +heard a great way off in this region." + +"Let us try a smoke," said Basil, putting away his rifle. "Gather some +wood, Luce, while I kindle the leaves." + +Basil picked up some pieces of the burning wad; and having taken it out +to the open ground, raked together a pile of dry leaves and grass, and +ignited it. Meanwhile Lucien collected an armful of sticks, and placed +them upon the pile. Others were then thrown on top, with green leaves +and boughs broken from the trees, and, over all, several armfuls of +Spanish moss which hung plentifully from the oaks. A thick blue smoke +soon ascended high into the heavens; and the brothers stood with +searching eyes that scrutinised the prairie in all directions. + +"He must be far off if he cannot see that," remarked Lucien. "It should +be visible for ten miles around, I should think!" + +"At least that much," answered Basil; "but he would not be long in +getting 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, upon +his own trail." + +"No, he would not be likely. Poor little Francois would not think of +it; he has not enough craft for that; and, indeed, I almost hope that he +has not done so." + +"Why do you hope so?" inquired Lucien. + +"Because we will stand a better chance of making out his trail if he has +gone straight forward." + +"True, true," rejoined Lucien, and both again were silent, and stood +watching the prairie openings with anxious eyes. + +They remained for a considerable time, but at length turned to each +other with countenances that exhibited a disappointed and sad +expression. + +"He is not coming," said Lucien, in a sorrowful tone. + +"No; he would have been up long since. He would be certain to gallop if +he had seen the smoke. We must go after him." + +They turned towards their horses. Basil's glance fell upon the dog. A +gleam of joy shot into his eye, and big whole bearing became suddenly +changed. + +"Ha!" he exclaimed, "we have been wasting time. Quick, Lucien!--your +horse! 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 to +lose--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, "give +me your paper and pencil. You tie Jeanette while I write." + +Lucien handed him a small slip of paper with a pencil; and then +proceeded 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 to +follow him. + +Lucien mounted, and rode after, while the dog Marengo trotted in the +rear. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTEEN. + +TRAILING WITH A BLOOD-HOUND. + +They rode in a direct line to the spot where they had started in pursuit +of the turkeys. From this place Francois had taken to the left; but +there 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 followed +his trail by the tracks. Even here we are not certain of it. These +must be his though--they look a little fresher than the others. Let us +try them. Marengo!" + +"Stay, brother!" interrupted Lucien. "The last place I saw Francois was +yonder. I caught a glimpse of him passing round that point of timber." + +"Ha! that is better. Perhaps, there his tracks may be separate from the +others. Come on!" + +They rode about a hundred paces farther, which brought them to the point +of timber indicated by Lucien. + +"Yes," exclaimed Basil, "you are right! He has passed here. There are +his tracks distinctly." + +Basil dismounted, giving Lucien his rein. He knelt upon the grass, and +examined 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 over +the 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 when +starting on the chase. The dog scented the blanket, uttering as he did +so a low whimper, and gazing in his master's face with a look of +intelligence. He seemed to comprehend what was required of him. + +Basil now flung the blanket over his own saddle, stooped again, drew his +fingers along the grass, and, with a wave of his hand, motioned Marengo +to follow its direction. The hound, uttering a single yelp, bent his +nose 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 drop +dead 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 not +ourselves get lost;" and, as he said this, he crashed the branch of a +tree, until the broken end hung dangling downward. He then resumed his +gallop. + +For nearly a mile the hound ran in a direct line. It was the first +flight of the turkey. His course then altered, although not a great +deal, 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 at +a loose gallop, now with their eyes anxiously watching the dog, and now +halting a moment by some conspicuous tree to "blaze" their way, by +breaking one of its branches. + +The dog at length entered a copse. + +"Ha!" exclaimed Basil, "Francois has killed his turkey there. No," he +continued--as the hound shot out of the copse again, and struck off into +the open plain--"no. It has sought shelter there, but it has been run +out again, and gone farther." + +Marengo now led in a direct line for several hundred paces; when, all at +once, he began to double and run in circling courses over the prairie. + +"Draw up, Lucien! draw up!" cried Basil, as he pulled upon his +bridle-rein. "I know what that means. Do not ride upon the track--you +may baffle him--leave him to himself." + +In a few seconds the hound stopped, uttered a short howl, and appeared +to toss a dark object upon the grass with his snout. Basil and Lucien +had halted at a considerable distance, but they could see that the +object was some loose feathers. + +"The spot, beyond doubt, where Francois has killed the turkey," muttered +Basil. "If Marengo can only catch the trail by which he rode off all +may 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, could +find Francois' departing trail, then he could follow it up almost to a +certainty. Of this both the brothers were confident, as they knew the +capabilities of the dog. But that was the point to be decided; and both +felt for the moment as if the life of their brother hung upon its +decision. No wonder, then, that they watched every manoeuvre of the +hound with breathless anxiety while they sat, motionless and silent, in +their saddles. + +The hound after a while ran off from the feathers; and was seen once +more to double and circle over the ground. He did not go freely. He +was evidently baffled by so many trails approaching and crossing each +other. 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 betokened +painful feelings. They knew that the howl was a bad sign; but neither +spoke. + +Once more the dog ran off, and as before turned and wheeled about upon +the 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 the +back-track, bounded in among the feet of their horses. Here he stopped +suddenly, throwing up his head, and uttering another howl of +disappointment. + +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 over +the ground, evidently baffled. The brothers regarded each other with +looks of dismay. _The trail was lost_! + +"Hold! There is hope yet," said Basil. "We may find it by making a +wider circuit. Take my bridle," continued he, throwing himself from his +horse. "Marengo!--up, Marengo!" + +The dog obeyed the call, uttered in accents of command; and came running +up to the feet of his master. The latter, telling Lucien to follow with +the horses, struck off over the prairie. + +He walked slowly, bent forward and downward, carefully observing the +ground as he went. He followed the circumference of an irregular +circle, of wide diameter--in order to keep outside the doublings which +Francois had made in his last struggle after the wearied bird, and which +had thrown the dog out. He passed several horse-trails leading various +ways. All these he examined, but none satisfied him. In this manner he +had gone half a mile around the circle, when his eye fell upon some that +seemed fresher than the rest. He sprang forward, stooping over them +with, 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 been +first set upon the trail--a small chip broken from one of the fore +hoofs. But Marengo needed not this. He was once more on the right +scent; 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 for +several hundred yards--then it would turn suddenly to the right or +left--then turn again and again in zig-zag lines. Sometimes it +described the circumference of a circle and at one or two points it +recrossed itself. At these places the dog was once or twice nearly +baffled again. + +They well knew the reason why the trail thus meandered about. Poor +Francois had been wandering, and knew not which way to go. + +Once more the trail ran direct for a distance of two miles or more. No +doubt Francois had there kept up his resolution and ridden straight +forward; but, as Basil remarked, he had been travelling all the time +with 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 the +end of the stretch it again turned to the right and westward. + +As they faced in this direction, the attention of the brothers was +called to the sky. _The sun was setting_! + +A new feeling of apprehension came over them. They knew there was no +twilight, or next to none, on these high southern plateaux. Should it +come on a dark night, how were they to follow the dog, going as he was +upon 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 no +clue by which he would be enabled to find _them_, or they _him_. + +These thoughts were communicated between the two as they galloped on +side by side. Soon the sun set, and the shades of twilight fell upon +the grass. It grew darker, until it was difficult to distinguish the +dusky 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 his +horse forward to overtake Marengo. The next moment he flung himself +from the saddle; and, seizing the hound, arrested him in his tracks. + +"Alight, brother!" he cried; "alight, and help me. Off with your +shirt--it is whiter than mine." + +Lucien, half comprehending his design, immediately pulled off his +blouse, and after that his shirt--which was of bleached cotton cloth +lightly striped, and in the dim light showed nearly white. Basil took +hold of it; and hurriedly tore off the sleeves. He then drew it upon +the 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, and +knotted the skirts over the flanks behind. Thus arrayed, Marengo looked +like a street monkey; and was rendered quite visible in the glimmering +darkness. + +"Now!" cried Basil, exultingly, "we can follow him if it were as dark as +pitch." + +"Stay a moment," said Lucien; "let us make sure. It is clear enough--I +can write yet." As Lucien said this, he took out his note-book, and +wrote:-- + +"_Francois, come back on your own trail. You will find us upon it. If +you cannot follow it, let Marengo guide you_." + +He tore out the leaf, handing it to Basil, who fastened it securely to +the shirt. + +Marengo was again set loose, and took to the trail, while both mounted +hastily 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 to +enable them to follow it, even at a gallop. And thus they rode for +nearly another hour--Basil still blazing their trail as they swept past +the timber islets. + +All at once, as they rounded a thick grove, a bright object glistened +before their eyes. It was a blazing fire under the shadow of some tall +trees! Marengo made straight for it. Fearing it might be an encampment +of Indians, Basil galloped forward; and, alighting from his horse, +intercepted the dog. A halt was made to determine what was best to be +done. At that moment the fire blazed up, and a spotted object was seen +near it. Hurrah! It was Francois' mustang! Basil and Lucien now +advanced rapidly; and, to their great joy, beheld Francois sitting by +the fire holding something over the blaze. The next moment the brothers +were in each other's arms, all three weeping with joy as they embraced! + +Francois soon related his adventures. He had killed his turkey, and +then lost himself; but instead of going back upon his own trail, as +Basil had done, he had wandered about until night-fall, at intervals +shouting and firing his gun. At times his spirit failed him; and he +rode for long stretches without touching the bridle, or in any way +guiding his horse. Wearied at length, he dismounted, and tied the +animal to a tree. It was night when he did so; and feeling cold and +hungry, he took courage and kindled a fire. Fortunately the gobbler +still hung from the cantle of his saddle; and he had just singed, and +was roasting it over the fire, when so agreeably interrupted by the +approach of his brothers. At sight of the fine broiling turkey, Basil +and Lucien became as hungry as a pair of wolves--for, in consequence of +their anxiety, they had not thought of dining. The roast was soon +ready; and, after a plentiful supper--which Marengo shared--the young +hunters staked their horses upon the grass, wrapped themselves in their +blankets, and went to sleep. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTEEN. + +JEANETTE AND THE JAVALIES. + +Next morning they were astir at an early hour; and, after giving the +remains of the gobbler a hurried "devilling," they ate them, and rode +off 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 own +tracks, and the "blazes" they had made. It was a slow process, and they +were obliged to make frequent halts; but it was a sure one, and they +preferred it on that account, as they knew the importance of getting +back 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 from +a perilous adventure--and joked each other as they rode along. Lucien +was without a shirt--for Marengo had torn it, and it was now draggled, +wet, and worthless. This was a staple joke for Francois. Jeanette came +in for a share of their badinage, as Lucien now remembered that he had +tied her head within a foot of the tree, and of course she would be all +this time without eating a morsel. Moreover, in their hurry, the pack +had been left upon her back; and that was not likely to improve her +temper. + +It was near mid-day when they came within sight of her. + +"Hilloa!" exclaimed Francois, who first caught a glimpse of her round a +point of timber. "What's going on yonder?" + +All three halted, and looked across the plain with astonishment depicted +in 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 the +whole set appeared to bounce up at once; and the white canvas of the +tent, which had got loosened, was flapping up and down, as her body rose +and fell. + +The boys looked on for a moment, with feelings of curiosity, not +unmingled with fear. "It might be Indians," thought they. + +"No," said Basil. "It is wolves--she is attacked by wolves! Let us +hasten to her rescue!" + +All three spurred their horses into a gallop, and soon got within a few +hundred yards. They could now see the ground by the mule's feet, which +was covered, not with wolves, but with animals of a far different +species. They were hog-shaped, with small, dark bodies, and long +pointed snouts. They had no tails--only knobs in their place; and their +tapering snouts opened into a pair of long jaws, with white tusks, that +could 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-hogs +of Mexico. + +All three had pulled up, as soon as they saw the animals were not +wolves. They did not halt long, for Jeanette was in danger. She was +still kicking and squealing like a cat; while the javalies, although +several of them lay stretched behind her heels, were uttering their +shrill grunts, and rushing at her shanks whenever these rested for a +moment upon the earth. There were more than a hundred of them around +her 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, else +they never would have come out of that crowd again. All three had fired +as they rode up. They believed that this would have scattered the +drove; but they found their mistake, for although each of them shot down +a victim, it had no effect; and the next moment, their three horses were +hopping about, plunging and pitching as badly as Jeanette. The javalies +surrounded them with shrill gruntings, driving their tusks into the +horses' shanks, and leaping up almost high enough to reach the riders +themselves. It was well for them they were good riders. Had any of +them been unhorsed at that moment, his fate would have been sealed. +They kept their saddles, however, but without being able to reload their +pieces. 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, and +prepared to retreat. Basil urged his horse forward to the tree, and +with his hunting-knife cut the lasso that fastened Jeanette; then, +shouting to his brothers to follow, started in a gallop across the +prairie. + +Perhaps never was a mule more pleased at getting loose from a fastening +than was that she-mule Jeanette; and never did a mule make better use of +the heels that had been left her. She galloped over the prairie, as if +the very deuce had been after her. But if he _was not_, the javalies +_were_; for on came the whole drove, scores of them, grunting and +screaming as they ran. + +The horses easily distanced them. So, too, did Marengo--but there was +still danger for Jeanette. She had been now nearly two days without +either food or water, and was weak in consequence. Her legs, too, were +much torn by the tusks of the wild-hogs. Moreover, the tent that had +got loose, trailing on one side to the ground, considerably impeded her +flight. This last circumstance in the end proved her salvation; for the +javalies, overtaking her, seized the hanging canvas in their jaws, and +pulled it from the pack. It fell spreading over the grass like a +blanket; and the herd, now coming up and mistaking it for their real +enemy, commenced stamping upon it with their hoofs, and tearing it with +their teeth. This gave Jeanette time; and she was just the mule at that +moment to profit by it. Lightened of her load, she struck out into a +fleet gallop, and soon overtook the horses; and the whole cavalcade now +kept on, until they had placed several miles between themselves and the +javalies. Here they halted with the intention of pitching their camps, +as their animals were not only wearied, but Jeanette was hardly able to +travel at all. The process of "pitching camp" was now considerably +simplified, as they had lost not only their tent, but several of their +camp utensils. + +What had induced the javalies to attack the mule? This was the subject +of conversation with our adventurers, as soon as they had fairly cooled +from their race. They knew that these creatures rarely make an assault +in such a manner without provocation. But it was likely Jeanette had +given them this. No doubt they had been wandering about in search of +food, and lighted upon the turkeys, that Lucien and Basil in their haste +had left lying upon the ground. The wild-hogs are not particular as to +their food. They will eat fish, flesh, or fowl, snakes, or vegetables; +and, finding the brace of birds, had commenced devouring them. In doing +so they had come within reach of Jeanette's heels; who, at that moment +not being in the best temper had no doubt let fly, and kicked one of +them over, and this of course had led to a general onslaught from the +whole herd. + +It was well for Jeanette that her masters arrived when they did, else +her old ribs would soon have cracked under the sharp tusks of the +enraged animals. + +The javalies, or _peccaries_--as they are more often termed by +naturalists--are in general of a harmless disposition; and, if not +interfered with, will rarely make an attack upon man. When provoked, +however--by one of their number being wounded, or even when their haunt +is invaded--they become both fierce and dangerous. Though small +creatures, they possess extreme courage; and their powerful jaws and +large tusks render them formidable assailants. Like all animals of the +hog species when enraged, they seem to be unconscious of danger; and a +herd of them will battle with an enemy until every one has fallen. Not +unfrequently the Mexican hunter is "treed" by javalies, and compelled to +remain on his perch for hours, and sometimes for days, before his +besiegers 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 of +white oaks and shell-bark hickory-trees. There was a spring near the +centre of the grove, and near this spring the horses were tied, as there +grew around it plenty of grass of the mezquite species. The dried meat, +which formed the staple of their own provisions, had been scattered by +Jeanette in her flight, and of course lost. What were they to have for +dinner? 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 they +could fall in with a squirrel or some other eatable creature. But the +sun was yet high, and no squirrels could be seen--for these little +creatures hide themselves during mid-day, coming out only in the +mornings and evenings to feed and play. + +Failing to start any game in the thick shady grove, the young hunters +bethought them of making trial around its edge; and, after walking a +hundred yards or so, they came near the border of the prairie. They did +not show themselves suddenly, as they were in hopes they might discover +deer, partridges, or some other game in--what is usually a favourite +resort--the open ground along the edge of the woods. They stole +silently forward, therefore, using the large tree-trunks to screen them. + +The prairie was a clear one--that is, without timber-islands, only here +and there a tree, and these but small ones, mostly black-jacks and +shell-barks. They could see over its surface to a great extent, as it +was quite level and covered with short spring buffalo-grass. No deer +was upon it. Not an animal of any sort. Yes, there was. On looking +more carefully, at no great distance--about two hundred yards out--they +beheld two small creatures running over the sward, and at intervals +squatting upon their haunches like monkeys, as if conversing with each +other. + +"Prairie-dogs," suggested Francois. + +"No," said Basil, "they are not that, for I see no tails. The +prairie-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 not +bigger 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 good +for? You think they are far off, don't you? I tell you they are not +two hundred yards from us, and a grey squirrel would be a giant beside +them. Hares, indeed!" + +"I am still of that opinion," answered Basil, as he continued to gaze +intently at the animals. "I am not certain, though. I wish Lucien were +here. Perhaps he could tell us what they are." + +"Here he is, then," said Francois, as the footstep of Lucien was heard +behind them. "Look yonder, Luce!" continued he. "See what Basil calls +a pair of full-grown hares!" + +"And Basil is right," replied Lucien, after having examined them for a +moment. "They _are_ full-grown hares." + +Francois looked confounded. + +"If I mistake not," continued Lucien, "they are the species known among +the Indians of the prairie as the `little chief hare.' They may be a +different variety, though, for there are several species of these small +hares found in the Rocky Mountains, and the prairies that lie around +them. They are very rare. I wish we could get the skin of one. I am +sure papa would prize it highly." + +"That we may soon get," said Francois. "Can I not step forward, and +shoot one of them?" + +"No," replied Lucien, "they would be off like the wind, before you could +get within range." + +"What about Marengo? Can he not catch one?" + +"I think not; besides, he would tear it in pieces. No. Our only chance +is to remain here. They appear to be making this way." + +The three now took their stations behind the trunks of large trees, so +as not to be observed by the timid little animals. + +The latter, as they fed and sported over the grass, were still getting +nearer to the edge of the grove; but as they advanced in an oblique +direction, they were not likely to approach the point where the young +hunters were stationed. These thought of moving farther along, so as to +meet them; and were about starting to do so, when an object appeared +that caused them to remain where they were. + +Silently moving among the weeds and brambles, now trotting quickly +behind the covering of a prostrate log, now slowly crawling over the +more 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 the +innocent 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 along +its back. These gave it the appearance of the leopard or tiger species, +and it resembled these animals in the rounded, cat-like form of its +head. Its erect tufted ears, however, and short tail showed that it +differed, in some respects, from the tiger kind. The tail, indeed, was +the oddest thing about it. It was not over five inches in length, +curving stiffly upward, and looking as if it had been "stumped," as the +tails of terriers usually are. It was not so, however. Five inches was +all the tail it ever had; and this shortness of tail, with the thick +clumsy legs--but, above all, the high tufted ears, approaching each +other at their tips,--enabled the young hunters to tell what it was--_a +lynx_. 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 deeper +in 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 seize +one 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 to +some extent by the ground; for, although it was open prairie, the white +withered grass of the previous year rose here and there over the new +growth in tufts, large enough to conceal its body as it squatted. + +Nearly in a direct line between the lynx and the hares grew a solitary +tree, of the _pecan_ species, with spreading limbs; and almost under it +was a little patch or thicket of briars, weeds, and high grass--no doubt +where some old log, or the carcass of an animal, had mouldered away, and +fertilised the soil. For this the lynx was making on one side, and +towards it the hares were feeding on the other. + +The latter had got very near it, and near, too, to the boys, who could +now distinguish their long, erect ears, slender limbs, and graceful +motions--resembling, in fact, those of the common hare. Their colour, +however, was different. It was a rusty fern, lighter underneath, but in +no part--not even under the tail--did any white appear. It was a +beautiful sight to behold these innocent little creatures, now nibbling +at the blades of grass, now leaping a few feet over the sward, and then +settling comically upon their haunches. The young hunters thought it a +beautiful sight; and so would you, boy reader, had you witnessed the +manoeuvres 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 a +large clew of hair or wool of a greyish colour, half-buried in the +ground. 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 only +slightly arrested his attention, as he supposed it to be a tuft of the +dry grass or a globe-cactus (_echinocactus_)--a species of which they +had 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, prompted +by curiosity, they drew nearer and nearer to it. There was nothing +about its appearance to alarm them. They had never been attacked by an +enemy 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 in +boldness, the little creatures advanced, first one and then the other, a +few inches farther, and so on, until their noses almost touched the +strange object. All at once the clew-like body flew out, displaying a +sharp-snouted four-footed animal, whose long serpent-like tail, at the +same instant, sweeping around caught one of the hares in its prehensile +embrace! The little creature uttered a shrill squeak, while its +companion bounded off in terror. + +The opossum (for it was no other than an old she 'possum), now turned +upon 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 and +there, had she been permitted to do so. But that was not ordained to +be. + +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 than +otherwise. + +"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 have +missed 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 by +his actions, as if he had been gifted with speech and had uttered them +aloud. In accordance with them, therefore, he crept on, intending to +spring upon the 'possum unawares. + +The latter, however, before commencing to eat, like all who know that +they have done a guilty deed, raising herself to her full height, looked +around to see if any one had been a witness to the act. Her eyes fell +upon the lynx; and, hastily seizing the hare in her teeth, she plunged +into the bramble. + +The lynx, seeing that further concealment was of no use, bounded forward +with curved back and mane erect. He did not at once follow into the +briars, but ran around them, in order to discover at what point the +'possum had hid herself. He was not without apprehensions that _she +might 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. The +patch covered only a few yards of the prairie, but it was a regular +"brake," with vines, briars, and thistles, thickly interwoven and +canopied with leaves. Neither uttered any noise; but the motion of the +leaves, and of the brambles at different points, told that a hot pursuit +was going on underneath--the pursued no doubt baffling the pursuer, by +her body being much smaller and better adapted for squeezing through +narrow places. + +For some minutes this curious chase was kept up. Then the 'possum +glided out into the open ground, to the astonishment of all still +carrying the hare in her mouth. She made directly for the tree, and +proceeded to climb it, grasping the trunk with her fore-arms, like a +human being. Her taking to the tree also excited surprise, as it was a +small one--not over thirty feet high--and the young hunters knew that +the lynx could climb as well as she. + +The latter now came out of the bramble; and with one bound sprang to the +foot of the pecan. He did not follow up immediately, but stopped a +moment to breathe himself, evidently exulting--as he knew he could +easily climb after, and feeling satisfied that he now had his game safe +and 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' for +the 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'll +chastise you for using it so!" + +And with this determination he galloped up the pecan, his claws rattling +against the bark. + +By this time the opossum had got near the top of the tree, and out upon +one of the branches that grew horizontally. Along this the lynx +followed; and had arrived almost within reach of the object of his +pursuit, when the opossum, suddenly lapping the branch with her tail, +let herself down to the limb below! The lynx appeared for a moment as +if about to spring after; but the limb was a slender one, and he was not +sure that he might be able to grasp it. He, therefore, turned back, +evidently chagrined; and, descending by the main trunk, ran out upon the +branch now occupied by the opossum. The latter, as before, again let +herself down to another limb; and then, without waiting for her pursuer, +to another still lower, until she hung on the very lowermost branch of +the tree! + +The boys thought she was about to drop to the ground, and endeavour to +escape to the woods. That, however, was not her intention, for she knew +the lynx would soon overtake her if she made the attempt. She had got +into the safest situation possible, under the circumstances, and _she_ +seemed to know it. She therefore continued to hang on the lowest limb +of the pecan--so near its extremity, that the branch bent under her +weight. It would not have carried another 'possum--much less the +heavier body of a lynx; and the latter, with the "eye of a lynx," saw +that at a glance. + +Mortified as he was, however, he was determined to satisfy himself by a +trial. He first crawled out upon the limb, proceeding with great +caution as far as he dared venture; and then with outstretched claw +endeavoured to reach the rings of her tail, thinking he might scratch +them off. In this he was not successful. He could barely touch the +tail with his toes; and he might just as well have tried to open the +claws of an eagle. He next mounted the brands above, thinking this +would bring him nearer; but he soon discovered his mistake. Again he +ran out upon the limb where the opossum hung, and looked for a moment as +if determined to spring down upon her, and carry her along with him to +the earth; but the distance deterred him, and after a while he skulked +back 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 spring +up and seize her by the nose? It was at all events easy to make the +trial. 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 higher +than he had calculated; and, like the fox with the grapes, after a few +leaps he gave it up. He was resolved, however, to make her stand a +siege; and, thinking he would be as comfortable where he was, he did not +return to the tree, but sat down upon the grass, keeping his eyes fixed +upon his antagonist. + +All this while the old 'possum hung quietly upon her tail, holding the +hare in her teeth. From the moment she had secured herself in her +present position, she seemed to have no fear of her antagonist. On the +contrary, her countenance exhibited the expression of a malicious +laugh--and this was as evident to the spectators, as words could have +made it. The cunning creature plainly enjoyed the chagrin she was +causing to the "catamount." + +At intervals, however, the thought seemed to stray across her mind as to +how it would all end: and then she assumed a graver look. The lynx, was +determined--she saw that in his face--to make her stand a long siege. +It would be, therefore, a question of patience and hunger. For the +latter she was prepared; and, to enable her to endure it the better, she +passed the hare into her hand-like fore-feet, and commenced tearing and +eating it! + +This was too much for the patience of the lynx. He could bear it no +longer, but rose suddenly to his feet; and, with mane erect, rushed up +the tree again, and out upon the branch where hung the opossum. This +time, without stopping to calculate the danger, he sprang forward, +throwing his fore-feet around the other's hips, and seizing her tail in +his teeth. The branch creaked, then broke, and both fell together to +the 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 a +true cat; and, with a wild scream, pounced down upon the 'possum. He +seemed to have forgotten the hare, which the other had dropped in her +fall. 