ul spectacle
with as much composure as if the conflagration had been lighted in order
to solve the difficulties of some scientific problem. Aroused by
the question of his companion, he turned to his equally calm though
differently occupied associate, the trapper, demanding, with the most
provoking insensibility to the urgent nature of their situation--

"Venerable hunter, you have often witnessed similar prismatic
experiments--"

He was rudely interrupted by Paul, who struck the tablets from his
hands, with a violence that betrayed the utter intellectual confusion
which had overset the equanimity of his mind. Before time was allowed
for remonstrance, the old man, who had continued during the whole scene
like one much at a loss how to proceed, though also like one who was
rather perplexed than alarmed, suddenly assumed a decided air, as if he
no longer doubted on the course it was most advisable to pursue.

"It is time to be doing," he said, interrupting the controversy that was
about to ensue between the naturalist and the bee-hunter; "it is time to
leave off books and moanings, and to be doing."

"You have come to your recollections too late, miserable old man," cried
Middleton; "the flames are within a quarter of a mile of us, and the
wind is bringing them down in this quarter with dreadful rapidity."

"Anan! the flames! I care but little for the flames. If I only knew how
to circumvent the cunning of the Tetons, as I know how to cheat the fire
of its prey, there would be nothing needed but thanks to the Lord for
our deliverance. Do you call this a fire? If you had seen what I have
witnessed in the Eastern hills, when mighty mountains were like the
furnace of smith, you would have known what it was to fear the flames,
and to be thankful that you were spared! Come, lads, come; 'tis time to
be doing now, and to cease talking; for yonder curling flame is truly
coming on like a trotting moose. Put hands upon this short and withered
grass where we stand, and lay bare the 'arth."

"Would you think to deprive the fire of its victims in this childish
manner?" exclaimed Middleton.

A faint but solemn smile passed over the features of the old man, as he
answered--

"Your grand'ther would have said, that when the enemy was nigh, a
soldier could do no better than to obey."

The captain felt the reproof, and instantly began to imitate the
industry of Paul, who was tearing the decayed herbage from the ground in
a sort of