y; then we may go back
double-handed into the settlements, and set up for showmen, around the
court-houses and gaols of Kentucky."

The threatening frown, which gathered on the brow of his father,
admonished the young man to forbear. Exchanging looks that were half
rebellious with his brethren, he saw fit to be silent. But instead of
observing the caution recommended by Abiram, they proceeded in a body,
until they again came to a halt within a few yards of the matted cover
of the thicket.

The scene had now, indeed, become wild and striking enough to have
produced a powerful effect on minds better prepared, than those of
the unnurtured family of the squatter, to resist the impressions of so
exciting a spectacle. The heavens were, as usual at the season, covered
with dark, driving clouds, beneath which interminable flocks of aquatic
birds were again on the wing, holding their toilsome and heavy way
towards the distant waters of the south. The wind had risen, and was
once more sweeping over the prairie in gusts, which it was often vain
to oppose; and then again the blasts would seem to mount into the upper
air, as if to sport with the drifting vapour, whirling and rolling vast
masses of the dusky and ragged volumes over each other, in a terrific
and yet grand disorder. Above the little brake, the flocks of birds
still held their flight, circling with heavy wings about the spot,
struggling at times against the torrent of wind, and then favoured by
their position and height, making bold swoops upon the thicket, away
from which, however, they never failed to sail, screaming in terror,
as if apprised, either by sight or instinct, that the hour of their
voracious dominion had not yet fully arrived.

Ishmael stood for many minutes, with his wife and children clustered
together, in an amazement, with which awe was singularly mingled, gazing
in death-like stillness on the sight. The voice of Esther at length
broke the charm, and reminded the spectators of the necessity of
resolving their doubts in some manner more worthy of their manhood, than
by dull and inactive observation.

"Call in the dogs!" she said; "call in the hounds, and put them into the
thicket; there ar' men enough of ye, if ye have not lost the spirit with
which I know ye were born, to tame the tempers of all the bears west of
the big river. Call in the dogs, I say, you Enoch! Abner! Gabriel! has
wonder made ye deaf?"

One of the young men complied; and havin