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 clewed +herself up; and now presented the same appearance as when she first came +upon the stage. Head, neck, limbs, and tail, were no longer visible-- +nothing but a round ball of thick, woolly hair! At this the catamount +tugged with "teeth and toe-nails." He worried it for not less than ten +minutes, 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 all +events, he became tired, and left off worrying her. The sweeter +morsel--the hare--was before his eyes; and this, perhaps, tempted him to +desist, 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 rushed +forward with shouts. + +The lynx, seeing his retreat cut off from the timber, struck out upon +the prairie; but the great hound soon overtook him; and after a short +but desperate fight, put an end to his poaching. + +The young hunters in the pursuit had picked up the hare, which the lynx +had dropped in his flight. When the chase was over they came back to +the tree, with the intention of getting the dead 'possum, which they +meant to cook for their supper. To their astonishment no 'possum was +there--neither in the tree, nor the briar-patch beside it, nor anywhere! +The sly creature had been "playing 'possum" throughout all that +terrible worrying; and, finding the coast clear, had "unclewed" herself, +and stolen off to her hiding-place under the roots of some neighbouring +tree! + +Nothing remained but the body of the lynx and the poor little carcass of +the hare. The former none of our adventurers cared to eat, although it +is often eaten both by the trappers and Indians--and the latter was so +torn and chawed as to render it worthless. So, since no other game--not +even a squirrel--could be found about the place, all four--Lucien, +Basil, Francois, and _Marengo_, went to sleep--for the first time since +the 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--and +came nigh paying dearly enough for it. + +The three brothers slept lying along the ground within a few feet of one +another. Their tent was gone, and, of course, they were in the open +air. They were under a large spreading tree, and, wrapped in their +blankets, had been sleeping soundly through the night. Day was just +beginning to break, when something touched Francois on the forehead. It +was a cold, clammy object; and, pressing upon his hot skin, woke him at +once. He started as if a pin had been thrust into him; and the cry +which he uttered awoke also his companions. Was it a snake that had +touched him? Francois thought so at the moment, and continued to think +so while he was rubbing his eyes open. When this feat was accomplished, +however, he caught a glimpse of some object running off, that could not +be a snake. + +"What do you think it was?" inquired Basil and Lucien, in the same +breath. + +"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 to +run. Basil and Lucien looked, and saw them as well. They were about +the size of wolves, but appeared to be quite black, and not like wolves +at all. What could they be? They had suddenly passed into a darker +aisle among the trees, and the boys had only caught a glimpse of them as +they went in. They could still distinguish their two bodies in the +shade, but nothing more. What could they be? Perhaps javalies? This +thought, no doubt, occurred to the brothers, because of their late +adventure 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 of +their blankets, and each had grasped his gun, which they always kept +close by them when asleep. + +They remained in this position, straining their eyes up the gloomy alley +after 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 front +of the animals. Instead of retreating from the latter, as the boys +expected, the upright figure stood still. To their further +astonishment, the two animals ran up to it, and appeared to leap against +it, as if making an attack upon it! But this could not be--since the +figure did not move from its place, as one would have done who had been +attacked. On the contrary, after a while, it stooped down, and appeared +to 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 know +not what else it could be; but those _are no dogs_, or I never saw +such." + +This Lucien uttered with emphasis and in a serious tone, that caused the +brothers to draw closer to each other. + +During all this time Marengo stood by, restrained by them from rushing +forward. The dog had not awaked until the first cry of Francois roused +him. He was wearied with the long gallop of the preceding days; and, +like his masters, had been sleeping soundly. As all started almost +simultaneously, a word from Basil had kept him in--for to this he had +been well trained--and without a signal from him he was not used to +attack any creature, not even his natural enemies. He therefore stood +still, looking steadily in the same direction as they, and at intervals +uttering a low growl that was almost inaudible. There was a fierceness +about it, however, that showed he did not regard the strange objects as +friends. Perhaps he knew what they were, better than any of the party. + +The three mysterious creatures still remained near the same spot, and +about fifty yards from the boys. They did not remain motionless though. +The two smaller ones ran over the ground--now separating from the +upright figure and then returning again, and appearing to caress it as +before. The latter now and then stooped, as if to receive their +caresses, and--when they were not by--as though it was gathering +something from the ground. It would then rise into an upright position, +and remain motionless as before. All their manoeuvres were performed in +perfect silence. + +There was something mysterious--awe-inspiring in these movements; and +our young hunters observed them, not without feelings of terror. They +were both puzzled and awed. They scarcely knew what course to adopt. +They talked in whispers, giving their counsels to each other. Should +they creep to their horses, mount, and ride off? That would be of no +use; for if what they saw was an Indian, there were, no doubt, others +near; and they could easily track and overtake them. They felt certain +that the strange creatures knew they were there--for indeed their +horses, some thirty yards off, could be plainly heard stamping the +ground and cropping the grass. Moreover, one of the two animals had +touched and smelt Francois; so there could be no mistake about _it_ +being aware of their presence. It would be idle, therefore, to attempt +getting 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 should +either be assailed by their mysterious neighbours, or the clearer light +might enable them to make out who and what these were. + +As it grew clearer, however, their awe was not diminished; for they now +saw that the upright figure had two thick strong-looking arms, which it +held out horizontally, manoeuvring with them in a singular manner. Its +colour, too, appeared reddish, while that of the small animals was deep +black! Had they been in the forests of Africa, or _South_ instead of +_North_ America, they would have taken the larger figure for that of a +gigantic ape. As it was, they knew it could not be that. + +The light suddenly became brighter--a cloud having passed off the +eastern sky. Objects could be seen more distinctly, and then the +mystery, that had so long held the young hunters in torturing suspense, +was solved. The large animal reared up and stood with its side towards +them; and its long pointed snout, its short erect ears, its thick body +and shaggy coat of hair, showed that it was no Indian nor human creature +of 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 to +his 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 grizzly +bear_!" + +His advice came too late. The crack of Basil's rifle was heard; and the +bear dropping upon all fours, danced over the ground shaking her head +and snorting furiously. The light had deceived Basil; and instead of +hitting her in the head as he had intended, his bullet glanced from her +snout, doing her but little harm. Now, the snout of a bear is its most +precious and tender organ, and a blow upon that will rouse even the most +timid species of them to fury. So it was with this one. She saw whence +the shot came; and, as soon as she had given her head a few shakes, she +came in a shuffling gallop towards the boys. + +Basil now saw how rashly he had acted, but there was no time for +expressing regrets. There was not even time for them to get to their +horses. Before they could reach these and draw the pickets, the bear +would overtake them. Some one of them would become a victim. + +"Take to the trees!" shouted Lucien; "if it be a grizzly bear, she +cannot climb." + +As Lucien said this, he levelled his short rifle and fired at the +advancing animal. The bullet seemed to strike her on the flank, as she +turned 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 thrown +away his rifle, not having time to reload. Francois, when he saw the +great monster so near, dropped his gun without firing. + +All three in their haste climbed separate trees. It was a grove of +white oaks, as we have already stated; and these trees, unlike the +pines, or magnolias, or cypress-trees, have usually great limbs growing +low down and spreading out horizontally. These limbs are often as many +feet in length as the tree itself is in height. + +It was upon these that they had climbed--Basil having taken to that one +under which they had slept, and which was much larger than the others +around. At the foot of this tree the bear stopped. The robes and +blankets drew her attention for the moment. She tossed them over with +her great paws, and then left them, and walked round the trunk, looking +upward, at intervals uttering loud "sniffs," that sounded like the +"'scape" of a steam-pipe. By this time Basil had reached the third or +fourth branch from the ground. He might have gone much higher; but, +from what Lucien had suggested, he believed the animal to be a grizzly +bear. Her colour, which was of a fern or fulvous brown, confirmed him +in that belief--as he knew that grizzly bears are met with of a great +variety of colours. He had nothing to fear then, even on the lowest +branch, and he thought it was no use going higher. So he stopped and +looked down. He had a good view of the animal below; and to his +consternation he saw at a glance that it was _not_ a grizzly, but a +different species. Her shape, as well as general appearance, convinced +him it was the "cinnamon" bear--a variety of the black, and one of the +best tree-climbers of the kind. This was soon put beyond dispute, as +Basil saw the animal throw her great paws around the trunk, and commence +crawling upward! + +It was a fearful moment. Lucien and Francois both leaped back to the +ground, uttering shouts of warning and despair. Francois picked up his +gun, and without hesitating a moment ran to the foot of the tree, and +fired both barrels into the hips of the bear. The small shot hardly +could have penetrated her thick shaggy hide. It only served to irritate +her afresh, causing her to growl fiercely; and she paused for some +moments, as if considering whether she would descend and punish the +"enemy in the rear," or keep on after Basil. The rattling of the latter +among the branches above decided her, and on she crawled upward. + +Basil was almost as active among the branches of a tree as a squirrel or +a monkey. When about sixty feet from the ground, he crawled out upon a +long limb that grew horizontally. He chose this one, because he saw +another growing above it, which he thought he might reach as soon as the +bear followed him out upon the first; and by this means get back to the +main trunk before the bear, and down to the ground again. After getting +out upon the limb, however, he saw that he had miscalculated. The +branch upon which he was, bending down under his weight, so widened the +distance between it and the one above, that he could not reach the +latter, even with the tips of his fingers. He turned to go back. To +his horror the bear was at the other end in the fork, and _preparing to +follow 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 was +fifty feet from the ground. To leap down appeared the only alternative +to escape the clutches of the bear, and that alternative was certain +death! + +The bear advanced along the limb. Francois and Lucien screamed below, +loading their pieces as rapidly as they could; but they feared they +would be too late. + +It was a terrible situation; but it was in such emergencies that the +strong mind of Basil best displayed itself; and, instead of yielding to +despair, he appeared cool and collected. His mind was busy examining +every chance that offered. + +All at once a thought struck him; and, obedient to its impulse, he +called to his brothers below,-- + +"A rope! a rope! Fling me a rope! Haste! for heaven's sake haste! a +rope, 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 it +as he took it up. Lucien could throw a lasso almost as well as Basil +himself; and that was equal to a Mexican "vaquero" or a "gaucho" of the +Pampas. He ran nearly under the limb, twirled the lasso around his +head, and launched it upwards. + +Basil, to gain time, had crept out upon the limb as far as it would bear +him, while his fierce pursuer followed after. The branch, under their +united weight, bent downward like a bow. Fortunately, it was oak, and +did 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 he +could 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 directly +between them, passing a few feet over it. Before it could slip back +again, and fall off, the young hunter had grasped it; and with the +dexterity of a packer, double-knotted it around the limb. The next +moment, and just as the great claws of the bear were stretched forth to +clutch 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 a +short one, and part of it had been taken up in the hasty knotting. +Lucien and Francois, in consternation, had observed this from below, as +soon as it first hung down. They had observed it, and prepared +themselves accordingly; so that, when Basil reached the end of the rope, +he saw his brothers standing below, and holding a large buffalo-skin +stretched out between them. Into this he dropped; and the next moment +stood upon the ground unhurt. + +And now came the moment of triumph. The tough limb, that had been held +retent by Basil's weight, becoming so suddenly released, flew upward +with a jerk. + +The unexpected violence of that jerk was too much for the bear. Her +hold gave way; she was shot into the air several feet upwards, and +falling with a dull heavy sound to the earth, lay for a moment +motionless! She was only stunned however, and would soon have struggled +up again to renew the attack; but, before she could regain her feet, +Basil had laid hold of Francois' half-loaded gun; and, hurriedly pouring +down 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 had +now partially recovered, by way of revenging himself for the castigation +he had received from their mother, attacked them with fury. The little +creatures fought fiercely; and, together, would have been more than a +match 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 as +may be. A rare-looking trio they were. The old one could not have +weighed less than five hundred pounds. Her long, rough coat was of a +fawn, or cinnamon colour, while the cubs were of a uniform black. This, +however, is quite a common thing; and, what is still more singular, the +cubs of the black bear are often seen of a reddish or cinnamon colour, +while the mother herself is pure black. No doubt the cubs when +full-grown change to the colour of their own species; but even at all +ages bears of the same species are found varying in colour from +difference of climate or other circumstances. + +On the continent of North America, say the naturalists, but three +species of bears are found, viz the "black," the "polar," and the +"grizzly." This is not certain, however, for the cinnamon bear, of +which we have been speaking, is probably a species distinct from the +black. If so, there are four kinds on that continent, and, perhaps, a +fifth; as the brown bear of the Hudson's Bay furriers, hitherto set down +as a variety of the black, is more likely the Russian or brown bear of +Europe. It may have reached the American continent by Kamschatka, where +it is a common species. + +The polar bear is found only in the snowy regions that border the Arctic +Ocean; and never ranges above one hundred miles from the sea. The +"grizzly," for strength, courage, and ferocity, takes the first place +among 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 our +present subject; and as all that is known of the cinnamon variety goes +to show that its habits are similar to those of the black, what is here +said of the one may be considered applicable to both. + +The black bear (_Ursus Americanus_) is said to resemble the brown bear +of Europe. I can see no resemblance. There is enough of difference, +certainly, to constitute them separate and distinct species. The former +has one molar tooth more than the latter; besides, the profile of the +black bear is not so much arched, or convex, as that of the brown. In +every respect, except habits, they are unlike each other. Their habits +are nearly similar. + +The whole American continent is the range of the black bear. He can +live, and no doubt enjoy life, in all climates. He is equally at home +in the icy regions of Canada and the tropic swamps of Louisiana. He is +found from the shores of the Atlantic to the Pacific. He inhabits thick +forests, and ranges in rocky desert regions, where scarcely any timber +grows. He prefers wooded districts, however; and in these is most +commonly met with. + +Black bears were very plentiful in America previous to its colonisation +by the whites. The demand for their skins caused them to be much hunted +since that event; and of course they are growing less numerous every +day. The fur companies during the last hundred years have obtained +thousands upon thousands of their skins both from white and Indian +hunters. There are still many of these animals found in wild, unsettled +parts; and even in the old and long-inhabited states they are +occasionally met with in secluded and mountainous districts. You would +wonder that they have not been extirpated long ago--being such large +creatures, easily discovered and easily tracked; besides, it is always +an ambition with the settlers and amateur-hunters to kill them. +Moreover, but two cubs are produced at a litter, and that only happens +once a-year. The fact is, that during winter, when the snow is on the +ground and the bear might be easily tracked and destroyed, he does not +show himself, but lies torpid in his den--which is either a cave in the +rocks or a hollow tree. This happens only in the northern countries, +where there are snows and severe winters. In these he disappears for +several months, hiding himself in his dark lair, and living, as the +hunters assert, by "sucking his paws." This assertion, however, I will +not attempt to corroborate. All I can say is, that he retires to his +lurking-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 old +she-animals are never killed during the period of gestation--for they +are never met with at that time. It has been said there is no hunter to +be found in all America who remembers having killed a she-bear with +young, either of the black or grizzly species. Now this is not the case +with most other animals--such as foxes and wolves--which are often +killed with a whole litter of young, many of their species being thus +destroyed 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 on +this account while with young, she rarely, if ever, falls a victim to +the hunters. When the cubs are large enough to go abroad, she takes +them out, treating them with as much tenderness as a mother would her +children. She will lay down her life for them at any time, defending +them with great courage when attacked. It has been said that, like the +alligator-mother, she is sometimes called upon to protect them from +their savage fathers, who would devour them if they could. This I do +not believe. + +The black bears are omnivorous. They will eat fish, flesh, fowl, and +vegetables. 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 lick +up the larva of insects greedily, turning over great logs to get at +them. In the south they tear open the nests of turtles and alligators, +and devour the eggs; and, where there are settlements, they steal into +the fields and eat quantities of young corn and potatoes, making sad +havoc with the crops. They will devour pigs and other animals, eating +their 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 hunger +with putrid carcass, or, in short, with anything that is eatable by any +other creature. + +Notwithstanding the disgusting variety of his food, the flesh of the +black bear is very palatable. It is a treat among the Indians and white +hunters--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 therefore +during his winter retirement entertains himself by sucking them. + +There are many ways of capturing the bear. He is hunted by trained +hounds. When thus attacked he will run straight on for ten miles, if +his pursuers do not press him too close. When overtaken, however, he +turns upon the dogs; and, should one of the latter come near enough, a +single blow of his paws will usually send it sprawling. He runs +awkwardly on his plantigrade feet; but, although from his great length +and size he appears to move but slowly, it is not so. He manages to +shuffle over the ground much more rapidly than one would suppose. He +can overtake a man on foot--although a mounted hunter, with his dogs, +will easily overtake _him_. When he finds that he cannot escape by +running, he takes to a tree; and, having clambered high up, tries to +hide himself among the leaves. He does not often succeed in this, as +the keen noses of the hounds guide them to the right tree, where they +stand barking and howling until the hunters come up. These finding the +bear "treed," rarely fail to bring him down with their rifles. He will +then, if only wounded, fight fiercely both with dogs and hunters; but it +is only at such times that the black bear will contend with man; as, +when not attacked by the latter, he will never attack him. When +wounded, however, or assailed by the hunter, he becomes a dangerous +antagonist; and men have been dreadfully mutilated and torn on such +occasions, escaping only with their lives. Some there are who have been +nearly crushed to death by his "hug." + +The black bear is often trapped and snared, in various ways--such as by +log-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 which +the black bear figures as the hero. Many stories of his peculiar habits +are related in the back settlements of America, some of which are true, +while others partake largely of exaggeration. We have not room for +these, however; and I have given you only _facts_, such as will enable +you to form some idea of the general habits of this animal. + +Most of these facts were communicated by Lucien to his brothers, while +they were engaged in preparing their breakfast; and, as all three were +very hungry, this was the first thing that occupied them after the bears +had been killed. + +The breakfast consisted of part of a cub, which was cleared of the hair +by being singed, and then roasted. They knew that bear-meat, like pork, +is spoiled by skinning; and they followed the Indian fashion of +preparing it. They made a hearty meal, as the cub-meat proved both +tender and juicy--having a flavour something between young pork and +veal. Of course, Marengo had his breakfast as well, coming in for +refuse 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, of +coarse, reserved these delicate morsels to themselves. + +As soon as breakfast was finished, and their animals had been led to the +water, the brothers met together in a "council of three." It was +necessary to take into consideration how they should now act. Their +circumstances were very much altered. The whole of their provisions of +dried meat, flour, and coffee, had been dropped by Jeanette in her +flight, and, of course, eaten up or destroyed by the javalies. +Henceforth they would have to depend entirely on their guns to supply +them. The loss of their tent did not vex them, as in the fine summer +weather, which they then had, they thought nothing of sleeping in the +open air. But to be deprived of their coffee, that much-prized luxury +of the prairie traveller, was a great chagrin. However, as Basil +observed, they would have to get along without it. It would not be long +before they should come across the buffalo, and with the delicious +"hump-ribs" in plenty, hunters rarely long for other luxuries. All +three felt satisfied that the buffalo-range was not far off, and that by +keeping due westward they would soon be gratified with the sight of +large droves of these animals. They resolved, however, to act with +caution. They had heard that many tracts of the prairies are almost +barren of game. With this fact before their minds, they were not going +to leave so much good food behind them as appeared to be in the carcass +of the bear. She therefore must be "jerked," and packed upon Jeanette, +in lieu of the load which the latter had kicked off. So, with these +intentions, Basil and Francois set to skinning her, while Lucien +commenced collecting dry wood for a large fire. Of course they intended +staying another night in the same camp, as it would take a day, at +least, to "jerk" the bear-meat. + +The bear was soon skinned and cut up into thin slices and strips--for +that is the mode adopted in "jerking," or preserving without salt. It +is usual to cure the meat by simply hanging it over poles or lines, in a +hot sun; where it will dry sufficiently in three days, so that there +will be no risk of its spoiling afterwards. But our adventurers did not +wish to be detained so long, and therefore adopted another mode of +curing it--that was by "barbecueing" it slightly over a fire. This was +the plan:--A shallow pit was scooped out in the ground, and across it +were laid green saplings, parallel to each other. Into the pit were +thrown 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 hunters +usually 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 usually +is. It was roasted, to be ready for eating at once--as they designed +bringing 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. With +this fat--which beyond a doubt was genuine _bear's grease_--he anointed +poor Jeanette's shanks, that had been almost clean skinned by the teeth +of the javalies. She had been suffering with them ever since, and the +application 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. As +it had suddenly grown chilly, they lay with their feet towards it, such +being the usual practice of hunters when sleeping by a fire. When the +feet are warm, the remainder of the body can easily be kept so; but, on +the contrary, when one's feet become cold, it is scarcely possible to +sleep. They were not troubled with cold, and all three were soon +sleeping soundly. + +From the necessity of supplying the barbecue every now and then with +fresh embers, a large fire had been kept up during the day. It still +continued to blaze and crackle in a bright red pile. The meat remained +resting upon the saplings, where it had been placed to dry. + +No one had thought of keeping watch. When camping out at night, in +their hunting expeditions in the swamps of Louisiana, they had not +accustomed themselves to this habit, and they did not think of its being +necessary here. It is the fear of Indians alone that causes the prairie +traveller to keep sentry during the live-long night; but our young +hunters had much less fear of them than might be supposed. There had +been as yet no hostilities in this quarter between whites and Indians; +besides, Basil knew that he carried a token of friendship should the +latter come upon them. + +They had not been more than half-an-hour asleep when a growl from +Marengo awoke them. They all started up into a sitting posture, and +looked anxiously out into the darkness. They could see nothing strange. +The great trunks of the trees, with the long silvery moss of whitish +hue, were glistening in the light of the still blazing fire. All the +space between was gloomy and black as ebony. They could hear nothing +that sounded strange. There was not a breath of air stirring, so that +the trees were still and silent, as if asleep. Only up among their +leaves and high tops, the tree-frogs (_Hyloidea_) and cicadas kept up +their continuous music. Amid their numerous and varied calls could be +distinguished the "ll-l-luk" of the tree-toad (_Hyla versicolor_); and +from the aquatic plants, that lined the spring close by, came the merry +chirrup of the _Hylodes gryllus_, or "Savanna cricket." Far up among +the leaves of the oaks the little green tree-frog repeated his tinkling +bell-like note that fell with a pleasant sound upon the ear. But all +these were the usual voices of the night--the voices of the southern +forest--and they produced no strange impression upon the listening +hunters. The call of the _Hyla_, indeed--loud and oft-repeated as it +was--warned them that a rain-storm was near; and the darkness of the sky +above confirmed the warning. + +But it was not these sounds that had caused Marengo to spring up with +such a savage growl; and the boys continued attentively listening to +discover what it could have been. + +The dark aisles of the forest sparkled with moving lights. The +fire-flies were abroad in thousands; and their phosphoric lamps, more +than 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 very +different from those of the insects. They were low down near the +surface of the ground. They were round, of a fiery green lustre, and +appeared in motion. Now they remained shining steadily for some +moments, then they disappeared, but immediately shone out afresh in some +other place. There were many of them moving about. They were not +fire-flies. + +Our hunters knew what they were--they were the eyes of animals--of _wild +beasts_! This they knew, but no more. What sort of animals they might +be was a thing about which they were all three ignorant; and this +uncertainty 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, and +preparing themselves for the worst. They were, of course, already seen +by the animals, sitting as they did in the light of the fire. Marengo +stood by, looking into the darkness, and at intervals uttering the growl +with which he was accustomed to hail the presence of an enemy. + +The shining eyes appeared to multiply. All at once a dog was heard to +utter three distinct barks. Was it a dog? No. The long and piteous +howl that followed told that the animal was no dog, but a wolf--_the +barking-wolf (Canis latrans_). The moment it had ceased, another took +up the strain, and then another and another, until the woods rang on all +sides with their hideous howls. This did not come from any particular +side, but seemed everywhere; and as the boys looked into the dark aisles +between the tree-trunks, they could perceive glancing eyes--a perfect +circle of them all around! + +"Bah!" cried Basil, now breaking silence, "it's only a pack of +prairie-wolves. Who cares for their howling?" + +The minds of all were thus set at rest. They had no fear of +prairie-wolves; which, though fierce enough when attacking some poor +deer or wounded buffalo, are afraid of anything in the shape of man; and +will skulk off, whenever they think the latter has any intention to +attack them. This, however, is seldom the case, as the prairie hunter +does not care to waste a bullet upon them; and they are often permitted +to 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 found +in America. They are not much larger than English terriers, and quite +as cunning as the English fox. They can hardly be caught or trapped in +any way--though they can be easily run down with horses and dogs. They +are of a dull, reddish hue, mixed with a grizzle of white hairs. This +is their usual colour, though, like other animals, there are varieties. +They have thick bushy tails, black at the tips, and one-third the length +of their bodies. They resemble the dogs found among the prairie +Indians, of which they are, no doubt, the progenitors. They are met +with throughout all the regions from the Mississippi westward to the +Pacific, and southward into Mexico. They hunt in packs, like the +jackals; and will run down deer, buffaloes, or any other animals which +they 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 wait +until some one gets separated--a young calf, or, perhaps, a decrepit old +bull--which they fall upon and worry to pieces. They follow all parties +of hunters and travellers--taking possession of a camp-ground, the +moment its occupants have moved out, and devouring every scrap of +eatables that may have been left behind. They will, even, sometimes +steal into the camp by night, and appropriate the very morsel which the +hunter had designed for his breakfast in the morning. This sometimes +leads to a spirit of retaliation; and the indignant hunter, growing less +provident of his powder and lead, cracks away until he has laid several +of them stretched along the grass. + +They are more numerous than any other species of American wolves; and on +this account--having so many mouths to feed, and so many stomachs to +satisfy--they often suffer from extreme hunger. Then, but not till +then, they will eat fruits, roots, and vegetables--in short, anything +that may sustain life. + +These wolves take their trivial name from their being met with +principally on the great prairies of the west--although other species of +American wolves are found in the prairie country as well as they. They +are sometimes called "barking" wolves; because, as we have noticed, the +first two or three notes of their howl resemble the bark of a dog. It +ends, however, in a prolonged and disagreeable scream. + +"I am glad it is they," said Lucien, in reply to Basil's remark. "It is +well it is no worse. I was afraid it was our friends, the javalies, who +had 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 an +ounce of it by morning." + +"That is true enough," replied Lucien; "but we need not all watch. You +and Francois go to sleep. I'll stand sentry." + +"No," responded Basil. "Go _you_ and Francois to sleep. Let me keep +watch." + +"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 of +hours or so--until he became sleepy--when he was to awake and be +relieved by Lucien; who, in his turn, could arouse Francois. This being +arranged, the two latter wrapped themselves in their blankets and lay +down again, while Basil sat alone, now gazing into the fire, and then +into 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 awaking +by the bear-scrape of the previous morning; besides, they had been at +work all day, and were wearied. This they must have been, to have gone +to sleep with such a discordant howling around them--enough to have kept +an opium-eater awake. Basil was wearied as well as they; and he soon +began to feel what a painful thing it is to keep awake when one is +sleepy. The eyes of the wolves continued to glare upon him from all +sides; but he did not dread them any more, than if they had been so many +hares. There appeared to be a very large pack of them though. The +odoriferous bear-meat had, no doubt, collected all there were for miles +around--in addition to numbers that had been following the trail for +days past. As Basil watched them, he saw they were growing bolder, and +gradually approaching nearer. At length, some of them came upon the +spot, where lay the bones of the bear at some distance out from the +fire. These they attacked at once; and through the dim light Basil +could see them rushing from all quarters to come in for a share. He +could hear the bones cracking under their teeth, and could see them +struggling and worrying the skeleton and each other in a moving mass. +This soon ended. The bones were scraped clean in a twinkling; and the +wolves now left them, and scattered over the ground as before. + +"Come," soliloquised Basil, "I must have more light; they may steal a +march upon me;" and he rose up and threw several armfuls of wood upon +the fire, which soon blazed up again, reflecting the yellow eyes of the +wolves in dozens of pairs all around him. This helped to brighten Basil +a little, and keep him awake; but he sat down again by the fire, and +soon became drowsy as before. Every now and then he caught himself +nodding; and, each time, as he shook himself awake, he noticed that the +wolves had ventured nearer to the bear-meat. He could easily have shot +any one of them, and thus drive them off for a time; but he did not wish +either to waste his ammunition, or startle his companions. + +As he sat cogitating how he would best keep awake, an idea came into his +head, which caused him to leap to his feet, as if he intended to execute +some 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 we +didn'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 looped +them securely together, he flung the other end of the lasso over a high +branch, until it hung down so that he could reach it. He now pulleyed +up the meat--until it was ten feet or more from the ground--and then +fastened his rope to a log. + +"Now, gentlemen," muttered he, fancifully addressing the wolves, "you +may prowl about and howl till your throats are sore, but you don't keep +me five minutes longer from my rest--that you don't." + +So saying, he laid himself down, and commenced wrapping himself in his +blankets. + +"Ha!" he continued, as he caught a glimpse of several of the animals +running forward and looking upwards at the swinging meat; "Ha! +Messieurs Loups, don't you wish you may get it? Ha! ha! ha! Good +night!" + +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 present +occasion as he thought himself--not half so cunning as the wolves, whom +he believed he had outwitted. The latter, seeing that he had gone to +sleep, boldly drew nearer and nearer, until scores of them covered the +spot over which hung the meat. Here they ran about, tumbling over each +other, and all looking upward. They remained silent, however, lest they +might awake the sleepers. Some sat quietly on their hams with eyes +fixed on the tempting morsel, but not making any effort to get at it, as +they knew it was beyond their reach. These were, no doubt, the older +and wiser ones. Others kept trying their prowess in lofty leaping; but, +although the most active of them could get their noses within a few +inches of the meat, it only tantalised them the more. One, however, who +seemed the best jumper of the pack, at last succeeded in snatching a +small piece that hung lower than the main bunch. He was immediately set +upon as soon as he had touched the ground, and chased and worried by the +rest, until he was glad to drop the morsel to save himself. His +success, however, emboldened others to try; and they went on springing +upward as before--but to no purpose. + +A new idea, however, seemed now to have got into the heads of the older +ones; they who up to this time had sat looking on. Several of these ran +towards the log, where the lasso was tied; and, seizing the latter in +their teeth, commenced gnawing it! It did not take them long to +accomplish their purpose. In less than two minutes' time, the heavy +mass 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 it +was; and, starting up, seized his rifle and ran forward, followed by +Francois 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 the +bear-meat. Two were killed by the rifle-bullets; and a third--which +Francois had peppered with shot--was overtaken and worried to death by +Marengo. + +The meat was soon gathered up; and Basil, who though somewhat chagrined +was still confident of his plan, once more looped it in the lasso, and +pulleyed it up. This time, however, he tied the end of his rope to the +high branch of a tree; and as the wolves are not tree-climbers, all felt +certain that, cunning as these creatures are, they could not reach it +thus secured. + +After throwing more wood upon the fire, the three brothers again took to +their blankets, expecting that nothing would occur to disturb them +before the morning. