d his father, reprovingly; at the same time
hobbling into the verandah, and calling for his spectacles.

The letter was soon opened, and perused.

"Hugot!" cried the Colonel, after he had finished reading it.

Hugot made no reply, but threw himself in front of his master, with his
hand raised to his eyebrows _a la militaire_.

"Hugot, you must go to Saint Louis."

"_Bien, mon Colonel_!"

"You must start by the first boat."

"_Tres-bien, mon Colonel_!"

"You must procure for me the skin of a _white buffalo_."

"That will not be difficult, monsieur."

"More difficult than you imagine, I fear."

"With money, monsieur?"

"Ay, even with money, Hugot. Look you! It is a _skin_ I want--not a
robe--but a perfect skin with the head, feet, and all complete, and fit
for stuffing."

"Ah! mon Colonel! that is different."

"Ah! you may say so. I fear it will be difficult, indeed," soliloquised
the Colonel, with a thoughtful air. "I very much doubt whether we can
get it at all; but it must be had, cost _what it may_--ay, _cost what it
may_."

"I will do my best, Colonel."

"Try at every fur-store in Saint Louis,--inquire among the hunters and
trappers--you know where to find them. If these fail you, put an
advertisement in the newspapers--advertise both in English and French.
Go to Monsieur Choteau--anywhere. Spare no expense, but get me the
skin."

"_Restez tranquille, mon Colonel_; I shall do all that."

"Make ready, then, to start. There may be a steamer going up before
night. Hush! I hear one this very moment. It may be a Saint Louis
boat."

All stood for a moment silent and listening. The 'scape of another boat
coming up the river could be heard plain enough.

"It is a Saint Louis boat," said Lucien. "It is the `Belle of the
West.'"

Lucien, who had a quick talent in that way, could tell, by the sound of
their steam-pipe, almost every boat that plied upon the Mississippi. In
half-an-hour the steamer hove in sight, and it was seen that he had
again guessed correctly. It was a Saint Louis boat, and the "Belle of
the West," too!

Hugot had not many preparations to make; and before the boat had arrived
opposite to the house, he had arranged everything--received some further
instructions, with a purse of money, from his master--and was off to
Point Coupee, to meet the steamer at the landing.

CHAPTER FOUR.

GOING ON A GREAT HUNT.

It was full three weeks before Hugot returned. They