-like
leaves of palmettos and yuccas growing all around, gave a southern and
tropical aspect to the scene.

The young hunters had halted nearly two hours before sunset, in order to
give time to prepare their night-camp. About half-an-hour after their
halt, the little glade presented a picture somewhat as follows:--Near
its edge stood a small canvas tent, like a white cone or pyramid. The
fly, or opening, was thrown back, for the evening was fine, and there
was no one inside. A little to one side of the tent lay three saddles
upon the grass. They were of the Mexican fashion, with high pommel and
cantle, a "horn" in front, with a staple and ring firmly fastened in the
wood of the tree. There were several thongs of leather fastened to
other rings behind the cantle; but the stirrups were steel ones, and not
those clumsy blocks of wood which so much disfigure the Mexican saddle.
Beside the saddles was an odd-looking object. It resembled a gigantic
book, partly open, and set upon the opened edges. It was a
_pack-saddle_, also of Mexican fashion, and in that country called an
"alpareja." It had a strong leathern girth, with a breech-strap to keep
it from running forward upon the shoulders of the animal that might wear
it. At a short distance from the saddles, several blankets--red and
green ones--with a bear-skin and a couple of buffalo-robes, were lying
upon the grass; and on a branch overhead hung whips, bridles,
water-gourds, and spurs. Against the trunk of a tulip-tree, that
towered over the tent, rested three guns. Two of them were rifles, of
which one was much longer than the other: the third piece was a
double-barrelled shot gun. Bullet-pouches and powder-horns hung from
the muzzles of all three, their straps being suspended from the
projecting ends of the rammers.

On the opposite or leeward side of the tent a fire was burning. It had
not been long kindled, and crackled as it blazed. You could easily have
told the strong red flame to be that of the shell-bark hickory--the best
firewood--though dry sticks of some lighter wood had been used to kindle
it. On each side of the fire a forked stick was stuck into the ground,
with the forks at the top; and on these rested a fresh cut sapling,
placed horizontally to serve as a crane. A two-gallon camp-kettle of
sheet-iron was suspended upon it and over the fire, and the water in the
kettle was just beginning to boil. Other utensils were strewed around.
There