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. + +THE CIRCLE OF FIRE. + +That expectation, however, was a vain one. Poor lads! they little +thought what was before them. Their nerves were to be tried still +farther, and by as severe a test as they had yet endured. The wolves +howled fearfully around the camp, and their eyes still shone through the +gloom. But this would not have kept the boys from sleeping, had their +attention not been called to another sound--the voice of a far different +creature. They heard it amidst the howlings of the wolves, and knew it +at once, for it resembled not these. It was more like the squalling of +an angry cat, but far louder, fiercer, and more terrible. _It was the +scream of the cougar_! + +I say that the young hunters recognised the voice of this animal at +once--for they had heard it while hunting in the forests of Louisiana, +although they had never been exposed to its attack. From ample +testimony, however, they knew its power and fierce nature; and were, +therefore, terrified by its scream--as men of strongest nerves had often +been 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 far +off in the forest. They knew, however, that it could soon traverse the +ground that lay between it and their camp. They listened. A second +scream sounded nearer. They sprang to their feet, and listened again. +A third call appeared more distant. This, however, arose from a +misconception on their part. They forgot that their _ears were now +farther from the ground_. + +They stood a moment gazing on each other with looks of terror and +apprehension. 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 into +its teeth!" + +This was likely enough; for it is a singular fact that the scream of the +cougar, 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 a +question yet unsolved. + +"What can we do?" said Basil. "Taking to a tree is of no use. These +animals 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_. Let +us 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 not +coming this way. It is best, however, to be prepared while we have +time. Let us try the _circle of fire_!" + +Both Basil and Francois understood what their brother meant. All three +flung down their rifles and, rushing among the trees, collected dry wood +in armfuls. Fortunately, this was in abundance near the spot. Some +dead trees had fallen long ago; and their branches, breaking into pieces +as they fell, covered the ground with numerous fragments just fit for +firewood. In the large pile already blazing, there was no lack of +kindling stuff; and in a few minutes a complete circle of fires, almost +touching one another, burnt upon the ground. + +The boys had lost no time, working as if for their lives. It was well +they did so; for the voice of the cougar, that they had heard at +intervals, each time growing louder, now echoed through the aisles of +the forest, drowning all other sounds. Strange to say, the howling of +the wolves suddenly ceased, and these creatures were no longer to be +heard. But there were other sounds audible--the stamping and snorting +of the terrified horses. The young hunters, up to this time, had not +thought of the safety of these poor animals. It was now too late to +relieve them--the cougar was within a hundred yards of the camp! + +All three, along with Marengo, placed themselves within the _circle of +fire_. Fortunately, there was no wind--not a breath--and the smoke rose +vertically upward, leaving them a breathing space within. There they +stood, guns in hand. Around them the fires blazed and crackled; but +above the snapping of the knots, and the hiss of the spurting piping +tree gas, could be heard the wild cry of the cougar! It now became +evident on what side the animal was; for, as the young hunters peered +through the smoke and blaze, they could distinguish the yellow cat-like +body, moving to and fro under the hanging meat. The rounded head, the +long hollow back, the smooth tawny skin, were not to be mistaken. As if +to add to their terrible situation, the boys now saw that _not one, but +a pair_, of these fearful creatures were upon the ground, moving +backward and forward, passing each other, and looking eagerly up at the +meat where it hung. + +It now occurred to the hunters what an oversight they had made, in not +cutting down the meat. Had they done so, the cougars would no doubt +have devoured it, and moved off after satisfying their hunger. Alas! it +was 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 they +sprang up, as if to seize it; but their efforts fell far short, and they +desisted. One of them now ran up the tree, to which the lasso was +fastened. His claws could be heard rattling upon the bark as he sprang +upward. He first climbed to the branch over which the bear-meat hung. +This he shook with violence, looking downward, to see if the suspended +object would fall. Disappointed, he left this after a time, and came +down to the other branch, where the lasso was tied in a knot. Here he +again seized the rope in his claws, and shook it with violence, but with +a like result. Although he had the advantage of the wolves in being +able to climb the tree, he had not _their_ cunning, else he would soon +have let the meat down, by cutting the rope with his teeth. This idea, +however, belonged to a higher development of brain than his; and, after +seizing the lasso several times, and shaking it as before, he returned +to the ground to his mate, who had sat all the while watching his +manoeuvres. + +These efforts to reach the meat occupied nearly an hour. During all +that time the boys stood within the _circle of fire_, in the most +distressing situation. They were half-roasted by the heat, that had +been all along increasing, as the black logs burned into red embers. +They had made their circle _too small_; and they stood as in the midst +of a fiery furnace! + +The smoke had partially cleared away, and they could witness every +movement of the cougars; but the terrible heat that oppressed them had +almost conquered their fear of these animals; and little would now have +tempted them to rush forth and battle with them. The perspiration ran +from 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 they +may 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, when +stealing upon their prey. At intervals they uttered a strange sound, +like the low cough of a person in consumption. They gave forth another +sound, which fell equally strange upon the ears of the hunters. It +resembled 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 if +to encourage one another in their approach; and they kept crawling on, +waving their tails as they advanced. When within a few feet of the +fire, they stopped, and laid themselves almost flat along the ground-- +yet evidently prepared to spring forward at any moment. It was a +terrible sight to look upon these fierce creatures as they lay. The +light of the great fire made every part of them fearfully apparent. +Their claws, their teeth, half uncovered, and even the bright irides of +their shining eyes were seen distinctly. But they looked not half so +fearful as at first. The young hunters now contemplated them from a +different point of view. They were suffering where they stood, so +fearfully, 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 until +afterwards; but Basil had not missed his. He had wounded the cougar; +and scarcely had the young hunters got clear of the fiery circle, when +the infuriated animal sprang into it, and was seen, now upon its feet, +and now rolling over the ground in the throes of death. Marengo +attacked it; but both got among the red cinders, and the dog was fain to +make his escape out again. The cougar, left to itself, soon ceased its +struggles, 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 fell +upon their ears, and above all was heard the squealing of the mule +Jeanette! This lasted for a few minutes, and at length all was silent +as 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 come +back for its mate. The rain had now begun to fall, and poured down in +torrents, drowning out their fires. They did not attempt to rekindle +them; but stood, with their blankets around their shoulders, sheltering +themselves as they best could under the trees. + +When the daylight came, what was their surprise as well as joy to see +Jeanette quietly browsing at the end of her trail-rope, and close by her +the body of the cougar lying dead upon the ground! It had been wounded +by the shots; but that, as they soon ascertained, was not the cause of +its death, for its body was crushed and its ribs broken! For some time +they could not understand this. At length, however, it was explained to +them. The situation in which the animal was found enabled them to clear +up the mystery. It was lying by the foot of a large tree, against +which, no doubt, it had got the squeeze that had killed it. While +retreating it had sprung upon Jeanette; and the latter, in her +endeavours to escape, had in the darkness rushed violently against the +tree, crushing the cougar, and killing it instantly! + +The fierce brute had left the trace of its claws upon Jeanette's back +and withers; and a deep gash under her throat showed where its teeth had +been buried. It was fortunate for the mule she had rushed against the +tree, else the cougar would have held on until he had drunk the +life-blood from her veins--as this is the mode by which these animals +put their prey to death. + +It was now morning, but the young hunters having been awake nearly all +the night, were weary and could have gone to rest. This, however, they +did not think prudent. They believed they had got themselves into a +part of the forest where there were many dangerous creatures, and they +came to the determination to shift their camp, and travel as far from +the spot as possible before night. The truth is, they were upon a +timbered stream--an affluent of the Trinity river; and as the latter was +at this season overflowed, all the wild animals--bears, cougars, wolves, +lynxes, and javalies--had been driven out of the low bottoms, and were +roaming through the adjacent woods, more hungry and fierce than they +commonly 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 out +into the open prairie. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. + +THE LONE MOUND. + +Their route led them through one of those lovely landscapes which are +met with only in this southern region--_a flower-prairie_. They +travelled in the midst of flowers. Flowers were before them, behind, +and on every side. Their shining corollas covered the prairie as far as +the eye could see. There were golden sunflowers (_helianthi_), and red +malvas, euphorbias, and purple lupins. There were the rose-coloured +blossoms of the wild althea, and the brilliant orange of Californian +poppies--glancing among the green leaves like so many balls of fire-- +while lower upon the surface grew the humble violas, sparkling like +azure gems. + +The glorious sun was shining over all; and the late rain that had washed +them seemed to have added to the fragrance and brilliancy. Millions of +butterflies flew over them, or rested in their soft cups, not less +brilliant than the flowers themselves. Some of these were of vast +dimensions, their downy wings speckled and striped with varied and +gorgeous tints. There were other insects of gay colours and glancing +wings. 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 the +boundless garden. There were bees, too; and bee-birds humming from +flower to flower, and robbing their rich nectaries. Now and then +partridges and ruffed grouse whirred up before the horses; and Francois +succeeded in shooting a brace of the latter, and hanging them behind his +saddle. + +Through these great flower-beds our travellers rode on, crushing many a +beautiful corolla under their horses' hoofs. Sometimes the flowers grew +upon tall stalks that stood thickly together, and reached up to the +shoulders of the horses, completely hiding them from the view of one at +a distance. Sometimes the travellers passed through beds of helianthi +alone--whose large heads, brushing against their thighs, covered them +with yellow pollen-dust. + +It was, altogether, a rare and beautiful landscape; and the young +hunters would have enjoyed it much, had they not been suffering from +weariness and want of sleep. The fragrance of the flowers seemed at +first to refresh them; but after a while they became sensible of a +narcotic influence which it exercised over them, as they felt more +sleepy than ever. They would have encamped among them, but there was no +water; and without water they could not remain. There was no grass, +either, for their animals; as, strange to say, upon these +flower-prairies grass is seldom met with. The flower-stalks usurp the +soil, and no turf is ever found about their roots. The travellers, +therefore, were compelled to ride on, until they should reach some spot +having grass and water--two of the necessary requisites of a +"night-camp." + +After proceeding about ten miles the flowers began to appear more thinly +scattered 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 its +banks, 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 as +well, and must first eat--so they set about preparing supper. The +willows were green, and would not burn very well; but by dint of +perseverance they managed to make a fire. Francois' grouse were plunged +into the kettle. These, seasoned with wild onions, nasturtium, and +prairie-turnips--which Lucien had gathered along the route,--made a dish +that was far from unpalatable. The stock of bear-meat was not touched-- +with the exception of a small piece, which, with the heads and other +refuse parts of the grouse, formed the supper of Marengo. As soon as +they had finished eating, the hunters spread their buffalo-robes upon +the grass; and, drawing their blankets over them, went off into a sound +sleep. + +This night they were not disturbed. When awake they could hear the +howling of wolves upon the distant prairie, and near their camp. But +they were used to this serenading music, and did not regard it. All +three slept soundly throughout the live-long night. + +They were awake by grey dawn, and felt quite refreshed. They watered +their horses, and prepared their breakfast of jerked bear-meat. This is +not bad eating at any time; but to appetites like theirs it was a luxury +indeed; and they broke their fast cleverly enough--eating nearly a pound +a-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. Basil +had given her shanks a fresh touch of the bear's grease; and the scars +which the cougar had made were likely to cicatrise speedily. They +remained all next day by that sweet spring, and enjoyed another night of +undisturbed rest. On the second morning they continued their journey, +and in a few days reached the "Cross Timbers,"--those celebrated groves +that have so long puzzled the speculations of the curious naturalist. +Our travellers did not remain long by them--as they saw no signs of the +buffalo--but kept still farther to the west, crossing the head-waters of +numerous streams that run into the river Brazos. + +About the third day, after leaving the Cross Timbers, they encamped on +one of these streams--a very small one--that meandered through the +prairie, without any timber upon its banks. But our travellers did not +feel 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 of +that day's journey. It was the _bois de vache_, or buffalo "chips," as +it 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 within +the _range_ of these animals; and might expect to fall in with them at +any moment. + +As soon as the next day dawned, the eyes of our hunters sought the +prairie, but as yet no buffaloes were in sight. Nothing could be seen +but the green treeless plain, stretching on all sides as if to the very +sky. Only one object could be observed that gave a variety to the +aspect around. This was an eminence that rose over the sea-like surface +of the prairie--called in the language of the hunters, a "butte." It +appeared ten miles distant, at least; and seemed to stand alone, its +steep sides rising like cliffs above the prairie level. It lay in the +course 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 the +buffalo in that direction as in any other. We have no guide now; so we +must trust to our good fortune to lead us to them, or them to us--which +is about the same thing, I fancy." + +"Oh! let us `catch up,'" advised Francois, "and ride for the butte. We +may 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 yonder +butte 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 that +eminence." + +"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 you +not? Why, I could almost lay my hand upon it!" + +"That is a misconception of yours," rejoined the philosopher. "You are +both calculating distances, as you would in the low dense atmosphere of +Louisiana. Remember you are now four thousand feet above the level of +the sea, and surrounded by one of the purest and most translucent +atmospheres in the world. Objects can be seen double the distance that +you could see them on the banks of the Mississippi. That butte, which +you 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 from +the spot where we now are." + +"Impossible!" exclaimed Basil, eyeing the butte. "Why, I can see the +seams of the rocks on its sides, and trees, I fancy, growing upon its +top." + +"Well," continued Lucien, "with all that you'll find I am not far from +the mark. But let us strike for it, since you wish it. We shall meet +with water there, I suppose; take notice, however,--we'll have to +_journey all day before reaching it_; and we may consider ourselves +fortunate if we get there before night-fall." + +Lucien's prudence was not too great. On the contrary, it was not even +sufficient for the occasion. This arose from his want of experience on +the prairies. If either he or his brothers had had a little more of +this, they would have hesitated before striking out so boldly, and +leaving the water behind them. They would have known that, to make a +long 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 on +the prairies. They dread it more than grizzly bears, or panthers, or +wolverines, or even hostile Indians. The fear of thirst is to them the +greatest 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 travellers +sometimes endure from want of water. But people who live snugly at +home, surrounded by springs, and wells, and streams, with cisterns, and +reservoirs, and pipes, and hydrants, and jets, and fountains, playing at +all times around them, are prone to underrate these sufferings; in fact, +too prone, might I not say, to discredit everything that does not come +under the sphere of their own observation? They will readily believe +that their cat can open a door-latch, and their pig can be taught to +play cards, and that their dog can do wonderful things, savouring of +something more than instinct. But these same people will shake their +heads incredulously, when I tell them that the opossum saves herself +from an enemy by hanging suspended to the tree-branch by her tail, or +that the big-horn will leap from a precipice lighting upon his horns, or +that the red monkeys can bridge a stream by joining themselves to one +another 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 they +seem either strange or improbable? The absent and distant are always +regarded with wonder and incredulity; while familiar facts, in +themselves far more wonderful, neither excite curiosity nor challenge +credulity. Who now regards the startling phenomenon of the electric +wire otherwise than as a simple truth easily comprehended? And yet +there was a time--ah! there was a time--when to have proclaimed this +truth would have rendered you or me ridiculous. There was a time, +indeed, when it might have cost us our lives or our liberties. Remember +Galileo! + +I was saying, then, that people who live at home do not know _what +thirst is_; for _home_ is a place where there is always water. They +cannot comprehend what it is to be in the desert without this necessary +element. Ha! _I_ know it; and I give you my word for it, it is a +fearful thing. + +Our young hunters had but a faint idea of its terrors. Hitherto their +route had been through a well-watered region--scarcely ever running ten +or a dozen miles without crossing some stream with timber upon it, which +they 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 before +them. They knew not that they were entering upon the desert plains-- +those vast arid steppes that slope up to the foots of the Rocky +Mountains--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 or +read more of it than the others. All, however, were curious to visit +the strange, mound-looking eminence _that_ rose out of the plain. This +was quite natural. Even the rude savage and the matter-of-fact trapper +often diverge from their course, impelled by a similar curiosity. + +The horses were watered and saddled; Jeanette was packed; the +water-gourds were filled; and our adventurers, having mounted, rode +forward for the "butte." + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. + +THE HUNT OF THE WILD HORSE. + +"There must be buffalo in this neighbourhood," said Basil, looking to +the ground as they rode on. "These `chips' are very fresh. They cannot +have lain for many days. See! there is a buffalo-road covered with +tracks!" + +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 a +stream; but the hoof-tracks in the bottom showed that it was what he had +called it,--a buffalo-road, leading, no doubt, to some river or +watering-place. It was so deep that, in riding along it, the heads of +our travellers were on a level with the prairie. It had been thus +hollowed out by the water during heavy rains, as the soil, previously +loosened by the hoofs of the buffaloes, was then carried off to the +rivers. Such roads the buffaloes follow at times, thousands of them +keeping in the same trail. They travel thus when they are migrating in +search of better pastures, or water--to which they know by experience +the roads will conduct them. + +Our hunters did not follow this road far, as there was no certainty that +it 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 to +several circular hollows that appeared in the prairie before them. + +"Buffalo-wallows, I declare!" said Basil: "some of them are quite fresh +too!" + +"Buffalo-wallows!" echoed Francois; "what are they?" + +"Why, have you never heard of them, Frank?" asked Basil. "Places where +the 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 scratch +themselves, and get rid of the flies and other insects that annoy them. +Others believe that they practise this curious exercise only by way of +diversion." + +"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 water +when 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 supposition +is not true--as the buffalo is not an animal possessing sufficient +intelligence for that. It is only offered as a curious suggestion. It +is certain, however, that the water collects in these holes during +rain-time, and often remains there for days; and the buffaloes, +wandering about, drink out of them. Therefore, it may, in one sense, be +truly said that the buffaloes _dig their own wells_! These often prove +of service to other animals, as well as those who have made them. Lost +trappers and Indians have been saved by finding water in them, when +otherwise they would have perished from thirst." + +"How very round they are!" said Francois; "why, they are perfect +circles! How do the buffaloes make them so?" + +"By laying themselves out at full length and spinning round and round +like a wagon wheel upon its nave. They revolve with great rapidity, +using their humped shoulders as a pivot, and their legs as levers. They +sometimes continue this motion for half-an-hour at a time. No doubt +they do this, as has been said, to scratch themselves; for, +notwithstanding their thick hides and hair, they are much annoyed by +insect-parasites. They do it, too, for amusement, or to give themselves +pleasure, which is the same thing. You have often witnessed horses at a +similar exercise; and was it not evident that they took a pleasure in +it? 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. Getting +rid of their tormentors, and pressing their hot sides into the fresh +cool earth, is, no doubt, a source of enjoyment to them. They are not +very cleanly; as they are often seen wandering about, so covered with +dirt, 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 time +wandering around the prairie horizon--uttered an exclamation, and +suddenly reined up his horse. The others, seeing him do so, stopped +also. + +"What do you see?" asked Lucien. + +"I do not know," replied Basil; "but there is something yonder upon the +edge 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 from +the rest, and I do not see it now. It appeared to move in toward the +mass. I fancy they are animals of some kind or other." + +"Buffaloes, I hope!" cried Francois, raising himself to his full height +in 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 the +objects; and he was, therefore, compelled to withhold an opinion as to +what they might be. + +"Should we ride towards them?" asked Lucien, addressing Basil. + +"I think they are moving this way," replied the latter. "They extend +more along the horizon, and that may be because they are getting nearer. +Buffaloes! no--as I live," continued he, elevating his voice, "they are +horsemen--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 as +far as I can see him. I am sure it was one. Look! yonder goes +another!" + +"It is," added Lucien; "it is a horse. But see! there is no rider--no +one on his back; and yonder's another, also without a rider. Ha! I +know now--_they are mustangs_!" + +"Mustangs!" echoed Francois; "good!--that will be something worth +seeing." + +It soon proved that Lucien was right. It was a drove of mustangs, or +wild horses. Basil was also right in saying that they were coming +towards them; for in a few moments they appeared to be within less than +a mile, and approaching at a rapid gallop. + +They galloped closely together like a trained troop; and one could be +perceived some lengths in the advance apparently acting as leader. Now +and then one would shy out of the ranks, and rear a moment apart from +the rest, but would return again, and fall in with his companions. It +was a rare sight to see them as they came on; and the ground thundered +under 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 notice +the latter for the first time. All at once the foremost halted, threw +up his head with a snort, and stood still. The others stopped, +imitating the example of their leader. The latter was still some paces +in the advance; while the breasts of his followers seemed to form a +compact front, like cavalry in line of battle! After standing still for +a 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. The +movement was executed with the precision of a troop! + +Our hunters supposed the horses were about to pass them, and part +company without coming closer. They all regretted this, as they were +desirous of having a nearer view of these noble creatures. In order not +to alarm them as they were coming up, all three had taken the precaution +to dismount; and now stood partially screened by their own horses, yet +holding the latter firmly--as these were terrified by the thundering +tramp of the wild steeds. + +In a moment the mustangs appeared opposite--that is, with their sides +turned to the hunters; and the latter now saw with joy that they were +not passing away, but _galloping in a circle_--of which they, the +spectators, 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, they +were not following the circumference of a circle, but a spiral curve +that 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 different +colours--scarcely two of them being marked alike. There were black and +white ones, and bay and roan. Some were brown, some sorrel, and some of +an iron-grey; and there were others--many of them--mottled and spotted +like hounds! All had flowing manes and long waving tails; and these +streamed behind them as they galloped, adding to the gracefulness of +their appearance. It was, in truth, a beautiful sight, and the hearts +of the boys bounded within them, while their eyes followed the moving +troop as it circled round and round. + +But the eyes of all three soon centred upon one--the leader, and a +fairer object none of them had ever beheld. Basil, who loved a fine +horse more than any living thing, was in an ecstasy as he gazed upon +this beautiful creature. It was no wonder, for a more perfect-looking +animal could hardly have been conceived. He was larger than any of the +herd, though still under the size of an English horse. His full chest +and prominent eye-balls--his well-bound flanks and quarters--his light +cylindrical limbs and small finely-shaped hoofs, showed of what race he +was--an Arab of the Andalusian breed--a descendant of the noble steeds +that carried the first conquerors of Mexico. His proportions were what +a judge would have pronounced perfect; and Basil, who, in fact, _was_ a +judge, had already said so. He was white all over--white as the +mountain-snow. As he galloped, his nostrils appeared open and red, his +eyes stood prominently forth, his mane was tossed on both sides of his +neck from his crest to his withers, and his long tail streamed +horizontally behind him. His free, graceful movements--like that of all +his followers--showed that no saddle had ever been laid across his back. + +As Basil gazed upon this noble creature, he became imbued with an +irresistible 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 to +covet every fine horse he saw; and this one had inspired him with a most +particular longing to become his owner. In a few seconds' time, so +eager had grown this desire, that Basil felt as if he would have given +all he had in the world--Black Hawk, perhaps, excepted--to be the master +of this prairie steed. Throwing a lasso, as Basil could, and mounted as +he 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 he +might without difficulty overtake and fling his noose over some of the +"fags" of the herd; but to capture the leader was quite another thing--a +feat _never accomplished upon the prairies_, even by the Indians +themselves. He had often heard this, nevertheless, he was determined to +try. He had great confidence in the speed and bottom of Black Hawk. + +He communicated his determination to his brothers, in a whisper--lest he +might frighten the mustangs, now circling very near. Lucien tried to +dissuade him, offering as a reason, that it would lead them from their +course, and might separate them from each other. + +"No," said Basil. "Go on to the butte, you and Francois. I shall come +to 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 capture +him if it cost me a fifty-mile gallop." + +While Basil was speaking, he drew closer to his left stirrup, looked to +the lasso that hung coiled upon the horn of his saddle, and then stood +ready 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 the +chase; but his diminutive pony rendered the idea too absurd to be acted +upon. + +During all this time the wild horses had continued their evolutions. At +intervals they would halt at a signal from their leader, and wheel into +line, facing inward towards the little group. In this position they +would remain for a few seconds, with heads erect, gazing with curious +wonder at the strange intruders upon their domain. Some of them would +paw the ground, and snort as if in anger. Then the foremost would utter +his shrill neigh, and all would go off again, circling about as before. + +They had got within less than two hundred yards of where the hunters +stood, but it was evident they intended coming no nearer. On the +contrary, they showed symptoms of bearing off. At each fresh movement +from a halt, they turned their heads for the prairie, and then came +circling back again--as though they had not yet quite satisfied their +curiosity. + +During their last halt--or what Basil believed might be the last--he +again cautioned his brothers to keep on to the butte, and quietly +placing his foot in the stirrup, vaulted into the saddle. The movement +caused the mustangs to start; but, before they could turn themselves, +the young hunter had plied the spur, and made several springs towards +them across the prairie. He looked not at the drove--he cared not which +way they might go--his eye rested only on the white leader, and towards +him he rode in full charge. + +The latter, when he saw this sudden movement, stood for a moment, as if +in surprise. Then giving a wild neigh--far different from any of the +calls he had hitherto uttered--wheeled to the right, and led off in a +gallop, the rest following at the top of their speed. As the rearmost +came round upon the prairie, Basil was not a dozen yards from them; and +in a few springs had got so close that he could easily have thrown his +lasso over some of them. In turning, however, he was left far behind; +but he soon recovered his distance, and spurred on, bearing slightly to +one side of the drove. He did not wish to get in amongst them--as he +believed that might be dangerous, and would only impede him. His object +was to head the drove, or in some way to separate the leader from the +others. This was what he wanted first; and to this task he bent himself +with all his energy. + +On flew the wild steeds straining themselves to their utmost speed. On +followed the hunter,--apparently in reckless pursuit, but carefully +guiding his horse as he rode. His lasso hung at his saddle-peak. He +had not yet touched it--time enough for that. + +On flew the wild horses, and closer followed the daring hunter, until +miles of the prairie lay between him and the starting-point. In a few +minutes 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, but +in a long string--each taking place according to his speed--and far in +advance of all, like a meteor, glanced the snow-white leader. + +The hindmost were soon passed--each swerving off from the track, as soon +as he saw himself headed by the great dark horse that carried the +strange 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 now +saw nothing before him but the white steed, the green prairie, and the +blue sky. He looked not back. Had he done so, he would have seen the +mustangs scattering in every direction over the plain. But he looked +not back. All that he now cared for was before him; and he plied the +spur freshly and galloped on. + +He had no need to use the spur. Black Hawk seemed to think that his +credit rested upon the result, and the faithful brute was doing his +best. On the other hand, the wild horse felt that his life, or at least +his freedom, depended upon it, and this was enough to urge _him_ to his +utmost. Both flew like the wind--pursuer and pursued. + +As they parted from the herd, there was not more than three hundred +yards between them; and they must have passed over some miles +afterwards, before this distance was greatly lessened. Their line of +flight was as straight as an arrow; and from this it was evident that +the mustang usually trusted to his hoofs to save him from his enemies. + +In a race like this, however, the pursuer has the advantage of the +pursued. The latter, always anxious, is constrained to look back; and +is, therefore, less sure of the ground that lies before. He loses his +proper attitude for speed, and is besides in danger of stumbling. So it +was with the wild horse. He did not stumble--he was too sure of foot +for that--but his head was occasionally thrown to one side, until his +large dark eye commanded a view of his enemy behind him. This, of +course, to some extent, retarded him. It was only at these moments that +Basil could gain upon him; and the proofs he thus gave of his superior +powers, only rendered the latter the more eager to capture and possess +him. + +After a long chase the distance between them was still two hundred paces +at the least. The young hunter, with a feeling of impatience, once more +plied the spur in a fresh effort to come up; while the other seemed to +spring forward as swiftly as ever. + +All at once Basil observed that the white steed, instead of running +straight forward, appeared to go from side to side, moving in crooked +lines! 