eagerly over the water. In the air a flock of
buzzard vultures were wheeling lazily about, and a pair of ospreys hung
over the lake, now and then swooping down upon their finny prey.

Such was the scene around the camp of the boy hunters, a scene often to
be witnessed among the wilderness-swamps of Louisiana.

The tent was set near the bank of the bayou, where the ground was dry
and high. The spot was open--only a few scattered palmettos growing
over it--and the animals were picketed upon the grass near by. There
was venison for supper. Basil's unerring rifle had brought down a doe,
just as they were about to halt; and Basil was an accomplished butcher
of such-like game. The doe was soon skinned, and the choice pieces cut
out--enough to serve for supper and breakfast upon the following
morning. The haunches were hung on a limb, to be carried along, as the
next day's hunt might not turn out so successful. There was still
enough left to make a splendid supper for Marengo, and that hungry
animal took full advantage of the occasion. He knew that in an
excursion like the present it was not every day that a fat doe turned
up; or when it did, that such a portion of its carcass was likely to
fall to his share.

It was still early, wanting full two hours of sunset, when the hunters
finished their supper--dinner it should rather be called--as, with the
exception of some dry mouthfuls at their noon halt, they had not eaten
since breakfast.

When the meal was over, Basil again looked to repairing the harness of
the mule--that had got out of order on the march--while Lucien drew out
his note-book and pencil, and, sitting down upon a buffalo-robe,
commenced entering his observations for the day. Francois having no
employment, resolved upon creeping around the edge of the bayou, to have
a shot at the flamingoes, if he should be lucky enough to get near them.
This he knew would be no easy matter, but he had made up his mind to
try it; and, having told his brothers of his intention, he shouldered
his gun and went off.

He was soon out of sight, having passed into some thick timber that grew
along the edge of the water, through which there was a plain trail made
by deer and other wild animals. He kept along this trail, sheltering
himself behind the trees, so that the flamingoes, that were several
hundred yards farther down the bayou, might not see him as he
approached.

He had not been out of sight more than five minute