of that concern which
might so readily have been excited by the peculiarity of his risk, the
brow of the young warrior contracted to a look which indicated high and
deadly hostility.

"Do you greatly value life, friend Doctor?" demanded the old man, with a
sort of philosophical calmness, which made the question doubly appalling
to his companion.

"Not for itself," returned the naturalist, sipping some of the water
of the river from the hollow of his hand, in order to clear his husky
throat. "Not for itself, but exceedingly, inasmuch as natural history
has so deep a stake in my existence. Therefore--"

"Ay!" resumed the other, who mused too deeply to dissect the ideas
of the Doctor with his usual sagacity, "'tis in truth the history of
natur', and a base and craven feeling it is! Now is life as precious to
this young Pawnee, as to any governor in the States, and he might save
it, or at least stand some chance of saving it, by letting us go down
the stream; and yet you see he keeps his faith manfully, and like an
Indian warrior. For myself, I am old, and willing to take the fortune
that the Lord may see fit to give, nor do I conceit that you are of much
benefit to mankind; and it is a crying shame, if not a sin, that so fine
a youth as this should lose his scalp for two beings so worthless
as ourselves. I am therefore disposed, provided that it shall prove
agreeable to you, to tell the lad to make the best of his way, and to
leave us to the mercy of the Tetons."

"I repel the proposition, as repugnant to nature, and as treason to
science!" exclaimed the alarmed naturalist. "Our progress is miraculous;
and as this admirable invention moves with so wonderful a facility, a
few more minutes will serve to bring us to land."

The old man regarded him intently for an instant, and shaking his head
he said--

"Lord, what a thing is fear! it transforms the creatur's of the world
and the craft of man, making that which is ugly, seemly in our eyes, and
that which is beautiful, unsightly! Lord, Lord, what a thing is fear!"

A termination was, however, put to the discussion, by the increasing
interest of the chase. The horses of the Dahcotahs had, by this time,
gained the middle of the current, and their riders were already filling
the air with yells of triumph. At this moment Middleton and Paul who had
led the females to a little thicket, appeared again on the margin of the
stream, menacing their enemies with the rifle.

"Mo