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 was +among them. It was this, then, that was causing him to run so +strangely. Basil had hardly made the observation, when he felt his +horse sink suddenly under him, and tumble headlong upon the prairie! + +The rider was flung from his seat, though not much hurt. He rose at +once to his feet. Black Hawk struggled up at the same time, and stood +still, his wet flanks rising and falling as he breathed and panted. He +was 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, which +he had just noticed, stood thick upon the prairie, as far as the eye +could reach; and among these the wild horse was gliding off as swiftly +as ever. When the hunter got to his feet again, the other was nearly a +quarter 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 only +useless, but dangerous; for although he had never seen anything like +these little mounds before, he knew very well what they were, and the +danger of riding at a rapid rate among them. He had received a timely +lesson--for he was just entering their borders when his horse fell-- +fortunately to rise again with sound limbs. He knew he might not get +off so safely a second time, and he had no inclination to take the +chances of another tumble. He was not going to risk the loss of his +favourite Black Hawk for the white steed, even had he been certain of +capturing the latter. But this was no longer likely. On the contrary, +he might, instead of making a capture, lose his own horse, were he to +continue 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 several +minutes, until the latter, far, far away, faded like a white cloud into +the pale blue of the horizon. + +The young hunter now bethought him of returning to his companions. In +what direction was he to go? He looked around for the butte. There it +was; but, to his astonishment, it lay directly before him, and nearer +than when he last saw it! He had been all this while galloping towards +it; but in his haste had not noticed this. Lucien and Francois must be +behind, thought he, and would soon come that way. The best thing he +could 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 the +latter was scanty near the spot; and what there was of it had been eaten +as close to the ground, as if a thousand rabbits had been feeding upon +it! Basil did not hinder his horse from going. He knew that he was too +well trained to run away, and that he could recall him at any moment by +a whistle. He sat still, therefore; now scanning the prairie to the +eastward, and now endeavouring to kill time by examining the strange +little 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 as +Basil could see. They were shaped like truncated cones, about three +feet in diameter at the base, and not over two in height. Near the top +of each was the entrance--a hole not much larger than would have been +used by a rat. There was no grass immediately around this hole, +although the sides and tops of the mounds were clothed with a smooth +green turf that gave them the appearance of having been constructed a +long time ago. + +The inhabitants of these singular dwellings soon began to show +themselves. They had been terrified by the thundering tread of the +steeds, and had hidden at their approach. All was now silent again, and +they thought they might venture abroad. First one little snout peeped +out, and then another, and another until every hole had a head and a +pair of sparkling eyes looking forth. After a while the owners of the +heads became more courageous, and boldly stepped out-of-doors; and then +could be seen hundreds of these strange creatures. They were of a +reddish-brown colour, with breasts and bellies of a dirty white. Their +bodies were about the size of the common grey squirrel; but their +general appearance partook of the squirrel, the weasel, and the rat--all +three of which they in some respects resembled, and yet were not like +any 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 not +the graceful symmetry of these animals. In a short time every mound had +two or three on its top--for several individuals dwell together in the +same house. Some sat upon all fours, while others erected themselves on +their hind-feet, and stood up like little bears or monkeys--all the +while flourishing their tails and uttering their tiny barking, that +sounded like the squeak of a toy-dog. It is from this that they derive +the name of "prairie-dogs," for in nothing else do they resemble the +canine species. Like all marmots--and there are many different kinds-- +they are innocent little creatures, and live upon grass, seeds, and +roots. They must eat very little; and indeed it is a puzzle to +naturalists how they sustain themselves. Their great "towns" near the +Rocky Mountains are generally in barren tracts, where there is but a +scanty herbage; and yet the inhabitants are never found more than half a +mile from their dwellings. How, then, do thousands of them subsist on +what little grass can grow in a pasture so circumscribed? This has not +been explained; nor is it known why they choose these barren tracts for +their dwelling-places, in preference to the more fertile prairies. All +these things await the study and observation of the historian of nature. + +Basil was surprised to observe that the marmots were not alone the +occupants of their town. There were other creatures moving about of an +entirely different kind, and they also seemed to be perfectly at home. +There were white owls, about the size of pigeons, of a species he had +never seen before. These were the burrowing owls (_Strix cunicularia_), +differing altogether from their blind cousins of the night who dwell in +thick woods and old ruins. He saw these little owls gliding about on +silent wing, or standing erect upon the tops of the houses, at a +distance 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 mounds +was seen a hideous form--also of the lizard kind--the "horned frog" +(_Agama cornuta_). These creatures were new to Basil; and their ugly +earth-coloured bodies, their half-toad half-lizard shape, with the thorn +like protuberances, upon their back, shoulders, and head, inspired him +with disgust as he gazed upon them. He could see, too, the small +land-tortoise (_Cistuda_) squatting upon the ground, and peeping +cautiously out of its box-like shell. But there was another creature in +this community more fearful than all the rest. This was the _ground +rattle-snake_, which could be seen, coiled up, and basking in the sun, +or gliding among the mounds, as if searching for his prey. Basil +noticed that it was a different species from any of the rattle-snakes he +had seen--differing from them in its shape and markings, but equally +vicious in its appearance and habits. It was the _Crotalus +tergeminus_--found only in barren grounds, such as those inhabited by +the prairie-marmot. + +Basil could not help falling into a train of reflection about this +varied community of creatures. Were they friends to each other? or did +they form a chain of destruction, preying upon one another? Friends +they could not all be. The marmots lived upon grass; and the lizards +upon insects and prairie-crickets, of which there were numbers around. +Upon these, too, no doubt, the tortoises supported themselves; but upon +what 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 various +animals better than himself. He began to think both of Lucien and +Francois--for two hours had now passed, and they did not make their +appearance! He was fast becoming uneasy, when a small group of objects +was seen approaching from the eastward, which, to his joy, proved to be +the party. + +In half an hour afterwards they rode up greeting their brother with +joyful shouts. They had been travelling briskly ever since the morning, +and upon Basil's tracks too, showing what a stretch of ground he must +have passed over in his wild gallop. They saw at once that the white +horse had got off; and Basil, in a few words, gave them an account of +the chase and how it had come to an end. + +As it was now afternoon, and the butte still appeared distant, they made +but a short halt--just long enough to swallow a morsel of meat and take +a drink from their water-gourds, which, owing to the intense heat, were +now better than half empty. Their animals already suffered from thirst; +so, without delay, the young hunters got into their saddles, with the +intention of continuing their journey. + +"Across the dog-town?" inquired Francois, who had mounted first. "Shall +we ride through it or go round?" + +Here was a difficulty, indeed. The dog-town lay directly between them +and the butte. To keep straight forward they would have to ride through +it. That would impede them to a considerable extent, as they could only +ride slowly and in zig-zag lines without danger. To go round it, on the +other 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 the +end of it that way." + +They all turned their horses for the south, and commenced riding in that +direction. + +They rode for at least two miles, keeping along the border of the +settlement: but they could still see it ahead, apparently stretching for +miles farther. + +"We have come the wrong way," said Lucien; "we might have done better +had 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, when +the goal of one's journey is within sight. So the heads of the horses +were brought round once more facing the butte; and the party rode in +among the mounds, and proceeded slowly and with great caution. As they +approached, the little "dogs" ran to their hillocks, barked at the +intruders, shook their short tails, and then whisked themselves off into +their holes. Whenever the party had got past, a hundred yards or so, +the marmots would come forth again, and utter their tiny cough-like +notes as before; so that, when our travellers were fairly into the +"town," they found themselves at all times in the centre of a barking +circle! + +The owls rose up before them, alighting at short distances; then, once +more startled, they would fly farther off, sometimes sailing away until +out of sight, and sometimes, like the marmots, hiding themselves within +the 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, and +agamas--were observed, when suddenly escaping, sometimes to enter the +same mound! This our travellers witnessed more than once. + +Very naturally the conversation turned upon these things; and Lucien +added some facts to what Basil had already observed. + +"The holes," said he, "had we time to dig them up, would be found to +descend perpendicularly for two or three feet. They then run obliquely +for several feet farther, and end in a little chamber which is the real +house of the marmot. I say the _real_ house, for these cone-like mounds +are only the entrances. They have been formed out of the earth brought +up from below at the making of the burrows. As you see, this earth has +not been allowed to lie in a neglected heap, such as rats and rabbits +leave at the mouths of their burrows. On the contrary, it has been +built up with great care, and beaten together by the marmots' feet until +quite firm and smooth; and the grass has been allowed to grow over it to +save it from being washed down by rain. It is evident the animal does +all this with design--just as beavers, in building their houses. Now, +upon these mounds the marmots love to bask, and amuse themselves in the +sun; and it is likely that they can watch their enemies better from this +elevated 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 the +rain! 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 the +owls have taken these from the marmots, and use them exclusively for +their own dwellings; and, as you perceive, they do not keep them in +repair. All they care for is the hole to take shelter in, leaving the +outside works to go to ruin as they may. Certain it is that, although +we have seen them and the dogs rush into the same hole together, it is +because we came suddenly upon them. They do not live thus. The marmots +have their own dwellings, and the owls theirs, which last are the ruined +ones you have noticed." + +"But do not the owls eat the marmots?" inquired Basil. "The great owls +of the woods prey upon animals as large. I have seen them kill rabbits +in the dusk of the evening." + +"These do not," answered the naturalist; "at least it is supposed they +do not. Many that have been shot and opened proved to have nothing in +their stomachs but insects and beetles--such as these we see upon the +prairie. I think it is probable the owls make an occasional meal of the +horned frogs and lizards; though I have no proof of this farther than +that birds of this kind usually prey upon such reptiles." + +"But how live the rattle-snakes?" inquired Francois; "what do they feed +upon?" + +"Ah!" replied Lucien, "that is the puzzle of naturalists. Some assert +that they are the tyrants of the community, and devour the old marmots. +This can hardly be, as these snakes are not large enough to swallow +them, in my opinion. Certain it is, however, that they prey +occasionally upon the young, as many of them have been killed with young +marmots in their belly?" + +"Why, then," rejoined Francois, "the snakes seem to have it all their +own way. If they eat the young marmots, what is to hinder them from +killing as many as they please? They can enter the burrows with as much +ease as the marmots themselves!" + +"That is true," replied Lucien, "but not half so nimbly; and perhaps the +latter can even escape them within. The rattle-snake is a very slow +crawler; 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 both +themselves and their young from his venomous attacks. As yet very +little is known of these creatures. The remote regions in which they +are found place them beyond the observation of naturalists; and such of +these, as have visited their towns, have been only allowed time to make +a hurried examination of them. They are very shy; rarely letting you +get within range of a gun. They are, therefore, seldom shot at. +Moreover, it takes great trouble to capture them by digging--on account +of 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 the +hunter." + +"But are they eatable?" inquired Francois. + +"Yes," answered Lucien; "the Indians are very fond of their flesh, and +eat it whenever they can conveniently get it; but, indeed, they will do +the 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 them +might 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 your +finger--for when the marmot goes inside, he closes all up, except this +little hole, through which he gets all the air he requires. In these +snug beds they lie asleep during the cold season, and at that time are +rarely seen outside their burrows." + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. + +A NIGHT IN THE DESERT. + +Conversing in this way, the young hunters rode on, keeping as far from +the edges of the mounds as possible, lest the hoofs of their horses +might sink in the excavated ground. They had ridden full five miles, +and still the marmot village stretched before them! still the dogs on +all 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, and +commenced stepping out on the hard, barren plain. Their conversation +now assumed a gloomier turn, for their thoughts were gloomy. They had +drunk all their water. The heat and dust had made them extremely +thirsty; and the water, warmed as it was in their gourd canteens, +scarcely gave them any relief. They began to experience the cravings of +thirst. The butte still appeared at a great distance--at least ten +miles off. What, if on reaching it, they should find no water? This +thought, combined with the torture they were already enduring, was +enough to fill them with apprehension and fear. + +Basil now felt how inconsiderately they had acted, in not listening to +the more prudent suggestions of Lucien; but it was too late for +regrets--as is often the case with those who act rashly. + +They saw that they must reach the butte as speedily as possible, for the +night was coming on. If it should prove a dark night, they would be +unable to guide themselves by the eminence, and losing their course +might wander all night. Oppressed with this fear, they pushed forward +as fast as possible; but their animals, wearied with the long journey +and suffering from thirst, could only travel at a lagging pace. + +They had ridden about three miles from the dog-town, when, to their +consternation, a new object presented itself. The prairie yawned before +them, exhibiting one of those vast fissures often met with on the high +table-lands of America. It was a _barranca_, of nearly a thousand feet +in depth, sheer down into the earth, although its two edges at the top +were scarcely that distance apart from each other! It lay directly +across the track of the travellers; and they could trace its course for +miles to the right and left, here running for long reaches in a straight +line, and there curving or zig-zagging through the prairie. When they +arrived upon its brink, they saw at a glance that they could not cross +it. It was precipitous on both sides, with dark jutting rocks, which in +some places overhung its bed. There was no water in it to gladden their +eyes; but, even had there been such, they could not have reached it. +Its bottom was dry, and covered with loose boulders of rock that had +fallen from above. + +This was an interruption which our travellers little expected; and they +turned to each other with looks of dismay. For some minutes they +deliberated, uncertain how to act. Would they ride along its edge, and +endeavour to find a crossing-place? Or would it be better to retrace +their steps, and attempt to reach the stream which they had left in the +morning? The latter was a fearful alternative, as they knew they could +not pass the marmot hillocks in the darkness without losing time and +encountering danger. It is discouraging at all times to _go back_, +particularly as they had ridden so far--they believed that water would +be found near the butte. They resolved, at length, to search for a +crossing. + +With this intention they made a fresh start, and kept along the edge of +the barranca. They chose the path that appeared to lead upward--as by +so doing they believed they would the sooner reach a point where the +chasm was shallower. They rode on for miles; but still the fissure, +with its steep cliffs, yawned below them, and no crossing could be +found. The sun went down, and the night came on as dark as pitch. They +halted. They dared ride no farther. They dared not even go back--lest +they might chance upon some outlying angle of the crooked chasm, and +ride headlong into it! They dismounted from their horses, and sunk down +upon the prairie with feelings almost of despair. + +It would be impossible to picture their sufferings throughout that long +night. They did not sleep even for a moment. The agonising pangs of +thirst as well as the uncertainty of what was before them on the morrow +kept them awake. They did not even picket their horses--for there was +no grass near the spot where they were--but sat up all night holding +their bridles. Their poor horses, like themselves, suffered both from +thirst and hunger; and the mule Jeanette occasionally uttered a wild +hinnying that was painful to hear. + +As soon as day broke they remounted, and continued on along the edge of +the barranca. They saw that it still turned in various directions; and, +to add to their terror, they now discovered that they could not even +retrace the path upon which they had come, without going all the way +back on their own tracks. The sun was obscured by clouds, and they knew +not in what direction lay the stream they had left--even had they +possessed 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 was +beaten with tracks apparently fresh. They hailed the sight with joyful +exclamations--as they believed that it would lead them to a crossing. +They hesitated not, but riding boldly into it, followed it downward. As +they had anticipated, it wound down to the bottom of the barranca, and +passed up to the prairie on the opposite side, where they soon arrived +in safety. + +This, however, was no termination to their sufferings, which had now +grown more acute than ever. The atmosphere felt like an oven; and the +light dust, kicked up by their horses' hoofs, enveloped them in a +choking cloud, so that at times they could not see the butte for which +they were making. It was of no use halting again. To halt was certain +death--and they struggled on with fast-waning strength, scarcely able to +retain their seats or speak to one another. Thirst had almost deprived +them of the power of speech! + +It was near sunset, when the travellers, faint, choking, panting for +breath, bent down in their saddles, their horses dragging along under +them like loaded bees, approached the foot of the eminence. Their eyes +were thrown forward in eager glances--glances in which hope and despair +were 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, hitherto +lagging behind, sprang forward in a gallop, hinnying loudly as she ran. +Jeanette, as we have said, was an old prairie traveller, and could scent +water as far as a wolf could have done her own carcass. The other +animals, seeing her act in this manner, rushed after; and the next +moment the little cavalcade passed round a point of rocks, where a green +sward gladdened the eyes of all. They saw grass and willows, among +whose leaves gurgled the crystal waters of a prairie spring; and in a +few seconds' time, both horses and riders were quenching their thirst in +its cool current. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. + +THE PRONG-HORNS. + +The "butte" was one of those singular formations to be met with in the +Great American Desert. It was not a mountain nor yet a hill. Its shape +was different from either. It was more like a vast mass of rocky earth, +raised above the prairie, perpendicular on all sides, and having a flat +level surface upon its top. It was, in fact, one of those hills which +in the language of Spanish America, are termed "mesas," or tables--so +called on account of their flat, table-like tops. They are generally +argillaceous, and are common upon the Upper Missouri river, and +throughout the vast desert regions that lie west of the Del Norte. +Sometimes several of them stand near each other upon the plains, looking +as though their tops had once been the level of the ancient surface, and +the ground between had been worn away by disintegration--from rain and +other causes--leaving them thus standing. To the eye of one accustomed +to looking only upon rounded hills, or mountains with sharp peaks, these +elevated "mesas" appear very singular, and form an interesting study for +the geologist. + +The top of the one beside which our adventurers halted, had a +superficial area of some twenty or thirty acres; and its perpendicular +sides rose nearly two hundred feet above the surrounding prairie. A +thin growth of pine-trees covered it; while stunted pinons and cedars +hung out from its cliffs. There were agaves, and yucca palms, and +cacti, growing along its edges, giving it a very picturesque appearance. + +Our travellers, after halting, and having satisfied their thirst, of +course thought of nothing but remaining there to recruit both themselves +and their animals. They saw around them the three requisites of a +camp--water, wood, and grass. They commenced by cutting down some +pinon-trees that grew by the foot of the cliff. With these a bright +fire was soon made. They had still enough bear's meat left to last them +for several days. What more wanted they? But they discovered that even +in this arid region Nature had planted trees and vegetables to sustain +life. The pinons afforded their farinaceous cones, the agave yielded +its esculent roots, and the prairie-turnip grew upon the borders of the +runlet. They saw a small plant with white lily-like flowers. It was +the "sego" of the Indians (_Calochortus luteus_), and they knew that at +its roots grew tubers, as large as filberts, and delicious eating when +cooked. Lucien recognised all these edible productions; and promised +his brothers a luxurious dinner on the morrow. For that night, all +three were too much fatigued and sleepy to be nice about their +appetites. The juicy bear's meat, to travellers, thirsty and hungry as +they, needed no seasoning to make it palatable. So they washed +themselves clear of the dust, ate their frugal meal, and stretched +themselves out for a long night's rest. + +And a capital night's rest they enjoyed--without having been disturbed +by anything. One would have supposed that, after so much hardship, they +would have got up somewhat wearied. Strange to say, it was not so, for +they arose quite refreshed. This Lucien attributed to the bracing +influence of the light dry atmosphere; and Lucien was right, for, +although an arid soil surrounded them, its climate is one of the +healthiest in the world. Many a consumptive person, who has crossed the +prairies with flushed cheek, uttering his hectic cough, has returned to +his friends to bear joyful testimony to what I now state. + +All three felt as brisk as bees, and immediately set about preparing +breakfast. They gathered a capful of the pinon cones--the seeds of +which Lucien knew how to prepare by parching and pounding. These, with +the bear's meat, gave them a good hunter's breakfast. They then thought +of their dinner, and dug up a quantity of "segos" and prairie-turnips. +They found also a mallow--the _Malva involucrata_--whose long tapering +root resembles the parsnip both in taste and appearance. All these were +baked with the bear's meat--so that the dinner, in some respects, +resembled ham, turnips, parsnips, and yams--for the root of the sego +thus dressed, is not unlike the yam, or sweet potato (_Convolvulus +batatas_). + +Of course, our adventurers did not eat their dinner immediately after +breakfast. A long interval passed between the two meals, which they +employed 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 for +them very earnestly, as they had made up their minds to stay a day or +two where they were--until their animals should be well rested, and +ready for rough work again. The latter enjoyed themselves quite as much +as their masters. There was plenty of the "grama" grass growing along +the banks of the rivulet, and that with the water was all they cared for +to make them contented and happy. Jeanette appeared to be glad that she +was no longer among the dark woods, where she had so nearly been torn to +pieces by panthers and javalies. + +Before evening came the boys had finished all the little jobs which had +occupied them. Their saddles, bridles, and lassos, were put in thorough +repair, and placed upon the dry rocks. Their guns were wiped out, and +thoroughly cleaned--lock, stock, and barrel. The horses, too, had been +washed by the spring; and Jeanette's shanks had received a fresh "rub" +with bear's grease, so that if ever that celebrated article brought out +hair upon anything, it was likely to do so for her. + +I say, all their little matters having been thus attended to, the young +hunters were sitting upon three large stones near the spring, talking +over their past adventures and their future prospects. Of course, the +buffalo was the principal theme, as that was the object of their +expedition. They did not fail to think of their good old father; and +they congratulated themselves upon the pleasure he would have in +listening to the story of their adventures when they should get back to +tell it. Hugot, too, came in for a share of their thoughts; and +Francois laughed over the remembrance of the tricks he had from time to +time played upon the little corporal. + +While thus enjoying themselves, the eyes of all were attracted to some +distant objects upon the prairie. + +"Ho!" exclaimed Francois, "what a string of wolves!" + +Wolves were no unusual sight, and even at that moment several were +sitting upon the prairie, not more than two hundred yards from the camp. +They were those that had followed the party on their march, having kept +along 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 their +guns. Basil was particularly anxious to bring down an antelope, for he +had never killed one. In fact, he had never seen one, as this animal is +not met with near the Mississippi. Strange to say, its favourite range +is 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 is +the only ruminating animal, of any considerable size, to be met with. +It is often found so far from water, that some naturalists have asserted +it can live without this necessary element. They forget that what to +them appears _far from water_, is to the antelope but a run of a few +minutes, or rather I should say, a flight--for its bounding speed +resembles more the flight of a bird than the gallop of a four-footed +creature. + +Antelopes differ but little from deer. The latter want the +gall-bladder, which all antelopes have. Another distinction is found in +the horns. The deer's horns are composed of a solid bony substance, +which differs from true horn. The horns of the antelope are more like +those of a goat. These are the principal distinctions. In most other +respects deer and antelopes are alike. Naturalists say there is but one +species of antelope in North America--the prong-horned (_Antilope +Americana_). When the fauna of Mexico has been carefully examined, I +think another will be found. + +It is only upon the great prairies of the far west that the prong-horned +antelope is met with; and there it is a most shy and timid creature, +allowing the hunter only to approach it by cunning and stratagem. A +herd is sometimes hunted by the Indians into a "pound," or "surrounded;" +but even then their fleetness often enables them to escape; and so +laborious an undertaking is it to capture them thus, that the plan is +but seldom adopted, where any other game can be obtained. The easiest +mode of taking the antelope is when it is found attempting to cross a +river--as its slender limbs and small delicate hoofs render it but a +poor swimmer. The Indians sometimes destroy whole herds while thus +endeavouring to swim across the great streams of the prairies. + +Although so shy, the antelope is as inquisitive as mother Eve was; and +will often approach its most dangerous enemy to satisfy its instinct of +curiosity. Our party were destined to witness a singular illustration +of this peculiarity. + +Basil and Francois had seized their guns, but did not attempt to move +from the spot. That would be of no use, they judged; as there was not +even a bunch of grass to shelter them in the direction whence the +antelopes were approaching. They sat still, therefore, in hopes that +the animals were on their way to the spring, and would come nearer of +their own accord. In this conjecture the boys were right. The herd, +about twenty in all, came on over the prairie, heading directly for the +butte. They walked in single file, following their leader like Indians +on a war-path! They were soon so near, that the hunters could +distinguish every part of their bodies--their yellow backs--their white +sides and bellies--the short erect manes upon their necks--their +delicate limbs--their long pointed muzzles. They could even perceive +the little black spots behind their cheeks, which emit that disagreeable +odour--as with the common goat--and on account of which the +hunting-trappers, in their unromantic phraseology, have given the name +of "goats" to these most graceful animals. + +All these peculiarities our young hunters observed as the herd +approached. They had placed themselves behind some willow-bushes, so as +not to be seen by the latter. They observed, too, that there was but +one of them with horns, and that was the foremost, or leader. All the +rest were does or young ones. The antelopes, as they came on, did not +appear to regard the horses, that were browsing out upon the plain, +though not directly in their way. They took the latter, no doubt, for +mustangs--who are not their enemies in any sense--and, therefore, did +not fear them. + +They arrived at length close to the spring rivulet, where it ran out +upon the prairie. They did not approach it to drink. They were +evidently advancing towards the spring itself, perhaps with the +intention of getting a cooler and more refreshing draught from the +fountain-head. The young hunters lay concealed among the willows--each +with his gun ready in his hand--determined to fire as soon as the +unsuspecting creatures should come within range. + +They had got nearly so--within two hundred yards, or less--when all at +once the leader was seen to swerve suddenly to the right, and head away +from the water! What could this movement mean? On looking in the new +direction, several hairy objects were perceived upon the ground. They +were odd-looking objects, of a reddish-brown colour, and might have +passed for a number of foxes lying asleep. But they were not foxes. +They were wolves--_prairie-wolves_--a sort of animals more cunning even +than foxes themselves. They were not asleep neither, though they +pretended to be. They were wide awake, as they lay squatted closely +upon the grass, with their heads so completely hidden behind their bushy +tails, 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 noticed +but 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 one +another, and at first sight appeared as one object, or a string of +objects 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 quiet +in their ambush among the willows. + +The antelopes had all turned in the track of their leader, and were +following him in the new direction, like soldiers marching in single +file. They went slowly, with outstretched necks and eyes protruded, +gazing steadfastly on the strange objects before them. When within a +hundred yards or so of the wolves, the leader stopped, and sniffed the +air. The others imitated him in every movement. The wind was blowing +towards the wolves, therefore the antelopes, who possess the keenest +scent, could benefit nothing from this. They moved forward again +several paces, and again halted, and uttered their snorts as before, and +then once more moved on. These manoeuvres lasted for some minutes; and +it was evident that the spirits of fear and curiosity were struggling +within the breasts of these creatures. At times the former seemed to +have the mastery, for they would tremble, and start as if about to break +off in flight. Curiosity would again prevail, and a fresh movement +forward was the consequence. + +In this way they advanced, until the headmost had got within a few paces +of the wolves, who lay all the while as still as mice or as cats waiting +for mice. Not any part of them was seen to move, except the long hair +of their tails that waved slightly in the breeze; but this only excited +the curiosity of the antelopes to a greater degree. + +The leader of the herd seemed all at once to grow bolder. He was a +stout old buck--what had _he_ to fear? Why should _he_ dread such +creatures as these, without heads, or teeth, or claws, and evidently +incapable of moving themselves? No doubt they were inanimate objects. +He would soon decide that question, by simply stepping up and laying his +nose upon one of them. + +He was instigated, moreover, by a species of pride or vanity. He wanted +to show off his courage before his followers, who were mostly does; many +of 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 he +was determined to cut a swagger. Under this impulse, he walked boldly +up, 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, and +launched himself upon the throat of the antelope. His comrades, +uncoiling themselves at the same instant, followed his example; and the +next moment the prong-horn was dragged to the ground, and worried by the +whole 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 bound +past, that the shots of the latter, aimed in haste, whistled idly over +the prairie. Not one of them appeared to have been touched; and, in a +few 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 the +wolves. + +"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 run +them off." + +"Very kind of them," added Francois, "to procure us fresh venison for +supper. Indeed we might not have had it but for their cunning. We have +done them some service during our journey; it is almost time they should +make us a return." + +"We had better make haste, then," said Lucien, loading at the same time +with his brothers; "the wolves appear to be very busy; they may tear our +venison to pieces. See! what a scuffle!" + +As Lucien said this, the eyes of all were turned upon the wolves. The +latter were leaping about over the body of the antelope, now in a thick +clump, now more scattered, but all the while apparently worrying the +animal to death. Their jaws were already blood-stained, and their bushy +tails swept about and above them in ceaseless motion. The hunters made +all haste in reloading, lest, as Lucien had suggested, the wolves might +spoil the venison. They were not more than a minute engaged in ramming +down the bullets, and fixing the caps on the nipples of their guns. +When this was done, all three ran forward together--Marengo in the +advance, with outstretched neck and open mouth, eager to do battle with +the whole pack. + +It was but three hundred yards to the spot where the wolves were; and +when our hunters had got within range, all three stopped, levelled their +pieces, and fired. The volley took effect. Two were seen kicking and +sprawling over the grass, while the others, dropping their prey, +scampered off over the prairie. The boys ran up. Marengo leaped upon +one of the wounded wolves, while the other was despatched by the butts +of their guns. But where was the antelope? There was no such animal to +be seen; but, in its stead, half-a-dozen fragments of mangled skin, a +horned 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 left +of that beautiful form that, only a few moments before, was bounding +over the prairie in the full pride of health, strength, and swiftness! + +The boys contemplated his remains with feelings of disappointment and +chagrin; for, although there was still plenty of bear-meat, they had +anticipated supping upon fresh venison. But neither "haunch" nor +"saddle" was left--nothing but torn and useless fragments--so, after +sundry sharp ejaculations against the wolves, they left Marengo to make +his best of the _debris_, and, walking back slowly to the camp, seated +themselves once more upon the stones. