EPISODES 267 



had not strayed far from the place where we had left 

 them. These we soon saddled, and jogging along, in a 

 direct course, guided by the sun, congratulating each 

 other on the destruction of so formidable a neighbor as 

 the Panther had been, we soon arrived at my host's cabin. 

 The five neighbors partook of such refreshment as the 

 house could afford, and dispersing, returned to their 

 homes, leaving me to follow my favorite pursuits. 



THE RUNAWAY 



Never shall I forget the impression made on my mind 

 by the rencontre which forms the subject of this article, 

 and I even doubt if the relation of it will not excite in 

 that of my reader emotions of varied character. 



Late in the afternoon of one of those sultry days which 

 render the atmosphere of the Louisiana swamps pregnant 

 with baneful effluvia, I directed my course towards my 

 distant home, laden with a pack, consisting of five or six 

 Wood Ibises, and a heavy gun, the weight of which, even 

 in those days, when my natural powers were unimpaired, 

 prevented me from moving with much speed. Reaching 

 the banks of a miry bayou, only a few yards in breadth, 

 but of which I could not ascertain the depth, on account 

 of the muddiness of its waters, I thought it might be 

 dangerous to wade through it with my burden, for which 

 reason, throwing to the opposite side each of my heavy 

 birds in succession, together with my gun, powder-flask, 

 and shot-bag, and drawing my hunting-knife from its 

 scabbard, to defend myself, if need should be, against 

 Alligators, I entered the water, followed by my faithful 

 dog. As I advanced carefully, and slowly, " Plato " 

 swam around me, enjoying the refreshing influence of the 

 liquid element that cooled his fatigued and heated frame. 



