he manner
in which his master exhibited his agitation, Asinus so far changed the
application of his own heels, as to raise them simultaneously with
a certain indignant flourish into the air, a measure that instantly
decided the controversy in his favour. Obed took leave of his seat, as
of a position no longer tenable, continuing, however, the direction
of his flight, while the ass, like a conqueror, took possession of the
field of battle, beginning to crop the dry herbage, as the fruits of
victory.

When Doctor Battius had recovered his feet, and rallied his faculties,
which were in a good deal of disorder from the hurried manner in which
he had abandoned his former situation, he returned in quest of his
specimens and of his ass. Asinus displayed enough of magnanimity to
render the interview amicable, and thenceforth the naturalist continued
the required route with very commendable industry, but with a much more
tempered discretion.

In the mean time, the old trapper had not lost sight of the important
movements that he had undertaken to control. Obed had not been
mistaken in supposing that he was already missed and sought, though
his imagination had corrupted certain savage cries into the well-known
sounds that composed his own latinized name. The truth was simply this.
The warriors of the rearguard had not failed to apprise those in front
of the mysterious character, with which it had pleased the trapper to
invest the unsuspecting naturalist. The same untutored admiration, which
on the receipt of this intelligence had driven those in the rear to the
front, now drove many of the front to the rear. The Doctor was of course
absent, and the outcry was no more than the wild yells, which were
raised in the first burst of savage disappointment.

But the authority of Mahtoree was prompt to aid the ingenuity of the
trapper, in suppressing these dangerous sounds. When order was restored,
and the former was made acquainted with the reason why his young men had
betrayed so strong a mark of indiscretion, the old man, who had taken
a post at his elbow, saw, with alarm, the gleam of keen distrust that
flashed in his swarthy visage.

"Where is your conjuror?" demanded the chief, turning suddenly to the
trapper, as if he meant to make him responsible for the re-appearance of
Obed.

"Can I tell my brother the number of the stars? The ways of a great
medicine are not like the ways of other men."

"Listen to me, grey-head, and co