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. + +DECOYING AN ANTELOPE. + +They had not rested more than five minutes, when their attention was +again attracted to the prairie. Another herd of antelopes! Strange to +say, it was; and, like the former, these were making directly for the +spring. The hunters knew they were not the same; for this herd was much +larger, and there were several males in it, easily distinguishable by +their forked horns. + +The guns were again loaded, and Marengo was called up--lest he might +frighten them off. + +These, like the others, marched in order, in single file--led by a large +buck. There appeared to be about thirty or more in this herd. They +had, no doubt, been pasturing all day on some far plain, and were now on +their way to the water, determined to have a good drink before going to +rest 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 the +rivulet--where they entered, and having drunk, went out again, and +commenced browsing along the bank. It was evident they did not intend +coming any nearer to the butte, or the grove of willows, where our +hunters had concealed themselves. This was a disappointment. All three +had once more set their minds upon an antelope supper; and now their +chances 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 the +first herd, so lately shown in regard to the wolves, recalled it to his +remembrance. He resolved, therefore, to try this expedient, and secure +an antelope if possible. + +Cautioning his brothers to remain quiet, he took up one of the red +blankets that lay near. He had already cut a long forked sapling, and +sharpened 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 the +sapling in the other, he passed out of the willows into the open +ground--keeping the blanket between him and the animals, so that his +body was completely hidden from them. In this way he advanced a few +paces, walking in a bent attitude, until he had attracted the attention +of the antelopes. He then stuck the sapling firmly in the ground, hung +the blanket upon its forks, and knelt down behind it. + +An object so odd-looking, both as regarded form and colour, at once +excited the curiosity of the herd. They left off feeding, and commenced +approaching it--halting at short intervals, and then continuing to +advance. They did not move in single file--as the former herd had +done--but first one, and then another of the bucks took the lead, each +wishing to make a display of his courage. In a few minutes one of the +largest was within range; when Basil, who was lying flat along the +grass, took sight at the animal's breast and fired. + +The buck leaped up at the shot; but, to the great disappointment of the +marksman, turned in his tracks, and fled along with the rest of the +herd, all of which had bounded off on hearing the crack of the rifle. + +Basil beheld this with some surprise. He had taken deliberate aim; and +he 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 the +antelope run off apparently unhurt; and, attributing his failure to the +hurried 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 retreating +antelopes; "look at the wolves! Away they go after." + +"Ha!" exclaimed Lucien, "you have wounded the buck, brother, else the +wolves would never follow. See! they are running upon his track like +hounds!" + +Lucien was right. The animal was hit, or the wolves would not have +embarked in a chase so hopeless as the pursuit of a prong-horn; for, +strange to say, these cunning creatures can tell when game has been +wounded better than the hunters themselves, and very often pursue and +run it down, when the latter believes it to have escaped! It was +evident, therefore, that Basil had hit the animal--though not in a +deadly part--and the wolves were now following with the hope of hunting +it down. + +A new idea came into Basil's mind. He thought he might yet _be in at +the death_; and with this idea he ran up to his horse, drew the +picket-pin, and leaping upon his bare back, directed him after the +chase. He was soon in full gallop over the prairie, keeping the wolves +in sight as he went. He could see the antelope, he had fired at, some +distance ahead of the wolves, but _far behind the rest of the herd_, and +evidently 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 with +the wounded antelope, and drag it down upon the prairie. He made all +the haste he could--putting Black Hawk to the top of his speed. In a +few minutes he was upon the ground, and scattered the wolves as he +galloped among them; but once more he had arrived too late. The body of +the antelope was torn to pieces, and more than half devoured; while only +half-picked bones and pieces of skin remained to reward him for his long +ride! + +With an ejaculation, which came very near being a French oath, the +disappointed hunter turned his horse, and rode slowly back--wishing the +wolves far enough as he went. + +When he returned, Francois assisted him in his maledictions; for +Francois was tired of the bear-meat, and was vexed at being thus a +second time cheated out of something fresh for supper. + +Lucien, however, assured them both that the flesh of the antelope, as he +had 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, and +some pinon bread, which Lucien had prepared according to the Indian +fashion, all three made a supper that was not to be sneered at under any +circumstances. When it was eaten, they brought their horses closer to +the camp--so as to have them near in case of necessity--and, having +wrapped themselves in their blankets, they once more sought the +refreshment of sleep. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. + +SCATTERING THE CIMMARONS. + +This night they were not permitted to sleep without interruption. Two +or three times their horses bounded about at the end of their +trail-ropes, frightened by some prowling animal. It might be wolves, +thought they; but the dog Marengo, who did not mind the wolves, showed +symptoms of terror, growling savagely it intervals, but all the while +keeping in by the camp. The mule Jeanette, too, came close up to the +fire--as near as her rope would allow her--and our adventurers could see +that she trembled, as if in fear of some well-known enemy! Several +times they could distinguish, amidst the howling of the wolves, a +strange sound, differing altogether from the voices of the latter. It +was a kind of continued snort, uttered in a low and querulous tone; and +when uttered, it always caused Jeanette to start, and Marengo to crouch +closer to them. Could it be the voice of the cougar? or, more fearful +thought still, the snort of the grizzly bear? The latter was not +unlikely. They were now in a region where these fierce animals are to +be met with; and just in such a spot as one or more of them would choose +for their abode. + +It was a fearful apprehension, and it would have banished sleep from the +eyes of the young hunters had they been certain that grizzly bears were +in their neighbourhood. They were not certain, however; still they +resolved not to sleep all at one time, but to keep watch in turns. The +fire was replenished with fresh wood, so that the blaze would enable +them to see for a good distance around; and then two of them lay down to +sleep again, while the third watched, sitting up with his piece in +readiness for any sudden attack. Each took a two-hours' turn as +sentinel until the morning broke, which put an end to their fears, as no +enemy 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 made +ready their breakfast. They did not fail to observe, that their stock +of the jerked meat could serve them but a day or two longer; for the +wolves at their last camp had carried off a considerable portion of it. +They were not without fears as to their future subsistence, as there +seemed to be no game in that part of the country except antelopes; and +their experience already taught them how little chance they had of +capturing these. Should they not fall in with the buffalo, therefore, +they might starve with hunger. + +These thoughts occupied them while engaged in preparing and eating +breakfast; and they resolved to go on half rations of the bear-meat, and +economise the little of it that was left. + +After breakfast they held a council as to their future route. Should +they go north, south, east, or west, from the butte? They were of +different minds. At length, however, they all agreed that before coming +to any determination, it would be best to climb the butte, and from its +top get a view of the surrounding country, which might enable them to +resolve upon the best route to be taken. Perhaps they might see the +buffaloes from its summit--as it, no doubt, commanded an extensive view +of the prairie on all sides. + +Shouldering their guns, and leaving their blankets and utensils by the +spring, they started on foot to find a place where they might ascend the +eminence. They went round by the western end, for their camp was near +its north-east side. As they proceeded, they began to fear that there +was no place where the hill could be climbed. On all sides it appeared +to be a precipice rising perpendicularly from the plain! Here and there +loose rocks lay at its base, as if they had fallen from above; and trees +grew out of its face, clinging by their roots in the seams of the cliff. +Scattered pines standing upon its topmost edge, stretched their +branches 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 presented +itself 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 from +north to south as far as they could see. It _was_, in fact, a range of +cliffs--similar to those of the butte. It was the eastern escarpment of +the famous "Llano Estacado," or "Staked Plain." The boys had often +heard hunters speak of this tableland, and they recognised its features +at a glance. The butte around which they were travelling was nothing +more than an outlying "mesa" of this singular formation of the prairies. + +After gazing, for a moment, on the far-off bluffs, our young hunters +continued on their course, keeping around the southern side of the +eminence. Still the cliffs rose perpendicularly, and offered no slope +by which they might be scaled. They appeared even higher on this side; +and in some places hung over, with dark jutting rocks, and large trees +growing horizontally outward. + +At one place the boys had halted, and were gazing upward, when several +strange-looking creatures suddenly appeared upon the edge of the +precipice above them. They were animals, but such as they had never +seen before. Each of them was as large as a common deer, and nearly of +the same colour--reddish upon the back and flanks, though the throat, +hips, and under parts, were of a whitish hue. They were nearly +deer-shaped, though of somewhat stouter proportions, and to these they +bore a strong resemblance in many other respects. In the form of their +heads and general expression of their faces they resembled sheep more +than any other animals. But the most singular part of them was the +horns; and these enabled our hunters at a glance to tell what sort of +animals they were. They were the "cimmarons," or wild sheep of the +Rocky Mountains. + +In regard to their horns, they differed very much from one another; and +at first sight there appeared to be two distinct species of animals. +Some of them had short horns--not over six inches in length--rising from +the crown of the head and bending slightly backward, without widening +much between the tips. These were the females of the flock. The males, +however, presented an appearance altogether different, owing to the +immense size of their horns. These grew out immediately over their +eyes, first curving backwards, and then forwards again, until their +points nearly touched the jaws of the animals on both sides. The horns +of some were more than a yard in length, and quite half as much in +circumference at the base, where they were deeply indented with +ring-like grooves and protuberances, such as are seen in those of the +common ram. These huge appendages gave the creatures a singular and +imposing appearance, as they stood out upon the brink of the precipice +outlined against the blue sky. There were about a dozen of them in +all--both males and females,--but the males could be more plainly seen, +as they were farther forward upon the cliff, looking down and snuffing +the tainted air. + +As soon as our young hunters had recovered from their first surprise at +this novel sight, all three levelled their pieces with the intention of +firing. But the cimmarons seemed to have guessed their design; for, as +the guns were pointed upward, they wheeled, and were out of sight in a +twinkling. + +The boys remained on the spot for more than a quarter of an hour, in +hopes that the animals would again make their appearance on the +precipice above. The latter, however, did not return. They had +satisfied their curiosity; or else, wiser than the antelopes, they were +not going to let it lure them into danger. Our hunters, therefore, were +at length constrained to leave the spot, and continue their search for a +path 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 to +replenish their larder. As they proceeded, every crevice or ravine that +seemed to lead up the cliff was carefully examined; but upon all its +southern front no practicable path could be discovered. + +"There must be _some_ way up," said Francois, "else how could the sheep +have got there?" + +"Maybe," suggested Basil, "they were bred up there, and have never been +down 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 well +as 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, we +may not be able to follow it. These animals, although hoofed as sheep +are, can scale a cliff like cats, or spring down one like squirrels. It +is in that way they are enabled to escape from wolves, panthers, and +other beasts who would prey upon them." + +"I have heard," said Basil, "that they can fling themselves down for a +hundred feet or more upon their horns, without receiving the slightest +injury. Is that true, Luce?" + +"Both the Indians and trappers affirm it, and intelligent travellers +have believed them. Whether it be true or not is a question among +naturalists, that remains to be cleared up. It is certain that they can +leap downward for a very great distance--that they can alight on the +narrowest shelves of a precipice without a hoof slipping--that they can +spring across fearful chasms, and run swiftly along ledges where a dog +or a wolf would not dare to venture. Indeed, they seem to delight in +such situations--as if it gave them a pleasure to court danger, just as +a 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 the +Spaniards--the earliest explorers of these regions. Naturalists have +named them `argali,' from their resemblance to the argali (_Ovis +ammon_), or wild sheep of Europe. They are not the same species, +however. In my opinion, they are _not wild sheep at all_, but true +antelopes, as much so as the chamois of the Alps, or the prong-horns of +the prairie. Indeed, to say that our common sheep sprung from the +argali seems a very absurd theory. There is but little resemblance +between the two animals, except about the head and horns of the rams; +and, I think, no circumstances could have caused such a difference as +there exists between them in other respects. I should say, then, that +the big-horns are not sheep, but antelopes--_mountain_ _antelopes_, you +might call them, to distinguish them from their prong-horned cousins, +who prefer to range over the plains, while they, on the contrary, spend +most of their time among the steep and craggy cliffs." + +An exclamation from Basil, who was walking a few paces in advance, at +this moment summoned the attention of his brothers, and put an end to +this conversation. They had arrived at the eastern end of the butte, +which on that side presented a different appearance from either of the +others. There was a deep ravine that indented the cliff, and along its +channel a sloping path appeared to lead up to the top. This channel was +filled with large loose rocks, surrounded by an underwood of cacti and +acacia thorns; and it seemed as though the slope was sufficiently easy +to be ascended by a person on foot. Near the bottom of the ravine were +very large boulders; and a spring, more copious than the one where the +hunters had encamped, ran out from among them, and flowed south-eastward +through a fringe of grass and willows. + +As the boys came up to the spring branch, some tracks in the soft mud +drew their attention. They were of an oblong shape, and larger than the +footprints of a man; but the deep holes made by five great claws at the +end of each told what animal had made them. They were the tracks of the +grizzly bear. There could be no doubt of this, for there were the +prints of the long plantigrade feet, the tubercules of the toes, and the +holes where the curving claws had sunk several inches into the mud. No +other animal could have made such marks--not even the black or brown +bear, whose claws are short in comparison with those of the grizzly +monster of the mountains. + +For some moments our hunters hesitated under feelings of alarm; but, as +the animal that had made the tracks was not in sight, their fears +gradually subsided to some extent, and they began to consider what was +best to be done. Should they go up the ravine, and endeavour to reach +the summit? This would only be carrying out their original intention, +and they would have started upward without hesitation, had they not +discovered the bear-tracks. Seeing these, however, had put a new aspect +on the matter. If there were grizzly bears in the neighbourhood--and +this seemed very certain--the ravine was the most likely place to find +them in. Its thick underwood, with the numerous crevices that, like +caverns, appeared among the rocks on each side, were just such places as +grizzly bears delight in. Their lair might be in this very ravine, and +it would be a dangerous business to stumble upon it in passing up. But +our young hunters were full of courage. They had a keen desire to +ascend the butte--partly out of curiosity, and partly to get a shot at +the big-horns--and this desire triumphed over prudence. They resolved +to 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 pull +themselves up by laying hold of branches and roots. They noticed that +_there was a trail_, which they followed upward. No doubt the +big-horns, or some other animals, had made this trail as they passed up +and down--though it was only distinguishable by a slight discoloration +upon the rocks, and by the earth being packed firmer in some places, as +if by hoofs or feet. A little better than half-way up the boys observed +a fissure, like the entrance of a cave, on one side of the ravine and +close to the trail. Around this the earthy colour of the rocks, the +absence of herbage, and the paddled appearance of the soil, suggested +the idea that some animal made its den there. They passed it in +silence, climbing as quickly as the nature of the ground would allow +them, and looking backwards with fear. In a few minutes they had +reached the escarpment of the butte; and, raising themselves by their +hands they peeped over, and at once obtained a view of its whole +table-like summit. + +It was, as they had conjectured, perfectly level upon the top, with an +area-surface of about twenty or thirty acres. Pine-trees grew thinly +over it, with here and there a bush or two of acacia, the species known +as "mezquite." There was plenty of grass among the trees, and large +tussocks of "bunch grass" mingling with cactus and aloe plants, formed a +species 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 single +view. The hunters had hardly elevated their heads above the cliff, when +the herd of big-horns became visible. They were at the moment near the +western extremity of the table; and, to the astonishment of all, they +appeared leaping over the ground as if they were mad! They were not +attempting to escape; for they had not as yet noticed the boys, who, on +getting above, had crept cautiously behind some bushes. On the +contrary, the animals were skipping about in different directions at the +same time, and bounding high into the air. After a moment it was +observed that only those with the large horns were taking part in this +exercise, while the others were browsing quietly near them. It was soon +evident what the males were about. They were engaged in a fierce +conflict; and their angry snorts, with the loud cracking of their horns, +told that they were in terrible earnest. Now they backed from each +other--as rams usually do--and anon they would dash forward until their +heads met with a crash, as though the skulls of both had been splintered +by the concussion. Sometimes two fought by themselves, and at other +times three or four of them would come together, as if it mattered +little which was the antagonist. They all appeared to be equally the +enemies of one another. Strange to say, the ewes did not seem to +trouble themselves about the matter. Most of these were feeding +quietly, or if at times they looked up towards their belligerent lords, +it was with an air of nonchalance and indifference, as if they cared +nothing 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 was +agreed, therefore, that Lucien with Marengo should remain there, while +Basil and Francois stole up for a first shot. They lost no time in +putting this plan into execution. They perceived that the fight +completely occupied the attention of the animals; and, taking advantage +of this, Basil and Francois crept over the ground--sheltering +themselves, as well as they could--until they had got within easy range. +Both arrived together behind a little clump of acacias; and, by a +signal from Basil, they raised themselves together to take aim. As they +did so, they saw one of the rams, who had been backing himself for a +rush, suddenly disappear over the edge of the cliff! They thought he +had tumbled over--as his legs were the last of him they had seen--but +they had no time to speculate upon the matter, as both pulled trigger at +the moment. Two of the animals were laid prostrate by their fire; while +the 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 on +the alert: but, to their great surprise, the cimmarons, as if newly +terrified by their shouts, and finding their retreat cut off, sprang +over the precipice, disappearing instantly from view! + +"They must be all killed," thought Basil and Francois; and, calling +Lucien to come up, all three ran to the point where the animals had +leaped off, and looked over. They could see the plain below, but no +big-horns! What had become of them? + +"Yonder!" cried Francois; "yonder they go!" and he pointed far out upon +the prairie where several reddish-looking objects were seen flying like +the wind toward the far bluffs of the Llano Estacado. Lucien now +directed the eyes of his brothers to several ledge-like steps upon the +cliff, 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 towards +the two that had been shot--both of which, a male and female, lay +stretched upon the grass and quite dead. The boys were about to +commence skinning them, when Basil and Francois remembered what they had +observed just before firing; and, curious to convince themselves whether +the big-horn had actually tumbled over the cliff by accident or leaped +off by design, they walked forward to the spot. On looking over the +edge, they saw a tree shaking violently below them, and among its +branches a large red body was visible. It was the cimmaron; and, to +their astonishment, they perceived that he was hanging suspended by one +of his huge horns, while his body and legs, kicking and struggling, hung +out at their full length in the empty air! It was evident he had +tumbled from the top contrary to his intentions; and had been caught +accidentally in the branches of the pine. It was a painful sight to +witness the efforts of the poor creature; but there was no means of +getting 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 a +bullet through his heart. The shot did not alter his position--as the +horn still held on to the branch--but the animal ceased struggling and +hung down dead,--to remain there, doubtless, until some hungry vulture +should espy him from afar, and, swooping down, strip the flesh from his +swinging carcass! + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. + +BESIEGED BY GRIZZLY BEARS. + +The young hunters now laid aside their guns, drew their knives, and +skinned the cimmarons with the dexterity of practised "killers." They +then cut up the meat, so as the more conveniently to transport it to +their camp. The skins they did not care for; so these were suffered to +remain on the ground where they had been thrown. + +As soon as the "mutton" was quartered, each shouldered a piece, and +commenced carrying it toward the ravine, intending to return and bring +the rest at another load or two. On reaching the point where the path +came up on the table, they saw that it would be difficult for them to +descend with their burdens--as it is more easy to climb a precipice than +to get down one. Another plan suggested itself; and that was, to pitch +the pieces down before them to the bottom of the ravine. This they +could accomplish without difficulty. It would do the meat no harm--as +they intended to cut it up for jerking--and they could easily wash out +the 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 flung +them down the chasm, and could see them lying among the rocks at the +bottom. They then went back to the carcasses, took up fresh loads, and +returned with them to the ravine. + +As they stepped forward to fling them over, a sight met their eyes that +caused each one to drop his load upon the spot. Down near the bottom of +the ravine, and moving among the pieces of meat, was a hideous object--a +huge and ill-shaped animal. Its great size--its long shaggy hair and +greyish brown colour--but, above all, its fierce aspect, left no doubt +upon the minds of our hunters as to what sort of animal it was. There +was no mistaking the dreaded monster of the mountains--the _grizzly +bear_! + +It was nearly twice the size of the common bear; and it differed from +the latter in other respects. Its ears were more erect; its eyes, of +burnt sienna colour, looked more fiery and glaring; its head and muzzle +were broader--giving it an appearance of greater boldness and strength-- +and its long crescent-shaped claws, protruding from the shaggy covering +of its feet, could be distinctly seen from the top of the cliff. With +these it had just torn one of the pieces of mutton into smaller +fragments, and was eagerly devouring it as the boys arrived on the +height 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 for +their guns. These they got hold of, and examined with care, looking to +their caps and nipples. They had already loaded them, before commencing +to 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! One +was 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 the +black species. It was not that, however; but a large cub, of which the +other 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 as +they were getting the benefit of it. They occasionally uttered loud +snorts--as if to express their gratification--and at intervals the old +male one growled as the cub interfered with his eating. The female, on +the contrary, as she tore the mutton into fragments, kept placing the +daintiest morsels before the snout of her black progeny; and with +playful strokes of her paw admonished it from time to time to fall to +and eat. Sometimes they ate standing erect, and holding the meat +between their fore-paws. At others they would place the piece upon a +rock, and devour it at their leisure. Their jaws and claws were red +with the blood--that still remained in the hastily-butchered meat--and +this added to the ferocious aspect of the trio. + +Our adventurers gazed down upon the scene with feelings of the utmost +terror; and no wonder. They had heard such stories of the grizzly bear, +as would have inspired stouter hearts than theirs with feelings of the +kind. They knew that no hunter, when dismounted, ever dares to attack +this animal; and, even when on horseback and armed with his trusty +rifle, he will only venture to do so when the ground is open, and he is +sure of escape through the fleetness of his horse. They knew that +hunters, even when in large parties, are often chased by a single bear +of this kind, after each of them had given him a shot; for as many as +twenty bullets have been fired into the body of a grizzly bear without +bringing him to the ground. All these facts came into the minds of our +boy 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 since +observed that the space between the ravine and their point of starting +was the same. How, then, were they to get back to camp? There was no +way but one--_down_ the ravine--and the bears would be certain to attack +them should they attempt to descend that way. + +The boys gazed at each other with terrified looks, repeating what they +had to say in muttered whispers. All three well understood the danger +of their position. Would the bears, after they had satisfied their +hunger, go off and leave the ravine? No. The cave, which had been +noticed, 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 as +they were clambering down? If so, they would easily overcome the latter +among the loose rocks and bushes. One or all would fall a sacrifice +should they attempt to descend. Might the bears not go out upon the +plain? Perhaps they might go out as far as the spring, either for +water, or led by some other want. But even so, they would then be able +to see the hunters coming down, and could easily overtake them before +the latter could reach the camp, or their horses. The horses had been +set loose, and were now a good distance off upon the prairie. There was +but little consolation in this thought, and less in that which occurred +to them next; which was that the fierce brutes might not be satisfied at +what they had eaten, but might take it into their heads to clamber up to +the summit in search of more! This apprehension was the most fearful of +all--as the boys knew that there was no place upon the table where they +could long conceal themselves; and to get down, if once discovered and +pursued, would be utterly impossible. + +Filled with these appalling thoughts, they crouched upon their hands and +knees, now peering cautiously through the leaves of the aloes, and now +whispering to each other the various plans of escape that suggested +themselves. But all these plans ended in the faint hope that the bears +might make a temporary absence from the ravine, and give them a chance +to pass down. They could think of no other mode of extricating +themselves from their dilemma. + +At times the idea occurred to Basil, of taking good aim, and firing at +one or other of the huge animals. Francois applauded this idea, while +Lucien as strongly opposed it. The latter argued that it would only +irritate the bears, and bring them up at once--that there was no chance +of killing any of them by a single bullet, unless it passed through the +brain or the heart; and this, aiming, as they must do, over a cliff, was +a very problematical affair. Even should one fall, the others would +avenge the death of their comrade. A volley would not be likely to kill +them all. + +Lucien's arguments prevailed; and the less prudent brothers gave up +their idea of firing, and remained, silently gazing down as before. + +They lay for nearly half-an-hour watching and waiting. The bears +finished their meal, having devoured every bit of the meat. Were they +satisfied? No. A shoulder of mutton is but a morsel to the ravenous +appetite of a grizzly bear; and it seemed only to have set theirs upon +edge. They guessed whence