horse to look after him, and turning my eyes afterwards in the direction
from whence it had started, I perceived, as I thought, on a small mound
of earth raised by an animal called a gopher, just the head of the doe,
her body concealed by the high grass. I had no arms, but it occurred to
me, that if I could contrive to crawl up very softly, the high grass
might conceal my approach, and I should be able to spring upon her and
secure her by main strength. `If I can manage this,' said I to myself,
`it will be something to talk about.' I tied my horse to a tree, and
commenced crawling very softly on my hands and knees towards the gopher
hill; I arrived close to it, and the doe had not started; I rose gently
with both hands ready for a grab, and prepared to spring, slowly raising
my head that I might get a sight of the animal. It appeared that the
animal was equally inquisitive, and wished to gain a sight of me, and it
slowly raised its head from the grass as I did mine. Imagine what was
my surprise and consternation, to find that, instead of a doe, I was
face to face with a large male panther. It was this brute which had so
scared the buck, and now equally scared me. There I was, at hardly one
yard's distance from him, without arms of any description, and almost in
the paws of the panther. I knew that my only chance was keeping my eyes
fixed steadfastly on his, and not moving hand or foot; the least motion
to retreat would have been his signal to spring: so there I was, as
white as a sheet, with my eyes fixed on him. Luckily he did not know
what was passing within me. For some seconds the animal met my gaze,
and I began to give myself up for lost. 'Tis time for you to go,
thought I, or I am gone: will you never go? At last, the animal
blinked, and then his eyes opened like balls of fire; I remained
fascinated as it were; he blinked again, turned his head a very little,
then turned round and went away at a light canter. Imagine the relief.
I hastened back to my horse, and away also went I at a light canter, and
with a lighter heart, grateful to Heaven for having preserved me."

VOLUME TWO, CHAPTER THIRTY.

The band of warriors attached to Monsieur Rainville have set up their
war-tent close to the factory, and have entertained us with a variety of
dances. Their dresses are very beautiful, and the people, who have been
accustomed to witness these exhibitions for years, say that they have
never seen any thing