answered Basil, as he continued to gaze
intently at the animals. "I am not certain, though. I wish Lucien were
here. Perhaps he could tell us what they are."

"Here he is, then," said Francois, as the footstep of Lucien was heard
behind them. "Look yonder, Luce!" continued he. "See what Basil calls
a pair of full-grown hares!"

"And Basil is right," replied Lucien, after having examined them for a
moment. "They _are_ full-grown hares."

Francois looked confounded.

"If I mistake not," continued Lucien, "they are the species known among
the Indians of the prairie as the `little chief hare.' They may be a
different variety, though, for there are several species of these small
hares found in the Rocky Mountains, and the prairies that lie around
them. They are very rare. I wish we could get the skin of one. I am
sure papa would prize it highly."

"That we may soon get," said Francois. "Can I not step forward, and
shoot one of them?"

"No," replied Lucien, "they would be off like the wind, before you could
get within range."

"What about Marengo? Can he not catch one?"

"I think not; besides, he would tear it in pieces. No. Our only chance
is to remain here. They appear to be making this way."

The three now took their stations behind the trunks of large trees, so
as not to be observed by the timid little animals.

The latter, as they fed and sported over the grass, were still getting
nearer to the edge of the grove; but as they advanced in an oblique
direction, they were not likely to approach the point where the young
hunters were stationed. These thought of moving farther along, so as to
meet them; and were about starting to do so, when an object appeared
that caused them to remain where they were.

Silently moving among the weeds and brambles, now trotting quickly
behind the covering of a prostrate log, now slowly crawling over the
more open ground, went a strange animal. At intervals it stopped,
squatted low along the earth, and looked eagerly out upon the prairie.
It did not see the young hunters. Its yellow eyes were bent upon the
innocent little creatures that gambolled over the grass beyond.

It was an odd-looking animal--about the size of a terrier-dog, but,
otherwise, altogether unlike one. It was of a reddish yellow colour,
with brown spots upon its sides, and stripes or bands of the same along
its back. These gave it the appearance of the leopard or tiger species,
and it resemb