their lunch had come--from above--and there +was the place to go in search of their dinner. They looked up. The +boys suddenly drew back their heads, hiding them behind the leaves. It +was too late. The bears had seen them, and the next moment were +galloping upward! + +The first thought of our hunters was to fly, and with this intention +they all sprang to their feet. But Basil, with a feeling of rage, was +determined to try whether a rifle-bullet might not serve as a check to +the advancing enemy. He levelled down the pass, and fired. His +brothers, seeing him do so, followed his example--Francois emptying both +barrels that had been loaded with buck-shot. One of the bears--the cub +it was--tumbled back down the ravine but after the volley the largest of +all was seen clambering up, growling fiercely as he came. The hunters, +not having time to reload, ran off over the table--scarcely knowing what +direction 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 moment +his long body was stretched out in pursuit of them. They had been in +hopes that the pieces of meat might have attracted his attention, and +drawn him aside. This did not happen. The meat was not directly upon +his path; moreover, the animal appeared infuriated as he approached. He +had been stung by the shot, and was bent upon revenge. + +It was a terrible moment. The angry monster was within three hundred +yards of them. In a few seconds he would be upon them, and one or the +other must become his victim. + +In crises like these, bold minds are the most apt to conceive +expedients. So it was with that of Basil. On other occasions he was +rash and often imprudent, but in moments of extreme danger he became +cool and collected, even more so than his philosophic brother, Lucien. +A thought, which hitherto had strangely been overlooked both by himself +and his brothers, now in the hour of peril came into his mind. He +remembered that the grizzly bear is _not a tree-climber_! With the +thought he shouted out,-- + +"To the trees! to the trees!" at the same time embracing one of the +pines, and sprawling upwards as fast as he could climb. + +Both Lucien and Francois imitated his example, each taking to the tree +that 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 come +up, however, all three were perched in the pines, as high among the +branches as they could safely get. + +The bear galloped forward, and seeing where they had gone, ran from tree +to tree, growling with rage and disappointment. He rose upon his +hind-legs, and endeavoured to reach the lowermost branches with his +fore-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 with +his claws making the bark fly off in large pieces. One in particular-- +that upon which Francois had taken refuge--being a small tree, vibrated +so rapidly under the powerful efforts of the brute, that its occupant +was in danger of being dashed to the ground. But the fear of such an +event caused Francois to put forth all his energies; and, encouraged by +the shouts of Basil and Lucien, he held on manfully. The bear, after a +while, seeing he could not shake him off, gave it up; and again tried +his strength upon the trees that had been climbed by the others. This +ended as before; except that the bear completely skinned off the bark as +high as he could reach, and made such an impression upon the trunks with +his teeth and claws, that the boys feared he might take it into his head +to cut down the trees altogether. He could easily have accomplished +this; but, fortunately for them, the grizzly bear is not gifted with +reasoning faculties, else their fate would have been a terrible one +indeed. + +When he found, at length, that he could neither drag down the trees, nor +shake the boys out of them, he gave up the attempt; and for a time +walked from one to the other, backwards and forwards, like a sentry, now +and then uttering a loud "sniff," and at intervals growling fiercely. +At length he stretched his huge body along the ground, and appeared to +sleep! + +What had become of the female and the cub? Had both fallen by the shots +fired 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. They +were still in the ravine then; but whether dead or alive could not be +determined. The dog Marengo, by a wise instinct, had not attacked the +bear, but had escaped to one edge of the table, where he was crouching +and cowering with fear, taking care not to put himself in the way of +being seen. + +The young hunters were now in a worse situation than ever. They dared +not venture out of the trees without the certainty of dropping into the +jaws of the monster; and they were suffering pain as they sat straddled +across the slender branches of the pines. Besides, they were thirsty-- +thirsty to an extreme degree. They had taken no water with them in the +morning. The sun was fiercely hot; and, even while engaged in skinning +the big-horns, they had been complaining for want of water. They now +began to suffer from thirst, more than from any other cause. Should the +bear remain for any length of time, what would become of them? They +must either drop down to be at once torn to pieces, or perish slowly +where they sat. These were the alternatives! + +They could make no change in their situation. Their guns were upon the +ground, where in their haste they had flung them. They dared not +descend to recover them. They were utterly helpless; and could do +nothing but await the result. As if to tantalise them, they now beheld +for the first time the objects of their far expedition--the animals they +had so long desired to come up with--_the buffaloes_! Away to the +south-west a multitude of black bodies were seen upon the plain, like +crowds of men in dark clothing. They were moving to and fro, now +uniting in masses, and now separating like the squadrons of an irregular +army. 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 Llano +Estacado. This proved to be the case; for in a few minutes the headmost +had pushed forward on a line with the butte; and our young hunters could +distinguish the shaggy, lion-shaped bodies of the bulls that formed the +vanguard of the "gang." Under other circumstances this would have been +a glad sight indeed. As it was, it only served to render their +situation more intolerable. The buffaloes were passing to the north. +Even should they themselves escape, after a time they might not be able +to overtake them; and although they could distinguish none that were +_white_--for the main body was a great way off--it was highly probable +that in so large a herd one or more of these would be found. + +As all three continued to watch the black multitudes rolling past, an +exclamation, or rather a _shout_ of joy, was uttered by Basil. He was +upon a tree that stood apart from the others and gave him an +unobstructed 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 be +nothing else, all believed, than the object of their long wild hunt--a +_white buffalo_. All three huzzaed loudly, and for a moment forgot the +peril of their position. Their shouts started the grizzly monster +below, who, lazily rising to his feet, once more commenced growling and +shuffling about among the trees. The sight of him soon restored the +hunters 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 at +the fierce gaoler that watched unweariedly below--now gazing out upon +the plain, where the dusky droves still continued to move. For hours +the buffaloes kept passing northward, until the setting sun glanced +redly from their brown bodies. Once or twice again the boys thought +they saw white ones in the herd; but their eyes had grown dim with +watching, and the pain which they endured now rendered them indifferent +to aught else than their own misery. Despair had conquered hope--for +they were choking with thirst--and death stared them in the face. + +After a long while the bear again lay down, and placing his fore-paws +over his head appeared once more to sleep. Basil could stand it no +longer; and now resolved to make an effort to escape. At all events he +would 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 search +of his rifle. He soon laid hands upon it; and then, returning to his +tree, climbed up again. The shaking of the branches as he did so, awoke +the bear; who sprang to his feet, and rushed towards the tree. Had he +been a moment sooner, it would have been ill for Basil, for the snout of +the animal, as he reared upward against the trunk, almost touched the +boy's feet. It was an "inch of a miss as good as a mile," and Basil was +saved. The next moment he was seated among the branches, and leisurely +loading his rifle! + +Strange to say, the bear appeared to comprehend this movement. As if +aware of his danger, he kept out farther from the trees; and, while +rambling about, now, for the first time, stumbled upon what remained of +the carcasses of the big-horns. These he proceeded to tear up, and +devour. He was still within range of the rifle, though not for a sure +shot; but Basil, who knew he could load again, was determined either to +force him farther off, or bring him within reach; and with this intent +he 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 still +continued to devour the meat! + +Again Basil loaded and fired as before. This time the animal received +the shot about the head, which caused him to make fresh demonstrations +of his fury. He dropped his prey, and galloped back among the trees, +first clutching one and then another, making repeated efforts to drag +them down. He at length came to Basil's tree, and seized it in his +fierce hug. This was exactly what the young hunter wanted. He had +hastily reloaded, and as the bear stood upright under the branches, he +leant downwards until the muzzle of his rifle almost touched the snout +of the animal. Then came the report--a stream of fire was poured into +the very face of the bear--and a crashing sound followed. As the smoke +cleared off, the huge body was seen kicking and sprawling upon the +ground. The leaden messenger had done its work. It had passed through +the brain; and in a few seconds the shaggy monster lay motionless upon +the earth. + +The boys now dropped from the trees. Francois and Lucien ran for their +guns, and all three having loaded with care, proceeded toward the +ravine. They stayed not to examine the enemy that had been slain. +Thirst urged them on, and they thought only of getting to the spring +below. They were full of hope that the she-bear and her cub had been +killed by their first fire, and that they would now find the road clear. + +What was their disappointment when, on looking down the ravine, they saw +the cub lying doubled up, near the bottom, and the old one standing +sentry over it! The cub was evidently dead. So much the worse--as the +mother would not now leave it for a moment, and both were directly in +the path. The latter was moving backward and forward upon a ledge of +rock, at intervals approaching the cub and tossing its body with her +snout, and then uttering a low querulous moan, that was painful to +listen to! + +The hunters saw at once that their situation was as bad as ever. Their +retreat was cut off by the infuriated mother, who might remain where she +was for an indefinite time. Should they fire down upon her, and take +the chances of once more escaping to the trees? This was an alternative +which they had reason to dread. Their painful experience decided them +against it. What then? Remain until after night-fall, and try to steal +past in the darkness? Perhaps the bear might retire to her cave, and +give them an opportunity to do so. But in the meantime they were dying +of thirst! + +At this moment a happy idea suggested itself to Lucien. He saw the +cactus plants growing near. There were large globes of the +echinocactus. He remembered having read that these often assuaged the +thirst of the desert traveller. The plants were soon reached, and their +succulent masses laid open by the knives of the hunters. The cool +watery fibres were applied to their lips; and in a few minutes their +thirst was alleviated and almost forgotten. Still the bear occupied the +ravine, and so long as she remained there, there was no possible chance +of their getting back to camp. They saw, however, that they could do +nothing better than wait for the night, in hopes that the darkness might +bring about something in their favour. + +Night soon came on, but not darkness. It chanced to be a clear +moonlight; and they saw at once that it would then be quite as perilous +to go down the ravine as it had been during the day. They could hear +the snorting and growling of the monster below; and they knew she still +held the pass. Should they attempt to descend, she would discover them +long before they could get down. She could hear them clambering among +the rocks and bushes. The advantage would be hers, as she could attack +them unawares. Besides, even had the coast been quite clear, they would +have found it difficult to get down the steep descent in the night. +They dared not attempt it. After much deliberation, therefore, they +resolved to wait for the morning. + +Throughout all the live-long night they kept awake. They heard their +steeds neighing below--wondering, poor brutes, what had become of their +masters. The hinny of Jeanette echoed wildly from the cliffs, and was +answered by the bark and howl of the prairie-wolf. These sounds, +together with the more ominous snort of the bear, kept sleep from the +eyes of our adventurers. They dared not go to sleep, unless by perching +themselves in the trees; as they knew not the moment the bear might come +up to the summit. Sleeping upon the slender branch of a mountain pine +is more painful than pleasant; and all three preferred keeping awake. + +Morning broke at length. The first light showed that the shaggy +sentinel was still at her post. She sat upon the same spot, as though +she was guarding her dead offspring. The young hunters, but +particularly Basil, began to grow impatient. They were hungry, though +there were still left some fragments of the wild mutton, which they +could have eaten. But they were thirsty as well. The juice of the +cactus allayed, but did not quench, their thirst. They longed for a +draught of cool water from the spring below. The buffaloes, too, were +gone northward, "on the run." They might never overtake them. They +might never again have such an opportunity of procuring that for which +they had endured all this suffering. These thoughts influenced all +three, but Basil more than any. Some attempt must be made to reach the +plain, and escape from their elevated prison. + +Basil proposed provoking the bear, by firing upon her. She would pursue +them, he urged, as the other had done, and meet with a similar fate. +This might have succeeded, but it would have been a dangerous +experiment. Lucien suggested that two of them should go round the edge +of the precipice and examine it more carefully, while the third kept a +watch upon the bear. Perhaps there might yet be found some other path +that led to the plain. This offered but a faint hope; still it would +take only a few minutes to make the examination, and Lucien's proposal +was therefore agreed to. + +"If we only had a rope," suggested Francois, "we could let ourselves +over the cliff, and then the old grizzly might stay there for ever, if +she 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 they +had 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 to +watch the bear. + +In a few minutes the brothers had cut up both of the hides, until the +ground was covered with long strips. These they knotted firmly +together--placing cross-pieces of pine branches in the knots--until they +had made a raw-hide rope over one hundred feet in length! + +They now proceeded to a convenient point of the cliff--where a pine-tree +grew near its edge--and tied one end of the new-made rope around the +trunk. To the other end they fastened Marengo, the three guns--for +Francois had arrived upon the ground--and, along with these, a large +stone--in order to test the strength of the rope before any of +themselves should venture upon it. All these things were now lowered +down until they could see them resting upon the prairie below. + +The rope was next made taut above; and the weight of the stone--which +was too heavy for Marengo to move--kept all fast below. Francois +slipped down the rope first. There was but little difficulty in his +doing so; as the pieces of wood formed rests, or steps, that prevented +him from sliding too fast. Lucien followed next, and then Basil; so +that in less than half an hour, from the time that this plan of escape +had occurred to them, all three found themselves safe upon the level of +the 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. These +were soon reached, caught, and saddled; and our hunters, now that they +could mount at any moment they pleased, felt themselves safe. + +They resolved, however, to remain no longer by the butte, but to ride +away from it, as soon as they had eaten a morsel. A small fire was, +therefore, kindled; and a piece of bear-meat, hastily broiled, satisfied +their hunger. Basil would have gone back on horseback, to attack the +old she-bear in the ravine; but the more prudent Lucien dissuaded him; +and, holding their horses in readiness, they packed their camp +equipments 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 to +travel in that direction, until they should strike the tracks of the +buffaloes, when they would turn to the north, follow upon the trail of +these animals, and endeavour to come up with the great herd. This was +clearly the best course they could adopt. + +As they were riding past the western extremity of the butte, a flock of +large birds drew their attention. They were vultures. The boys now +remembered the cimmaron that had fallen over the cliff; and, looking up, +they beheld its body still swinging from the tree. It was that which +had attracted the vultures. + +There were many of them--over an hundred in the flock. Some were +sailing 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 hovered +around the carcass, occasionally settling a moment upon its stiffened +limbs, and endeavouring to penetrate the hide with their beaks. They +had already torn out the eyes of the animal, but the tough skin of the +body 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, an +admixture of brownish feathers could be perceived, and this was apparent +in some of them more than in others. To a careless observer they would +all have passed for birds of the same species, although that was not the +case. There were two distinct species of them, the "turkey-buzzard" +(_Cathartes aura_), and the black vulture (_Cathartes atratus_). Our +boys knew them well enough--for both kinds are common in Louisiana, and +throughout all the southern part of the United States. + +I have said that a careless observer would mistake the one species for +the other. They are nearly of the same size and colour, though the +carrion-crow is of a deeper black than the buzzard; but there are other +points 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 are +longer and more elegantly plumed, and his tail is more tapering. The +skin of his naked head and neck, as well as that of his legs, is of a +reddish or flesh colour; while the same parts of the black vulture are a +mixture of black and grey--the black being caused by a down that grows +thinly over the skin. They are easily distinguished in the air. The +black vulture flies rather heavily--flapping his wings several times +with a quick repetition, and then holding them horizontally for a +hundred yards or so--while his short ill-proportioned tail is spread out +like a fan. The buzzard, on the contrary, holds his wings at rest--not +in a horizontal position, but bent considerably upward. In this +attitude he will skim along for a quarter of a mile, without a single +stroke of his wings, and that, too, not downward as may be supposed, but +along a level, or a line often curving upward! How he executes this +upward movement is not known. Some suppose that he possesses the power +of inflating himself with heated air, which enables him to soar upward +without using his wings. This theory is not very clear, and requires +demonstration before it can be accepted as the true one. Others say +that he is carried up by the impetus he has already obtained, by having +previously 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 a +long flight along the level line. It is just possible that the same +principle by which the New Holland savages direct their boomerangs, or +by which flat stones thrown horizontally often take an upward +direction--a fact known to every boy--I say it is just possible that +this principle, as yet but little understood, may be instructively acted +on by the buzzard, and have something to do with his flight. Be the +facts as they may, it is an interesting sight to watch one of these +birds, with broad wings outlined against the blue background of the +heavens, 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 black +vulture. There is more of the eagle about him. Both, it is true, are +carrion-feeders, like all vultures; but the buzzard also hunts after +other food, such as snakes, lizards, and small quadrupeds. He will +attack 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 animals +is an exception, and not a rule. They only do so, probably, when driven +to it by hunger. Both species are gregarious, although they do not +always appear in flocks. The buzzards, particularly, are often seen +hunting alone, or in twos or threes; but their mode of life brings them +together in large numbers. They often assemble--both buzzards and black +vultures--to the number of hundreds, over a single carrion. The +buzzards, however, are not so plenty as the black vultures; and in one +of these flocks more than three-fourths will be found of the latter +species. The buzzards are the shyer birds; and they are less disposed +to keep together in flocks. It has even been said that these are not +gregarious, 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 at +night, but they even associate with the black vultures at such times. + +In most countries the vulture is a privileged bird. He is looked upon +as a cheap and useful scavenger, clearing away the carcasses of dead +animals, that would otherwise pollute the atmosphere. This is a matter +of much importance in hot countries; and it is only in such countries +that vultures are commonly found. What a beautiful illustration of the +completeness of Nature's laws! As you get into high latitudes and +colder regions--where the air is not so readily tainted by putrid +substances--the necessity for such a scavenger no longer exists, and he +is rarely met with. There the great vulture gives place to the croaking +raven, and the small carrion-crow. + +Vultures, I have said, are privileged birds. In most countries they are +protected by law. This is the case with regard to the present species, +both in English and Spanish America, where there is a fine for killing +them. The consequence is, they are seldom molested; and in many places +are so tame, that they will permit you to come within a few feet of +them. In the cities and villages of the Southern States they alight in +the streets, and go to sleep upon the house-tops. They do the same in +the cities of Mexico and South America, where both species are also +found. + +As soon as our young hunters had got opposite the cliff where the +vultures were, they reined up, determined to remain awhile, and watch +the manoeuvres of the birds. They were curious to see how the latter +would conduct themselves with a prey so singularly situated, as was the +carcass of the cimmaron. They did not dismount, but sat in their +saddles, about an hundred yards from the cliff. The vultures, of +course, did not regard their presence; but continued to alight, both +upon the escarpment of the precipice and upon the loose rocks at its +foot, 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 a +turkey-buzzard and a small-sized turkey-hen--that is, the common +domestic turkey of the black variety, which, like the buzzard, is +usually of a brownish colour. So like are they, that, at the distance +of a hundred yards, I have often taken the one for the other. This +resemblance, however, extends no farther than to the general +appearance--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 an +anecdote that is told in relation to one." + +"Oh! let us have it, brother," said Francois. + +"With pleasure," replied Lucien. "It is intended to illustrate the +superior cunning of the white over the Indian race; and is a pretty fair +sample of the honesty and justice which the former has too often +observed in its dealings with the latter. It is as follows:-- + +"A white man and an Indian went out together for a day's hunting. They +agreed that the game should be equally divided at night, no matter who +had killed the largest share of it. During the day the Indian shot a +turkey, and the white hunter a turkey-buzzard; and these two birds were +all that either of them were able to meet with. The proceeds of the +day's hunt were brought together; and now arose a difficulty about an +equal division of the game. Both knew well enough the value of a good +fat turkey; and both were as well acquainted with the utter +worthlessness of the buzzard--which was in fact _worth less than +nothing_, as its filthy odour was extremely repulsive. It was evident +that the only way of making a fair division would have been to cut the +turkey in two equal parts, and each to take one of the halves. The +white man, however, would not agree to this; but proposed that one of +them 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 of +us 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'll +deal fairly with you. I'll take the turkey, and let you have the +buzzard; or, _you can take the buzzard_, and I'll keep the turkey.' + +"The Indian reflected, that in either case the buzzard would fall to his +share; but the white man's proposition _seemed_ a just one; and, as he +could find no flaw in its fairness, he was constrained, though +reluctantly, to accept it. The white hunter, therefore, shouldered his +turkey, and trudged off homewards, leaving the poor Indian supperless in +the woods." + +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Francois, "what a shallow Indian he must have been +to be so easily outwitted!" + +"Ah!" said Lucien, "he was not the only one of his race, who has been +similarly deceived by white men. Many a _pewter_ dollar has been passed +upon these simple sons of the forest, in exchange for their furs and +peltries. I have reason to suspect that one very rich fur-trader, now +dead, laid the foundation of his immense fortune in this way; but my +suspicions do not amount to positive proof, and therefore I do not +assert it for a fact. Perhaps some historian may one day assail even +the character of the _good_ Penn; who is said to have purchased from the +Indians a territory of three _square miles_, but took care to have it +measured off as _three miles square_! I hope the story is not a true +one." + +"Why, that," said Francois, "is almost the same trick as Dido performed +with the bull's hide." + +"Yes," replied his brother; "so you see that dishonesty belongs +exclusively to no age or nation. It has existed in the past, and will +continue to exist, until men, becoming more and more highly educated, +will be moved by nobler ambition than the mere spirit of gain. I +believe 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 still +arriving upon the ground. As fresh ones came, they would wheel about +for awhile in the air, and then drop down and perch themselves on the +trees and rocks. Some sat crouching with drooping wings, and heads +drawn in--so that their long naked necks were quite concealed under +their ruff-like collars. Others stood erect, with both wings raised +from the body, half unfolded, and held "a-kimbo," as eagles are often +seen, and as they are sometimes represented upon coins and standards. +It is supposed that both vultures and eagles spread their wings in this +fashion to cool themselves when they are too warm, and sun themselves +when too cold--for they do so in cold, as well as warm weather; and in +this attitude they exhibit a singular and rather pleasing picture. + +Some of the vultures could be seen descending from the very highest +regions of the air. They could be noted like little specks against the +blue sky, gradually growing larger and larger, until their broad wings +cast moving shadows upon the sunlit sward, as the birds floated spirally +downward. Others were observed approaching in a horizontal direction-- +some of them seeming no bigger than sparrows, as they first caught the +eye 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 in +sight when we killed those big-horns." + +"They have been guided by their scent, of course," replied Basil; "they +have great power in that way." + +"Not so, brother," interrupted Lucien; "that is one of the errors of +your closet-naturalists--your Buffons and Cuviers--propagated by them, +until it has become proverbial. Strange to say, it is altogether +erroneous. It has been proved that vultures possess the sense of smell +in a less degree even than most other creatures. Dogs and wolves far +excel 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 of +perfection." + +"But how can that be, Luce?" rejoined Basil. "See! yonder are some +coming from the eastward. Now, as the butte is between them and the +big-horn, how is it possible they could have seen it?" + +"I do not say they have; but they have seen others, who have seen +others, who in their turn have seen others, who actually _have_ seen the +carrion." + +"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 greater +distance; and those again who have followed them have been followed by +others still more distant, and so on." + +"Precisely so; and this at once accounts for the fabulous stories of +vultures scenting carrion at the distance of miles--none of which +stories are true, but have been propagated by men who, perhaps, never +saw a vulture in the air, but who, in order to make their books amusing, +have readily adopted the exaggerated tales of every Munchausen they +could meet with." + +"Your theory is certainly the more probable one." + +"It is the true one. It has been proved to be so by numerous +experiments with vultures; all of which have gone to show, that these +birds have anything but a keen sense of smell. On the contrary, it is +remarkably weak; and I think it is well for them it is so, considering +the sort of food they live upon." + +"This flock must have gathered from all parts," remarked Francois; "we +see them coming in from every point of the compass. No doubt some of +them have travelled fifty miles." + +"As likely an hundred," rejoined Lucien. "Such a journey is a mere +bagatelle to them. Now, if I knew the precise moment at which the +carrion was discovered by the first one, I could tell how far each of +the others had come--that is, each of them whose arrival we are now +witnessing." + +"But how could you do that, brother?" demanded Basil and Francois, in +astonishment; "pray tell us how?" + +"I should make my calculation thus:--In the first place, they have all +started _at the same time_." + +"At the same time!" interrupted Basil; "how can that be, if some of them +were an hundred miles off?" + +"No matter what distance," replied Lucien; "it is all the same. They +have all commenced their flight hither, not _exactly_, but _nearly_, at +the same moment. Is it not plain? These birds, while hunting for their +food, sweep through the air in great circles. Each of these circles +overlooks a large tract of the earth's surface below. Their +circumferences approach or intersect each other--so that, in fact, the +whole country is under a network of them. Now, as soon as one of the +vultures, thus sailing about, discovers with far-seeing eye the carrion +below, he immediately drops from his high orbit, and wings his way +downward. He is observed by that one circling nearest him; who, well +knowing the cause of the altered flight of his companion, at once +forsakes his own orbit and follows; and he, in his turn, is followed by +another; and so on to the end of the chain." + +"But how can one of them tell that the other is gone in pursuit of +prey?" inquired Francois, interrupting Lucien in his explanation. + +"Suppose you saw Basil at a great distance off on the prairie, could you +not tell by his actions when he had started game, and was in pursuit of +it?" + +"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 a +feather--so that they can easily tell when one of their number has a +good dinner in sight. + +"I think I have shown," continued Lucien, "that they all start within a +few seconds of the same time; and as they fly in a nearly direct line +towards the object, if we knew the rate at which they go, it would only +remain for us to mark the date of their arrival, to be able to tell how +far they had come. Of course it is supposed that we have already noted +the 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 allow +them a flight of thirty miles an hour, we may then safely conclude that +some of those now coming in have made a journey of sixty miles this +morning. 