lasso, to climb tall trees, and scale steep cliffs, to bring down birds
upon the wing, or beasts upon the run, with the arrow and the unerring
rifle. He had trained them to sleep in the open air--in the dark
forest--on the unsheltered prairie--along the white snow-wreath--
anywhere--with but a blanket or a buffalo-robe for their beds. He had
taught them to live upon the simplest food; and the knowledge of
practical botany which he had imparted to them--more particularly to
Lucien--would enable them, in case of need, to draw sustenance from
plants and trees, from roots and fruits--to find resources where
ignorant men might starve. They knew how to kindle a fire without
either flint, steel, or detonating powder. They could discover their
direction without a compass--from the rocks, and the trees, and the
signs of the heavens; and, in addition to all, they had been taught, as
far as was then known, the geography of that vast wilderness that
stretched from their own home to the far shores of the Pacific Ocean.

The Colonel knew that he might safely trust them upon the prairies; and,
in truth, it was with a feeling of pride, rather than anxiety, that he
consented to the expedition. But there was still another motive that
influenced him--perhaps the most powerful of all. He was inspired by
the pride of the naturalist. He thought of the triumph he would obtain
by sending such a rare contribution to the great museum of Europe. If
ever, my young reader, you should become a naturalist, you will
comprehend how strong this feeling may be; and with our
hunter-naturalist it was so.

At first he proposed that Hugot should accompany them. This the boys
would not hear of, and all three stoutly opposed it. They could not
think of taking Hugot--their father would require Hugot at home--Hugot
would be of no use to them, they said. They would do as well, if not
better, without him.

The truth was, that these ambitious young hunters did not wish to be
robbed of any part of the credit of their enterprise--which they knew
would be the case if Hugot were to accompany them. Not that Hugot was
by any means a noted hunter--quite the contrary--nor a warrior neither,
notwithstanding he had been a _chasseur a cheval_, and wore such fierce
moustachios. All this his old Colonel knew very well; and therefore did
not much insist upon sending Hugot with them.

Hugot's talents shone best in another sphere of action--in the
_cuisine_. Th