cle so unusual to see the human form amid the solitude in
which he dwelt, that the trapper bent his eyes on the dim figures of his
new acquaintances, with sensations to which he had long been a stranger.
Their presence awakened recollections and emotions, to which his sturdy
but honest nature had latterly paid but little homage, and his thoughts
began to wander over the varied scenes of a life of hardships, that had
been strangely blended with scenes of wild and peculiar enjoyment. The
train taken by his thoughts had, already, conducted him, in imagination,
far into an ideal world, when he was, once more suddenly, recalled to
the reality of his situation, by the movements of the faithful hound.

The dog, who, in submission to his years and infirmities, had manifested
such a decided propensity to sleep, now arose, and stalked from out the
shadow cast by the tall person of his master, and looked abroad into
the prairie, as if his instinct apprised him of the presence of still
another visitor. Then, seemingly content with his examination, he
returned to his comfortable post and disposed of his weary limbs,
with the deliberation and care of one who was no novice in the art of
self-preservation.

"What; again, Hector!" said the trapper in a soothing voice, which he
had the caution, however, to utter in an under tone; "what is it, dog?
tell it all to his master, pup; what is it?"

Hector answered with another growl, but was content to continue in his
lair. These were evidences of intelligence and distrust, to which one
as practised as the trapper could not turn an inattentive ear. He again
spoke to the dog, encouraging him to watchfulness, by a low guarded
whistle. The animal however, as if conscious of having, already,
discharged his duty, obstinately refused to raise his head from the
grass.

"A hint from such a friend is far better than man's advice!" muttered
the trapper, as he slowly moved towards the couple who were yet, too
earnestly and abstractedly, engaged in their own discourse, to notice
his approach; "and none but a conceited settler would hear it and
not respect it, as he ought. Children," he added, when nigh enough to
address his companions, "we are not alone in these dreary fields; there
are others stirring, and, therefore, to the shame of our kind, be it
said, danger is nigh."

"If one of the lazy sons of Skirting Ishmael is prowling out of his camp
to-night," said the young bee-hunter, with great vivaci