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 they +at 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, sitting +perched upon rocks and trees--some of them in listless attitudes, as +though 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 no +foundation in fact. They do _not_ prefer it in that state. On the +contrary, 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 great +muscular power in their claws that eagles do, else you would soon see +the big-horn reduced to a skeleton. They are waiting until its skin +becomes more tender, through decomposition, so that they may be able to +tear it open. That is why they are waiting." + +Such was evidently the true explanation; for each of the new-comers was +seen to attack the carcass; and, after finding he could make nothing of +it, fly off and settle quietly down on the rocks or trees. + +As the boys watched them, however, some more eager than the rest +effected an incision--at the spot where Basil's bullet had entered the +body of the animal--and were rapidly widening it. The others, +perceiving this, began to fly toward the spot; and, in less than five +minutes, the tree was black with the filthy birds, until they crowded +each other upon the branches. Several perched upon the limbs and horns +of the animal itself, until there was not a space left for another to +stand 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 they +flapped hurriedly away; and as the broken tree bent downwards, the body +of the big-horn was precipitated to the earth, and fell upon the rocks +below! + +There was a great commotion among the assembled birds; and the sound of +their broad wings, hurriedly beating the air, could have been heard for +miles off; but their fright was soon over, and they all settled down +again near the carrion. + +The accident was in their favour rather than otherwise. The already +decomposing body, by falling from such a vast height upon the sharp +rocks, was mangled, and the skin burst open! This the foul birds were +not slow in perceiving; and first one, and then another, flapped towards +it, and commenced their horrid meal. In a few moments they were +crowding over the body, hissing like geese, striking at each other with +wings, beak, and claws, and altogether exhibiting such a scene of +ravenous hunger and angry passion as would be difficult to portray. +They soon got in among the entrails of the animal, and commenced +dragging them forth. Sometimes two of them would seize a long string of +these, and each swallowing from opposite ends, would meet each other in +the middle of the piece. Then would be witnessed a singular scene, as +the birds dragged one another over the ground, each trying to make the +other disgorge his filthy morsel! The young hunters, amused by these +curious episodes, agreed to remain and watch them for awhile; and with +this intent they dismounted from their horses, so as to relieve the +animals 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 in +the 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. They +raised their eyes in that direction. There, sure enough, was a _white +bird_; but of what species neither of them could make out. It was +flying at a vast elevation--higher, apparently, than any of the +buzzards; but even at that great height it appeared larger than any of +them. Like them, it seemed to sail about with great ease, as if the sky +was its natural home. + +When first observed, it appeared about as large as a gull; and the boys +might have taken it for one--not knowing any other _white_ bird likely +to be flying about at such a height--but as there were several buzzards +near it, and evidently _below_ it, and as these looked no bigger than +swallows, 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 calculated +Lucien, and his calculation was not far from the truth. + +The strange bird then could be no gull. What was it? A swan? No. Its +mode of flight answered that question at once. It bore no resemblance +whatever to the short rapid flapping of the swan, nor to the flight of +any water-bird. Was it a pelican? or perhaps a white ibis (_Tantalus +alba_)? or the white egret heron (_Ardea egretta_)? No; it was none of +these. The slow laborious flight of these great wading birds would have +been at once recognised by any of the boys, who were accustomed to see +them often hovering over the bayous of Louisiana. But this bird flew +differently from any of these. It used its wings more after the manner +of the buzzards themselves or the black vultures; but as the boys could +think of no _white_ bird of similar flight, they were puzzled as to what +it might be. Its size and mode of flying would have led them to believe +it was an eagle; but its colour forbade this supposition. There were no +white eagles, that ever they had heard of. + +I have said that, when first seen by Francois, the strange bird appeared +about the size of a gull; but as the young hunters stood gazing up at +it, they saw that it was gradually becoming larger and larger. They +knew from this that it was descending towards the earth, and, to all +appearance, directly over the spot occupied by themselves and the +vultures. As they had all three grown very curious to know what sort of +a creature it might be, they were expressing their hopes that it would +continue its descent. They knew that _it_ must have seen _them_ +already; and it would, therefore, be useless for them to attempt +concealing themselves. In fact, there was no cover for them, had they +wished to do so. + +As they stood watching and waiting, an exclamation, uttered by all three +at 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, was +making downward, in the track of the former, and appeared to be of the +same species. This soon became evident; for the one last seen, +descending more vertically, soon overtook the other; and both together +continued 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 the +day was one of the brightest, the boys had an opportunity of beholding +two of the most beautiful birds they had ever seen. They were not +entirely white--although, in looking at them from below, they appeared +so; but as, in sailing round the circle, they sometimes held themselves +sideways 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 rich +cream colour, while their wings above--both plumes and coverts--were of +a glossy brown. Their tails were tipped with black; but the whole of +the under part of their bodies was of a pure milk-like white. But the +most singular appearance about these birds was presented on their heads +and necks. These were entirely naked of feathers as far down as the +shoulders--where the neck was encircled by a large ruff that looked like +a tippet--and the naked skin of both head and neck exhibited the most +brilliant colours of orange and red. These colours were not mixed nor +mottled together; but each belonged to separate parts of the membrane, +forming distinct and regular figures--according to the manner in which +the cartilaginous covering is itself most singularly divided. Their +beaks were orange-red; and over their bases grew crest-like +protuberances, like the comb of a cock. Their eyes had dark pupils and +white irides, encircled by rings of a deep red colour; and, in short, +the whole appearance of these beautiful creatures was such that, like +the peacock, when once seen, they could never be forgotten. + +"I have never seen one of them before," remarked Lucien, "but I have no +difficulty 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 presence +of the party, swooped suddenly down towards the carrion. The boys +followed them with their eyes--curious to witness what effect their +arrival would have upon the buzzards and black vultures. To the +surprise of all, not one of the latter was now to be seen near the +carcass! While the attention of the party had been directed to the +king-vultures, the others had been regarding them as well; and, knowing +from experience what these great birds were, both buzzards and black +vultures had scattered precipitately, and now sat upon the rocks at a +respectful distance! + +The king-vultures, without seeming to heed their presence, hopped up to +the carrion, and commenced tearing it with their beaks. In a few +minutes these creatures, that had appeared so clean and beautiful--for +the king-vultures are as proud of their plumage as peacocks, and usually +keep it in the best order--exhibited a picture of filth that was +disgusting to look upon. The brilliant hue of their heads and necks was +changed into a dark blood colour; and their white breasts became dappled +with gore. Their vulturous appetites rendered them regardless of all +else. + +"Shall we fire, and kill one?" asked Francois. + +"No," said Lucien, "it is not right to deprive the poor creatures of +life. If you wish to get a nearer view of them, have patience, and your +wish may be gratified without the expenditure of powder and lead." + +What Lucien said proved correct. At the end of half an hour or so, the +birds appeared to have eaten as much as they could get into their +stomachs; and commenced stalking over the ground with a heavy sluggish +gait. The boys, who had waited patiently, now ran forward; and, finding +that the vultures were unable to rise into the air, after a chase--in +which Marengo took a prominent part--secured them both. + +But they did not hold them long; for the moment that Francois, who was +the most eager to seize them, laid his hands upon one, he let it go +again 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 of +the 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 without +a second encounter. + +As they returned to their horses, they observed that the buzzards and +black vultures were once more collecting about the remains of the +big-horn. They had been joined by several prairie-wolves; and these +were snarling and snapping--now driving off the birds, and now receiving +a blow from the long wings of the latter, that caused them to growl more +fiercely than ever. Our adventurers did not wait for the _finale_ of +this hideous scene; but remounting, once more headed their horses to the +prairie. + + + +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 the +appearance of a species new to them--the king himself. + +"With regard to the vultures," observed Lucien, "the study of their +natural history has been considerably impeded by the closet-naturalists, +and particularly by the Frenchmen--who are fonder than all others of +making a parade of science, by the absurd multiplication of genera and +species. This, in the absence of any real knowledge of the habits of +the animals, gives them an opportunity of adding something to what has +been already said; and leaves the reader under the impression that these +learned anatomists know all about the thing; and that is what such +gentlemen desire, and nothing more. + +"There are not over two dozen species of vultures in the world; and yet +the French naturalists make almost as many genera of them, multiplying +high-sounding names to such an extent, that the mind of the student is +quite bewildered with what would otherwise prove a most simple study. + +"All the vultures are so similar in their _physiognomy_ and habits, that +they might be treated as one genus. Indeed, it would not lead to great +confusion in ornithological science, if they were generically classed +with the eagles--as both kinds have many points of similitude. The +vultures often kill their prey as eagles do; and it is certain that they +do _not_ prefer it in a putrid state. The eagles do not always kill +their prey, and many of them eat carrion. Some of the vultures--such as +the lammergeyer--have almost all the habits of the eagle. The +lammergeyer always kills what he eats, unless when pressed by hunger; +and there is a singular fact in relation to the food of this bird,--he +prefers certain parts of the bones of animals to their flesh!" + +It is somewhat strange that the boy hunter, Lucien, should have known +this "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 the +superb collection in Regent's Park--who had observed this propensity for +bone-eating in a young African lammergeyer. He had observed also that +the bird was always healthier, and in better spirits, on the days when +he was indulged in his favourite osseous diet. These men usually know +more of natural history than the catalogue-makers and teeth-measurers of +the museum and the closet. + +"Perhaps," continued Lucien, "one of the most essential points of +difference between the vulture and eagle lies in the claws. The claws +of the vultures are less developed, and their limbs want the muscular +power that those of eagles possess. Hence the former are less able to +kill a living animal, or tear the carcass of a dead one. They are +unable, also, to raise a large prey in their claws; and the stories of +vultures carrying off deer, and full-grown sheep, are mere fables. Even +the condor--the largest of the species known--cannot lift into the air a +weight of more than ten pounds. A deer of that weight would be rather a +small one, I fancy. Most of the wonderful stories about the condor were +propagated by the discoverers and conquerors of Spanish America; who, if +they were great conquerors, were also the greatest braggarts the world +ever saw. The books they have left behind them fully prove my +assertion; and I believe that their accounts of the Mexican and Peruvian +nations, whom they subdued, are not a whit less exaggerated than their +stories about the condor. Three centuries could not have so completely +swept away the vestiges of such a civilisation as they describe--leaving +scarcely a trace of it to attest the truth of their assertions. It is +true, that in these countries are to be found monuments of a high state +of civilisation; but these were in ruins long previous to the discovery +of the Spaniards; and the feeble races who submitted so easily to the +latter, knew no more about the builders of these monuments than we do. +The same vestiges of a civilised people are found in the deserts of +North America; and yet the Spanish writers can tell nothing of them, +farther than that they existed at the period of the discovery just as +they 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 have +already hinted, was a great boy for birds. + +"There are five species well-known," replied Lucien; "and these are so +different from each other that there is no difficulty in distinguishing +them. These species form two genera--_Sarco ramphus_ and _Cathartes_. +The _Sarcoramphs_ have a fleshy protuberance over the beak--hence the +generic 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 food +again, not only when feeding their young, but also when providing for +one another during the period of incubation. + +"The condor is a true _Sarcoramph_--in fact, one of the most marked +features of this bird is the fleshy cartilaginous crest that surmounts +his head and part of his beak. This, however, is only found upon the +males, as the female birds are not crested in a similar manner. The +condor, when in full plumage, might be called a black-and-white bird. +His body underneath, his tail, shoulders, and the butts as well as the +outer margins of his wings, are all of a dark, nearly black, colour; but +his wings, when closed, give him a large space of greyish white from the +back to the tail. The downy ruff around the breast and neck is +milk-white, and the naked wrinkled skin of the neck and head is of a +blackish red or claret colour, while the legs are ashy blue. It is only +when full-grown--nearly three years old--that the condor obtains these +colours; and up to that time he is without the white collar around his +neck. The young birds, for many months after they are hatched, have no +feathers, but a soft thick down, like young goslings or cygnets; and +even at two years of age their colour is not black and white, but a +dirty, brownish black. + +"The full-grown condor usually measures about eight feet from tip to tip +of his wings; but there can be no question that specimens exist, and +have been seen by truthful travellers, that measured fourteen feet and +some inches! + +"The condor, like other vultures, feeds principally upon carrion; but, +when pressed with hunger, he will kill sheep, lambs, vicunas, young +lamas, deer, and other animals. The larger kinds he can master, by +attacking their eyes with his powerful beak--which is his principal +weapon. That he can kill boys of sixteen years old, as Garcilaso de la +Vega asserts, is, like many other statements of that celebrated author, +simply untrue; but that he frequently attacks, and, according to the +Indians, sometimes _puts to death_ little children, is probable enough. +If he can kill full-grown sheep or vicunas, there is nothing remarkable +about 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 in +a state of captivity has been known to eat eighteen pounds of flesh in a +single 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 by +Acosta, Desmarchais, and other French and Spanish writers, is altogether +fabulous. + +"The condor, unlike the vultures of most countries, is not under the +protection of the law. His destructive habits among the lambs, and +young lamas and alpacas, render him an object to be persecuted rather +than protected. He is, therefore, either killed or captured, whenever +an opportunity offers. There can be but little use made either of his +flesh or his feathers; but as he is an object of curiosity, he is often +kept as a pet about the houses of the Chilians and Peruvians. Live ones +are frequently to be seen in the markets of Valparaiso, and other South +American 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 it +alights; but it is very difficult to kill them in this way, on account +of their strong thick feathers, as well as the tenacity of life which +they possess: it can only be done when the shot takes effect in a vital +part. This method, therefore, is not much practised. A second plan is, +to wait until the condor has gorged himself to repletion, when, like +most other vultures, he is unable to fly for some time after. The +hunters then gallop up, and lasso him from their horses; or impede his +flight by flinging the `bolas' around his legs. The `bolas' are thongs +of leather, with leaden balls at each end; and these, when adroitly +thrown, twine themselves round the shanks of the condor, and prevent his +escape. A third mode is still a surer one. The hunters build a large +penn, in which they place a quantity of carrion. The palisades that +inclose this penn are made so high, that, when the bird has gorged +himself, he is unable either to rise into the air or get out of the +enclosure in any way; and he is then overtaken and captured, or beaten +to death with clubs. + +"The Indians kill the condor by stones, projected from slings to a great +distance--a species of weapon which these people use with much +dexterity. + +"Condors are taken alive in traps and snares; but there is an excellent +and somewhat curious method of capturing them alive, sometimes employed +by the Indians of the Sierras. It is this:--The hunter provides himself +with 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 to +some open place, where the condors, wheeling high in the air above, may +readily see him. Having chosen a spot, he crouches down upon the +ground, and draws the skin over him, with the fleshy side turned upward. +In this situation he remains; but not long, until some one of the +condors, with his far-piercing glance, espies the ensanguined object, +and comes swooping downward. The bird, having no suspicion, hops boldly +upon the hide; and commences tearing at the piece of flesh. The hunter, +underneath, now cautiously feels for one of its legs; and having assured +himself of this, grasps it firmly, folding the foot of the bird in the +soft loose flaps of the hide. Having already provided himself with a +long rope, he adroitly nooses it around the ankle; and, taking the other +end in his hand, he now appears from under the skin, and shows himself +to his astonished captive. Of course, during the operation of +`tethering,' the condor flaps and struggles with all his might; and were +it not for the hide which protects the hunter, the latter would be very +apt to come off with the loss of an eye, or be otherwise dreadfully torn +by the powerful beak of the bird. When the hunter has fairly secured +his prize, he passes a leathern thong through its nostrils, and knotting +it firmly, leads the condor off in triumph. In this same manner the +bird is kept chained, so long as he is wanted. With the string through +his nostrils, and fastened by the other end to a picket-pin in the +ground, the captive can walk about freely within the area of a circle. +Sometimes forgetting that he is chained, he attempts to fly off; but, on +reaching the end of his string, the sudden jerk brings him to the ground +again; and he invariably falls upon his head!" + +"But how is it," inquired Francois, "since the condors are hunted in +this way, and so easily captured, that they are not long since +exterminated? They are so large, that any one can see them at a great +distance; and they can be easily approached, I believe; yet there are +still great flocks of them--are there not?" + +"You are quite right," answered Lucien; "they are still numerous, both +in the Andes of Chili and Peru. I think I can explain this. It is +because they have a safe place, not only to breed but to retire to, +whenever they feel inclined. Numerous peaks of the Andes, where these +birds dwell, shoot up far above the line of perpetual snow. Away up on +these summits the condor breeds, among naked rocks where there is no +vegetation. No one ever thinks of ascending them; and, indeed, many of +these summits are inaccessible to the human foot. Not even animals of +any species are found there, nor birds--except the condor himself. He +is the sole lord of that region. Therefore, unlike most other +creatures, these birds have a retreat where no enemy can come near them, +and where they may bring forth their young, and rear them in perfect +security. Still more, they can go to rest at night without fear of +being disturbed, unless by the crash of the falling avalanche, or the +roar of the loud thunder that often reverberates through these Alpine +regions. But the condor is not in the least afraid of these noises; and +he heeds them not, but sleeps securely, even while the red lightning is +playing 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 to +in time of danger, will not easily be extirpated. It is because their +places of breeding and retreat are accessible--not only to man but to +hosts of other enemies--that such creatures as eagles and the like are +so scarce. Not so with the condor. His race can never become extinct +so long as the Andes exist; and that is likely to be for a good long +period, I fancy." + +"What sort of nests do they build?" inquired Francois. + +"They do not build nests," replied Lucien, "they choose a cavity in the +rocks, or in the soil around them, where they lay two large white oval +eggs, and hatch them just as other vultures do. Strange to say, very +little is known of their mode of life in their elevated haunts; but this +is because the natives of the Sierras rarely venture up to the high +regions where the condors dwell. All they know of them is what they +see, when these great birds descend upon the plateaux, or inhabited +mountain-valleys, in search of food--which they do only in the mornings +and evenings. During mid-day the condor usually perches upon some high +rock, and there goes to sleep. When pressed by hunger, they sometimes +extend their range down to the hot coast lands of the Pacific Ocean; but +they are evidently birds that can bear cold much better than heat. + +"The _King-vulture_," continued Lucien, "is the next species that claims +our attention. He is also a Sarcoramph (_Sarcoramphus Papa_), and the +only one of that genus besides the condor. He is unlike the condor in +many respects. He is not much of a mountain bird, but prefers the low +savannas and open plains. He prefers heat to cold, and he is rarely met +with outside the tropics, although he makes occasional visits to the +peninsula of Florida and the northern plains of Mexico; but in these +places he is only a rare and migratory bird. He feeds principally upon +carrion, and dead fish that have been left by the drying-up of ponds and +lakes; but he will also kill and eat serpents, lizards, and small +mammiferous animals. Bartram states that in Florida he only appears +after the savannas have been on fire, when he is seen to pass over the +ground amidst the black ashes, hunting for and devouring the snakes and +lizards that have been killed by the fire. Bartram, therefore, infers +that his food must consist altogether of _roasted_ reptiles; but as it +would be sometimes difficult for him to procure a supply of these +ready-cooked, I think we may safely conclude that he does not object to +eating them _raw_. The fanciful ideas of these old naturalists are +sometimes very amusing from their very absurdity. + +"The king-vultures live in pairs as eagles do--though they are often +seen in flocks, when a carcass or some other object has brought them +together. + +"This bird has been called the `painted' vulture on account of the +brilliant colours upon his head and neck, which do, in fact, present the +appearance of the most vivid painting. He derives his name of a +`King-vulture,' not from the possession of any noble qualities, but from +the manner in which he tyrannises over the _common_ vultures (_aura_ and +_atratus_), keeping them from their food until he has gorged himself +with 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 of +the north.' He is classed among the purging-vultures (_Cathartes +Californianus_). This bird may be called black, as he is nearly of that +hue all over the body; although some of the secondary wing feathers are +white at the tips, and the coverts are brown. Black, however, is the +prevailing colour of the bird. His naked head and neck is reddish; but +he wants the crest or comb, which the condors and king-vultures have. +On the posterior part of his neck, long lance-shaped feathers form a +sort of ruff or collar, as in other birds of this kind. + +"The Californian vulture derives his name from the country which he +inhabits--the great chain of the Californian mountains--the Sierra +Nevada--which extends almost without interruption through twenty degrees +of latitude. That he sometimes visits the Rocky Mountains, and their +kindred the Cordilleras of the Sierra Madre in Mexico, there can be +little doubt. A large bird occasionally seen among these mountains, and +pronounced to be the condor, is far more likely to have been the +Californian vulture. As far as size is concerned, this mistake might +easily be made, for the latter bird is nearly, if not quite, as large as +the former. A specimen of the Californian vulture has been measured, +which proved to be four feet eight inches in length, and nine feet eight +inches between the tips of the wings! Now, this is actually larger than +the average size of the condors; and it is not improbable, therefore, +that individuals of the Californian species may yet be found quite equal +to the largest of the South American birds. + +"The Californian vulture has been seen as far north as the thirty-ninth +parallel of latitude. He is common in some parts of Oregon, where he +makes his nest in the tops of the tallest trees, constructing it of +coarse thorny twigs and brambles, somewhat after the manner of eagles. +As many of the great spruce and pine-trees of Oregon and California are +three hundred feet in height, and twenty feet thick at the base, this +vulture is almost as secure among their tops as the condor on his +mountain summit; but to render himself doubly safe, he always selects +such trees as overhang inaccessible cliffs or rapid rivers. The female +lays only two eggs, which are nearly jet-black, and as large as those of +a goose; and the young, like those of the condor, are for many weeks +covered with down instead of feathers. Like other vultures, the food of +this species is carrion or dead fish; but he will follow after wounded +deer and other animals, and commence devouring them as soon as they have +dropped; 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 nothing +but a well-cleaned skeleton! While eating, they are strong enough and +bold enough to keep at a distance wolves, dogs, and all such animals as +may 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 to +approach within shot; and even then, his thick heavy plumage renders him +most difficult to be killed. His wings are full and long, and his +flight is most graceful and easy, not unlike that of his congener the +turkey-buzzard. + +"I have said," continued Lucien, "that naturalists make out five species +of American vultures. The remaining two, the turkey-buzzard and black +vulture, or, as he is sometimes called, the `carrion-crow,' we have +already had before us; but, I believe, there are more than five species +on 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 South +America is the same as the turkey-buzzard of the north. He is, more +probably, a distinct species of _cathartes_; for, although he resembles +the turkey-buzzard in shape and size, his plumage appears to me of a +purer black, and the skin of his head, neck, and legs, of a much more +vivid red--having an appearance as if these parts had been painted. I +think naturalists will yet discover, that besides the great Californian +vulture, 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 the +trail. It led directly towards the north, and they had no difficulty in +following it, as the prairie, for a tract of miles in width, was cut up +by the hoofs of the animals; and, in some parts, where the ground was +softer and more loamy, the surface presented the appearance of having +been turned up by the plough! At other places the hard green turf had +resisted the hoof, but even there the grass was so beaten down, that the +trail was a perfectly plain one. Without troubling themselves about the +direction, therefore, the little party rode briskly forward, full of +hope that they would soon overtake the buffaloes. But their hopes were +not so soon to be realised. These animals had gone upon their annual +migration to the north; and as they were keeping almost continually upon +the run--scarcely stopping to rest or pasture themselves--it would be no +easy matter to come up with them. At night our travellers were obliged +to 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 had +passed over, not a blade of grass was left standing. + +But another want now began to be felt by the party--one that filled them +with serious apprehensions. At the end of the second day their stock of +dried bear's meat gave out--not an ounce of it was left--and they lay +down upon the prairie supperless and hungry. What rendered the prospect +still more disheartening, they were passing through a region entirely +destitute of game--where no animal is ever seen except the buffaloes +themselves, an occasional antelope, or the ever-present prairie-wolf. +It was a region essentially _desert_ in its character; although the dry +plains were covered with a sward of the famous "buffalo-grass" +(_Sesleria dactyloides_), which forms the favourite pasture of these +wild cattle. As for the antelopes, they love these desert solitudes; as +their free open range affords them an opportunity, from their superior +fleetness, of escaping from every enemy. But in these parts they are +more than usually shy; and although several of them were seen on the +way, our hunters vainly endeavoured to approach within shooting distance +of them. Wolves they could have shot; but they were not as yet prepared +to satisfy their hunger upon the flesh of these filthy, fox-like, +creatures. That large troops of wolves had gone forward, hanging after +the great herd, was evident. Every now and then our hunters saw proof +of this, in the clean-picked skeletons of buffaloes that lay along the +path. These they knew were such as had got disabled and separated from +the drove; for numerous accidents of this kind--owing to the bulls +goring one another, or being enfeebled by age and disease--take place +during the migration of the vast herds. Were it not so, the wolves +would never think of following them as they do; for a buffalo in good +health can scatter a whole pack of these cowardly, skulking jackals. +But the average accidents which occur when such numbers of buffaloes are +together--the prospect of old ones, weak and weary, being separated from +their companions--of numbers getting mired upon the banks of some muddy +river, or drowned in crossing it--of cows heavy with calf falling +behind, or with calves already on the hoof, loitering for the purpose of +suckling them--the prospect of these chances, combined with the still +more enticing hope that the buffaloes will be attacked by a party of +Indian hunters, often carries a pack of wolves for hundreds of miles +across the prairie on the heels of a great herd. In fact, some of these +wolves, both of the white and prairie species, seem to have no fixed +place 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, our +travellers went to sleep supperless. On the third day, they began to +feel the cravings of hunger in good earnest. Neither beast nor bird +appeared in sight upon the wild desert plains that stretched inimitably +around them. About noon, as they were riding through a thicket of the +wild sage (_Artemisia tridentata_), a brace of those singular birds, +sage-cocks or prairie-grouse (_Tetrao urophasianus_), the largest of all +the grouse family, whirred up before the heads of their horses. +Francois, with his ever-ready gun, fired at them, but they were too +distant for the shot; and the next moment both disappeared over the +swells of the prairie. The sight only tantalised the unsuccessful +hunters, and added to the hungry craving of appetites already sharp +almost beyond endurance. They felt that there was no chance of getting +anything to eat, before they should come up with the buffaloes. That +was their only hope; and they spurred their horses afresh, and rode on +as fast as the animals could travel. + +Towards night their hunger had increased to a painful degree; and the +eyes of all wandered occasionally upon Jeanette and the dog Marengo. +They began to contemplate the necessity of sacrificing one or other of +these animals. It would be a sad alternative--as both the mule and the +dog were looked upon more in the light of companions than slaves. Both +had done good service during the expedition. But for Marengo, Francois +might never have been found; and Jeanette, in addition to having +satisfactorily accomplished the duty assigned to her, had saved them +from an encounter with one of the cougars. But all these services must +now be forgotten, when starvation was the alternative; and our +adventurers began to talk seriously about which of these two faithful +servants should be made the first victim. Neither was fat. Jeanette +had never been so in all her life--at least so long as her present +owners had been acquainted with her--and Marengo had grown gaunt and +bony upon this lengthened expedition. Jeanette could not be otherwise +than tough, and Marengo looked anything but tender. So far as that was +concerned, it might be a toss-up which of them was first "put to the +knife." + +But other considerations had their weight with the boys. Basil disliked +parting with his hound, that for many years had been a great favourite, +and the dog was endeared to all from late circumstances. His conduct at +the time when Francois was lost--his usefulness as a sentinel at many a +lonely camp-fire--and his valuable services rendered upon other +occasions, had fixed him firmly in the affections of his young masters; +and they would have endured hunger to the utmost extremity rather than +sacrifice 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 useful +animal, and would not have kicked any one of them, although she would +have kicked all the world besides. Still the feeling with which +Jeanette was regarded was more a feeling of gratitude than of love. It +was far different from the sentiment held towards Marengo. + +With these considerations passing through the minds of our hungry +hunters, it is easy to guess the result of their deliberations. The +sentence was at length pronounced--a unanimous one--_Jeanette must die_! + +Poor old Jeanette! She little knew what they were talking about. She +little thought that her days were about being numbered--that the time +was nigh when she should carry a pack no more. She little expected that +she 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 ribs +be roasting and sputtering over a camp-fire! + +Yes, it was decreed that Jeanette should die! but when and where this +terrible tragedy was to take place, was not yet determined upon. At +their first halting-place, of course; but where was that to be? for, +after having resolved upon the death of Jeanette, they travelled on for +miles without arriving at any place where it would be possible to halt +for the night! No water appeared, and without water they could not with +safety encamp. Early in the afternoon they had entered upon a strange +tract, over which the road of the buffaloes led them. It was a part of +the prairie--a series of low hills composed of pure gypsum. These +extended around them, as far as our travellers could see, presenting on +all sides a picture of alabaster whiteness. Neither plant, nor tree, +nor any sign of vegetable life relieved the monotonous uniformity of the +landscape. Turn to what side they might, their eyes were met by the +lime-like surface of hill and dale, dazzling the sight with its milky +whiteness. The sun, reflected upward, pierced their bodies, and parched +them with thirst. They breathed a hot atmosphere filled with gypsum +dust, that by the trampling of the buffalo herd had been reduced to an +impalpable powder, and floated about suspended in the air. This added +to the agony of their thirst; and it was difficult for them to tell +whether they suffered most from the want of food, or the want of water! + +How far might this singular tract extend? They could form no conjecture +as to the distance. Lucien had heard that such formations sometimes +stretched 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 to +come up with the buffalo, they had rested but very little during the +previous days. They began to labour under serious apprehensions. The +appetite of thirst became stronger than that of hunger--its cravings +more difficult to be endured. + +Guided by the buffalo-tracks, they rode gloomily on, in the midst of a +white cloud that enveloped them throughout all that fearful journey. +They had no difficulty in following the trail. The heavy dust showed +where the drove had passed; and every here and there great circular +hollows showed where the buffaloes had "wallowed." The hope that these +animals, guided by their usual instincts, had gone in the direction of +water, to some degree sustained our travellers in their onward struggle. + +The shades of evening were closing over the earth, and the alabaster +hills were assuming an ashy blue colour, when the little cavalcade +emerged from the dusty ravines of gypsum, and once more trod the green +prairie. The country before them was still rolling, but they kept on +along the well marked trail--their animals stepping more freely, as if +inspired with new hope at the change which had taken place upon the +surface. There was something in the appearance of the landscape ahead +that 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 which +ran the buffalo-trail, a small rivulet was espied in the glen below. At +the 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, and +up to their knees in the water. + +It was fortunate for them that it proved a freshwater stream. Had it +been a salt one--and such are very common in the neighbourhood of these +gypsum formations--they could never have gone farther. They would all +have perished upon its banks. + +But it was fresh water--cool and fresh--and our travellers first drank +of it, and then bathed themselves in its flood, until they had washed +their bodies free from the annoying gypsum dust. After this they set +about making some arrangements for their night bivouac. + +The copious draughts of water, which all of them had taken, in some +measure relieved them from the painful sensations of hunger they had +experienced; and they began to consider whether they might not be able +to give Jeanette a respite--at least until the morning. While +deliberating upon this, they noticed that Marengo had strayed away from +them. They looked around, wondering what had become of him, or where he +could have gone. They espied the hound at some distance up the stream, +and apparently engaged with some object upon the bank. They all ran +towards him. On arriving near the spot, they perceived that it was the +skeleton of a large buffalo with which the dog was engaged. The poor +brute, hungry as he was, could do but little else than lick it; for the +wolves had not left as much meat upon it as would have filled the +smallest of his teeth! Even the pieces of torn skin that lay around had +been chewed dry by these ravenous animals; and the bones appeared as +free from flesh as if they had been scraped by a knife. Had an +anatomist been ordered to prepare the skeleton for a museum, he could +not have cleaned it more effectually. + +It was not very cheering to contemplate this useless skeleton; and the +boys were about returning to their camping-place, when the idea occurred +to Lucien that the bones might, at least, yield a _soup_. He, of +course, communicated this idea to the others, and it was at once agreed +that they should boil them and try. It was quite a happy thought. No +doubt the bones, which were fresh, and not yet dry, would make an +excellent soup; and all three at once set about preparing to cook it. +Francois gathered sage-bushes to kindle a fire with, while Basil got +hold of Lucien's little hatchet, and set to work to separate the ribs +and joints of the skeleton. Lucien, seeing that there were several +kinds of plants growing on the margin of the rivulet, went down to +examine them--in hopes that he might find the wild onion or the +prairie-turnip among them, or perhaps some other root or vegetable that +might help to enrich their pottage. + +While all three were engaged in their separate duties, a loud +exclamation from Basil drew the attention of his brothers. It was a +shout of joy, followed by a wild laugh, like the laugh of a maniac! + +Francois and Lucien looked up in affright--thinking that something +disagreeable had happened--for they could not understand why Basil +should be laughing so loudly at such a time, and under such gloomy +circumstances. + +As they looked at him he still continued to laugh, waving the hatchet +around his head as if in triumph. + +"Come here, brothers!" shouted he; "come here! Ha! ha! ha! Here's a +supper for three hungry individuals! Ha! ha! ha! What shallow fellows +we are, to be sure! Why, we are as stupid as the donkey that preferred +eating the hay with the bread and butter beside him. Look here! and +here! and there! There's a supper for you. Ha! ha! ha!" + +Lucien and Francois had now arrived upon the ground; and seeing Basil +point 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 of +marrow_! + +"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 sleep +supperless, or the next thing to it--going to starve in the midst of +plenty! And we have been travelling among such treasures for three days +past! 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 you +how to cook a supper." + +There are eight marrow-bones in the buffalo, containing several pounds +of this substance. As Basil had heard from the old hunters, it is +esteemed the most delicious part of the animal; and is rarely left +behind when a buffalo has been killed. The best method of preparing it +is by simply _roasting it in the bone_; although the Indians and +trappers often eat it raw. The stomachs of our young hunters were not +strong enough for this; and a couple of the shank-bones were thrown into +the fire, and covered over with red cinders. + +In due time the marrow was supposed to be sufficiently _baked_; and the +bones having been cracked by Lucien's hatchet, yielded up their savoury +store--which all three ate with a great relish. A cup of cool water +washed it down; and around the camp-fire of the boy hunters thirst and +hunger 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 atmosphere +of hope. There was still enough of marrow in the remaining bones to +last them for two days at the least; for this marrow is a most +nourishing food. Moreover, by following the buffalo-trail, they would +be likely to fall in with other skeletons of these animals; and all +apprehensions on the score of food now vanished from their minds. +Another fact, which the skeleton of the buffalo revealed to them, added +to their joyful anticipations. They had observed on first going up to +it--that the _bones were still fresh_! The wolves had not been long +gone from it. It could not have been a long time killed. All this +showed, that the buffaloes themselves had but very recently passed over +the ground, and could not be far distant. These were cheering thoughts; +and for a while the young hunters sat around the sage-fire, revolving +them in their minds, and conversing upon them. Then, having offered +thanks to that Being who had so many times miraculously preserved them, +they rolled themselves in their blankets, and, notwithstanding a heavy +shower of rain that fell, once more found the solace of a good night's +sleep. + + + +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 grass +was good. Jeanette was frisking about on her trail-rope and +endeavouring to reach "Le Chat," whom she would have kicked and bitten +to a certainty, but that the lasso-tether restrained her. Jeanette +little dreamt how near she had been to her last kick. Had she known +that, it is probable she would have carried herself with more sobriety, +not knowing but that a similar necessity might occur again. But +Jeanette knew nothing of it; and, having eaten well and drunk +plentifully, she was as frisky as a kitten. + +A fire was kindled, and a fresh "marrow-bone" steamed and sputtered +among the blazing branches of the sage. This was soon drawn forth +again, cracked, and its rich contents rifled and eaten. The remaining +joints were packed upon Jeanette; the horses were saddled, the hunters +leaped into their seats, and rode joyfully off upon the trail. + +The country over which they now travelled was what is termed a "rolling +prairie"--that is, a country without trees, but nevertheless, far from +being level. The prairie is not always a _level plain_, as some people +imagine. On the contrary, it is often of very uneven surface, +containing high hills and deep valleys. The word "prairie" means +properly an open level country, though it is not necessary that it +should be a _dead horizontal_ level, to entitle it to the name. It may +contain hills, valleys, and long ridges. It is not necessary either +that it should be entirely destitute of trees; for there are the "timber +prairies," where trees grow in "mottes" or groves, sometimes termed +islands--from their resemblance to wooded islands in the sea. The +"prairie" is a term used to distinguish those vast meadow-like tracts of +the earth's surface from the forest, the mountain, and the ocean. The +prairies themselves are distinguished by specific names, according to +what covers their surface. We have seen that there are "timber +prairies" and "flower-prairies." The latter are usually denominated +"weed prairies" by the rude hunters who roam over them. The vast green +meadows covered with "buffalo" grass, or "gramma," or "mezquite" grass, +are termed "grass prairies." The tracts of salt efflorescence--often +fifty miles long and nearly as wide--are called "salt prairies;" and a +somewhat similar land, where soda covers the surface, are named "soda +prairies." 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 North +American continent. There are prairies of sand, and "rock prairies," +where the "cut-rock" and pebble deposits cover the arid plains; and +still another variety, called the "hog-wallow prairies," where the +surface for miles exhibits a rough appearance, as if it had been at some +remote period turned over or "rooted" by hogs. + +Most of these names have been given by the trappers--the true pioneers +of this wild region. Who have an equal right to bestow them? +Scientific men may explore it--topographical officers may travel over it +in safety with a troop at their heels--they may proclaim themselves the +discoverers 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 call +stupendous mountains and grand rivers by the names of Smith and Jones, +of Fremont and Stansbury; but men who think justly, and even the rude +but wronged trappers themselves, will laugh to scorn such _scientific +coxcombry_. + +I honour the names which the trappers have given to the features of that +far land; many of which, like the Indian nomenclature, are the +expressions of nature itself; and not a few of them have been baptised +by the blood of these brave pioneers. + +We have said that our adventurers now travelled upon a "rolling +prairie." The surface exhibited vast ridges with hollows between. Did +you 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 or +foam, and deep troughs between--when the tempest has ceased to howl and +the winds to blow, yet still so uneven remains the surface of the mighty +deep, still so dangerous are these smooth waves, that ships rock and +tumble about, and sometimes lose their masts, or are flung upon their +beam ends! That is what the sailors call a "swell." Now, if you could +imagine one of these billowy seas to be suddenly arrested in its motion, +and the water transformed to solid earth, and covered with a green +sward, you would have something not unlike a "rolling prairie." Some +think that, when these prairies were formed, some such rolling motion +actually existed, by means of an earthquake, and that all at once the +ground ceased its undulations, and stood still! It is an interesting +speculation 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 the +same direction. The route was northward; the path, therefore, which the +travellers pursued was a continued succession of ups and downs. + +Eagerly looking before them, anxiously scanning the valleys or troughs +of the prairie as they surmounted each new swell, they rode onward full +of hope that they would soon come in sight of the buffaloes. But they +were not prepared for the sight was so soon to greet their eyes--a sight +which one would have supposed would have filled them with joy, but +which, on the contrary, had the effect of inspiring them with a feeling +akin to terror. + +They had just climbed one of the ridges that gave them a view of the +valley 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--the +waters of which issuing forth ran nearly around the circumference of the +valley, and then escaped through one of the troughs of the prairie. The +course of this rivulet could be traced by the low trees--cotton-woods +and willows--that fringed its banks; so that the central part of the +valley presented the appearance of a small circular meadow almost +surrounded by a grove. + +It was in this meadow that a spectacle was offered to the eyes of our +adventurers, which caused them to rein suddenly up, and sit gazing down +upon it with singular emotions. The spectacle was that of a number of +animals 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 they +assailing one another, that the green turf around them was torn and +furrowed by their hoofs. It was in the middle of the meadow that this +indiscriminate contest was carried on--in the open ground--and a finer +spot for such an exhibition they could hardly have chosen, had they +wished to accommodate a large number of spectators. The valley itself, +with the ridges that encircled it, was not unlike one of the great +Spanish amphitheatres, where bull-fights are carried on; while the +smooth, level surface of the meadow represented the arena. The +combatants, however, were engaged in no mock encounter to gratify the +curiosity of an idle crowd; nor did they apprehend that there were +spectators present. + +The contest in which they were engaged was a _real_ fight; and their +angry roars, their hurried rushing backwards and forwards, and the loud +cracking of their skulls as they came together, proved them to be in +earnest. + +That the animals were buffaloes was apparent at first sight. Their +great bulk, the lion-like form of their bodies, but, above all, their +bellowing, that resembled the "routing" of enraged bulls, convinced our +young hunters that they could be no other than buffaloes--and buffaloes +they were--a "gang" of old buffalo bulls engaged in one of their +terrible tournaments. + +I have said that our hunters, on first seeing them, were influenced by +feelings of terror. But why so? What was there in the appearance of a +herd of buffaloes to frighten them, since that was the very thing they +had so long been in search of? Was it the angry attitudes of the +animals, or their loud roaring? Nothing of the sort? No. That was not +what had inspired them with fear, or, as I should rather term it, with +awe. No. The reason was very different indeed. It was not because +they 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 sight +of one not have produced _joy_ rather than _fear_? So the sight of +_one_ would; but it was the sight of _so many_--the mysterious spectacle +of 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 express +their astonishment. They sat in silence, gazing down into the valley. +They could hardly believe the evidence of their eyes. With the palms of +their hands they shaded them from the sun, and gazed still a longer +while. They saw, at length, there could be no deception. Buffaloes the +animals were, and _white ones_ too! + +They were not all of an uniform white, though most of them were. A few +were darker about the heads and legs, with broad white flakes upon their +sides, giving them a mottled appearance. The general colour, however, +was whitish; and, strange to say, there was not a black or brown one in +the 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 our +adventurers. + +The latter, however, soon got over their surprise. There could be no +doubt that they had fallen in with a herd of white buffaloes. Perhaps, +thought they, there is, after all, nothing so strange in such a number +of them being together. Perhaps the individuals of that colour, so +rarely met with, usually associate together in this way, and keep apart +from the black ones. What better fortune could have happened for them +then? If they could only succeed in killing one of these creatures, it +would be all that they could wish for, and all they wanted. The object +of their expedition would then be accomplished; and nothing would remain +but to turn their horses' heads, and take the shortest route homeward. +With these ideas passing through their minds, they at once set about +considering how they might kill or capture one or more of the herd. + +They were not slow to decide upon a plan. The buffaloes, still +continuing their angry conflict, had not noticed them as yet, nor were +they likely to do so. The hunters resolved, therefore, that two of them +should 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 a +sure shot before they should start off, taking his chance of joining in +the chase afterwards. The latter duty was assigned to Basil; who, after +dismounting from his horse, and looking to his trusty rifle, commenced +creeping down into the valley. Lucien and Francois--still in their +saddles--remained upon the ridge. + +Basil reached the grove of willows without being observed; and, stealing +silently through, found himself within less than fifty paces of several +of the herd. They were still rushing to and fro, raising the dust in +clouds, roaring furiously, parting from each other, and then meeting +head to head with such force that each time their skulls cracked as +though both had been broken by the terrible concussion. The hunter +waited 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 the +shot, or scenting the presence of an enemy, immediately left off their +contest; and, breaking through the willows, scrambled up the ridge +toward the open prairie. + +Without waiting to look after the one that he had fired at, Basil ran +toward 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 side +by side with the buffaloes; and then could be heard the cracking of guns +and pistols until the weapons of all were empty; but, although not a +shot 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 the +prairie, and running as briskly as ever! + +Seeing that there would be no chance to come up with them again, they +all turned their horses, and commenced riding back to make sure of the +one which Basil had knocked over by his first shot. He was still in the +valley they knew, and as they had all seen him lying prostrate, they +felt certain they had secured one at least, and that was all they +wanted. + +On reaching the ridge that overlooked the valley, what was their +surprise to see the buffalo once more upon his feet, and surrounded by a +score of snapping, snarling wolves! These were rushing upon him from +all sides at once; while the wounded bull was turning briskly about, and +endeavouring to keep them at bay with his horns. Some of the wolves +were seen stretched out on the ground--to all appearance dead--while +their companions kept up the attack with unrelenting fury. The eyes of +the buffalo flashed fire, as, wheeling round and round, he endeavoured +to keep his assailants in front of him. + +It was evident, however, that the wolves were gaining upon him; and, had +they been left to themselves, would soon have brought him down. Our +hunters at first thought of allowing them to accomplish this feat; when +all at once it occurred to them that, if they did so, the _skin might be +spoiled_! The wolves with their fierce teeth would tear it to pieces. +This thought decided them upon a different plan; and all three galloped +down the ridge and out into the meadow--surrounding the buffalo as they +came 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 great +difficulty that they could keep out of his reach; but at length another +well-directed shot from Basil's rifle entered the heart of the animal; +and, after balancing himself upon his spread limbs, and rocking awhile +from side to side, the huge creature fell forward upon his knees and lay +motionless, with a stream of blood pouring from his lips. In a few +moments he was dead! + +Having made sure of this, our hunters flung themselves from their +horses, drew their skinning-knives, and made up to the noble quarry. +You may fancy their astonishment as well as chagrin, when, upon getting +close to the animal, they discovered that what they had taken for a +white buffalo was no white buffalo after all, but a _black one painted +white_! Neither more nor less. The thing was too plain. The lime-like +coating which covered the huge animal all over was now apparent; and as +they passed their hands through the long hair, a white substance +resembling 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 hills +over which they had ridden on the preceding day. They remembered, too, +that it had rained in the night. The buffaloes had been among these +hills; and, according to their usual habit, had rolled and wallowed +about in the wetted dust-heaps. The white, alabaster-like mud had +adhered to their skins--thus giving them the colour which had so much +deceived 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 shall +have fresh meat for dinner; and with that let us console ourselves for +the disappointment." + +So saying, Basil made signs to his brothers to assist; and all three set +about 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 evening +in drying a portion of the meat over a fire. They had resolved to +encamp on the spot for the night, and follow up the trail in the +morning. They therefore busied themselves, until a late hour, in +preparing as much broiled buffalo-meat as would last them for several +days. + +It was near midnight before they thought of retiring to rest. As they +had done upon like occasions before, it was agreed that one should keep +watch--so as to keep off the wolves from the meat--while the other two +slept. + +Their camp was in the open ground, near the spot where the buffalo had +been skinned. At a little distance off their animals were browsing upon +the grass. The wolves were in great force--both prairie-wolves, and +those of the large grey species. The scent of the broiling meat had +attracted them from afar; and throughout the night they kept up a +continuous howling, trotting all over the meadow around the camp. + +Francois kept the first watch, and Lucien the second; Basil's turn came +next, 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 the +journey. They did not wish to lose a moment more than was necessary--as +they 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 felt +sleepy. He was, therefore, in no very friendly humour with the wolves-- +upon whose account he was thus compelled to keep awake. Every now and +then, as he saw them sneaking about in the darkness, he could not help +muttering an angry ejaculation; and he had made up his mind, as soon as +morning came, to empty his gun at one of the pack, by way of satisfying +his feelings. + +After a spell of watching, that lasted nearly three hours, he perceived +the first streaks of dawn in the east. + +"By the time we get breakfast cooked," thought Basil, "there will be +light enough to follow the trail; so I'll rouse Frank and Luce; and, by +way of a change, I'll give them a _reveille_ with my rifle. Let me pick +out the largest of these sneaking wolves; I'll put one of them at least +from keeping anybody awake hereafter, I guess." + +Basil, as he reflected thus, raised himself upon his knees, and looked +around to select a victim. Strange to say, the wolves, as if they had +guessed his intention, had scattered away from the neighbourhood of the +fire, though several could still be seen stealing along the edge of the +willows. Basil chose one of these which appeared in the dim light to be +a large grey one; and, levelling his piece, fired at it. As he was not +very anxious whether he killed the animal or not, he fired carelessly. + +Following the shot there was heard a loud scream, that was answered by +fifty others, from all sides of the valley. It awoke the sleeping +hunters; who, along with Basil, sprang to their feet. It was not the +scream of wolves they had heard, but a cry of far different import. It +was the yell of human voices--_the war-cry of Indians_! + +All three stood speechless with terror; but, even could they have +spoken, there was scarcely time allowed them to have uttered a word; +for, almost simultaneous with the yells, there was a rushing forward of +dark forms; and the next moment fifty tall savages were around them. +Basil, who had been farthest out from the fire, was knocked senseless by +a blow; while Lucien and Francois, who did not think of using their +guns, were seized by the brawny arms of the Indians and held fast. It +was fortunate for them that they did not make any resistance, else the +savages 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 was +one of their number that Basil had mistaken for a wolf, and the shot had +wounded the Indian, which, of course, exasperated them greatly. +Perceiving, however, the small force of the party, and that the boys +made no farther resistance, they gave up the idea of killing them on the +spot, but bound the arms of all three behind their backs; and then, +after having mounted them on their horses, and gathered up their guns +and blankets, led them out of the valley. At a short distance off, the +Indians reached a spot where their own horses were tied. Here they +halted for a moment--until each had got into his saddle--and then the +whole party, prisoners and all, set off at a brisk trot over the +prairie. + +In about an hour they arrived at a large encampment upon the bank of a +broad shallow river. There were nearly an hundred lodges standing upon +the plain; and the ground was littered with buffalo-horns and hides, +while vast quantities of the flesh of these animals were hanging from +poles in front of every lodge. There were fires, and camp-kettles, and +dogs, 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, the +prisoners were thrown upon the ground. Their captors left them; but +they were at once surrounded by a crowd of yelling squaws and children. +These at first regarded them only with curiosity; but as soon as they +heard that one of the Indians had been wounded, they uttered the most +hideous and piercing cries, and approached their captives with +threatening looks and gestures. They commenced their cowardly torture +by pulling the ears and hair of the boys, and sticking arrow-points into +their arms and shoulders; and then, by way of having a little fun, +several of the squaws seized hold of, and dragged the three prisoners +out into the middle of the stream. Here they ducked them, keeping their +heads for a long time under water, all the while yelling and laughing +like so many demons. The poor captives for a while believed that these +women were about to drown them, and, tied as they were, they could make +no effort to save themselves. This, however, was not the intention of +the squaws; they were only disposed to have as much fun out of them as +possible. After they had got tired of this amusement, they dragged the +boys 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 charm +about 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 tell +you how it was with him. + +At their capture Basil had been stunned by the blow of a tomahawk. He +had been knocked quite senseless; and although he recovered himself so +far as to be able to ride to the Indian camp, it was not until after the +ducking 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 carried +under the breast of his hunting-shirt. In fact, his brothers had been +reminding him of it every moment, anxiously entreating him to make use +of a secret of which neither of them fully understood the nature. But, +up to this time, Basil, bewildered by the blow, was scarcely conscious +of what he did. He had now recovered himself, and was making every +effort to get at the string, and draw the embroidered pouch from his +breast; 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 forward +and 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 spot +where they had been placed. + +Basil saw all this with a feeling of consternation; for, judging from +the cruel treatment to which they had been submitted, and from the +excited and exasperated manner of the Indians, he began to fear the +worst, and to doubt whether the charm he carried might, after all, avail +them. He used every effort to give it a trial. Failing to reach it, he +made signs to the squaws around him, nodding with his head, and casting +his eyes downward towards his breast. These, however, did not +understand his meaning; and only laughed at what appeared to them a +somewhat comic pantomime. + +During the continuance of this scene, the Indian men stood apart, +conversing together, and evidently deliberating what they should do with +their prisoners. The manner of some of them was angry and excited. +They talked loudly, and gesticulated with violence, occasionally +pointing to a spot of level ground in front of the camp. The captives +could see that among these loud talkers was the man whom Basil had +wounded, as he carried his arm in a bandage. He was an ill-favoured, +ferocious-looking savage; and the boys, although they knew not a word +that was uttered, could tell by his manner that he was speaking against +them. To their consternation, they at length saw that he and his party +had carried their point, and all the others appeared to acquiesce. What +could their decision have been? Were they going to murder them? +Agonised with these terrible apprehensions, the boys watched every +action 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 into +the open ground, and planted it firmly in the earth. O God! the horrid +truth now became clear. It was their intention to tie their prisoners +to the stake, and use them as a target for their arrows! The boys had +heard that this was a common custom among Indians with their captives; +and each of them uttered a cry of terror, as they recognised the fearful +preparations. + +They had but little time to shout to each other; and what they said was +drowned by the yells of the squaws and children, who leaped and danced +over the ground, evidently delighted with the prospect of the horrid +spectacle they were about to witness. + +Fortunately Basil was selected as the first victim. His superior size +and age, no doubt, obtained him that preference. He was rudely seized +by a pair of Indians and dragged up to the stake, where the savages +commenced stripping him--by way of making a better mark of his naked +body! + +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 red +clay-stone_--the celebrated steatite. As soon as the savage set his +eyes upon it, he uttered a strange exclamation, and handed it to his +companion. The latter took it into his hands, uttered a similar +ejaculation, and carrying it with him, ran back to the crowd. These, as +soon as it reached them, could be seen passing it from hand to hand, +each examining it minutely, and making some remark; but one Indian, more +than 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 stood +in front of him, and pointed to the pipe, as if waiting for an +explanation, the boy, his hands being now free, deliberately and with +coolness 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 other +Indians now pressed forward, and grasped him by the hand, while some ran +to 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 put +upon them, and as soon as it could be got ready, a feast was set before +them: so that their captors, who but the moment before were about to put +them one by one to a most cruel death, now seemed to strive with each +other which should honour them the most! The Indian, however, who had +shown so much interest at seeing the mysterious pipe-head, was allowed +to take precedence in waiting upon them; and it was into his tent that +our 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 you +in 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 most +remarkable of Indian statesmen. You may have heard, too, that during +the last war between England and the United States, Tecumseh, taking +advantage of the difference between these nations, endeavoured to excite +the Indians to a general rising, for the purpose of driving all white +men from the soil of America. Tecumseh had a brother, Elswatawa, better +known by the name of "the Prophet." This brother was to the full as +enthusiastic as the chief himself in the wish to carry out their great +design; and for this purpose he undertook a crusade to every tribe of +Indians in the western parts of America. He was a man of great talents +and eloquence, and was received with friendship wherever he went. The +cause which he advocated was dear to all Indians; and of course he was +listened to, and smoked the _calumet_ with the men of every tribe. Now +this very calumet, which had been used by the Prophet throughout all his +wanderings, was the identical one which Basil carried, and which, by its +strange carvings and hieroglyphics, was at once recognised by these +Indians, who were of the Osage tribe,--one of those which the Prophet +had visited. + +But you will ask, how this calumet came into the possession of Basil's +father, and why its possession insured such mysterious protection to our +adventurers. That I can also explain. Tecumseh was killed in the war +with the Americans; but the Prophet lived for many years afterwards. +Shortly after having emigrated to America, during one of his excursions +near Saint Louis, the Colonel--the father of our boy hunters--met with +this strange Indian; and, through some circumstances which happened, the +Frenchman and he became fast friends. Presents were exchanged between +them, 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 have +occasion to wander among the Indian tribes, it might prove useful to +him; and at the same time initiated him into certain signs which he was +to make use of in such time of need. In these signs the Colonel had +instructed Basil, and we have already witnessed their effect. The +Indian who had best understood them, and in whom they had produced the +strongest emotions, happened to be a Shawano himself--one of that very +tribe to which both the Prophet and Tecumseh belonged; and which is now +but a remnant--most of its warlike sons being either dead, or scattered +among the nomad bands that roam over the great western prairies. Such, +then, was the history of the red calumet, which had proved the protector +of our adventurous hunters. + +In a short time they were enabled to communicate with the Indians by +signs; for no people can understand such language better than Indians. +The boys informed the Shawano who they were, and for what purpose they +had ventured upon the prairies. On learning the nature of their +expedition, the Indians were filled with astonishment as well as +admiration for the courage of these young hunters. They told the +latter, in return, that they themselves were out hunting the buffaloes-- +that they were now on the skirts of the great herd, and they believed +that one or two _white_ buffaloes had been seen. Furthermore, they +added, that if the boys would remain, and hunt for a few days in company +with them, no pains should be spared to kill or capture one of these +animals, 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_; but +I fear, young reader, you are already tired of the prairies. Suffice +it, then, to say, that after some days spent in hunting with the +Indians, a _white buffalo_ was at length killed, his skin taken off in +the proper manner, and, after being saturated with a _preserving_ +ointment, which Lucien had brought along with him, was carefully packed +upon the back of the mule Jeanette. Our adventurers now bade farewell +to their Indian friends, and set out on their return homewards. They +were accompanied to the confines of Louisiana by the Shawano and several +other Indians, who there took leave of them. In due time they safely +reached the old house at Point Coupee; where I need not tell you they +met with a joyous and affectionate welcome, both from their father and +the _ex-chasseur_, Hugot. The old naturalist had gained what he wished +for, 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 a +winter's night by the cheerful log-fire, did he take pleasure in +listening to the story of their _adventures in search of a white +buffalo_. + +THE END. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Hunters, by Captain Mayne Reid + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY HUNTERS *** + +***** This file should be named 21236.txt or 21236.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/2/3/21236/ + +Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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