WATEII-CIIAFT OF THE IJAt'K- WOODS. ^oo 



the cunning beaver, rear themselves almost side by side, 

 and nature reposes like a virgin bride in all her beauty 

 and loveliness, soon to be stripped of her natural charms 

 to fulfil new offices with a new existence. 



On an abrupt bank of this beautiful stream, overlook- 

 ing the surrounding landscape for miles — a spot of all 

 others to be selected for a eite of beauty and defence, 

 might be seen a few lodges of the "Wallawallah In- 

 dians. 



On the opposite shore stood a fine young warrior, 

 decked in all the tinsel gewgaws which his savage fancy 

 had suggested, to catch the love of liis mistress. With 

 stealthy steps he opened the confused undergrowth that 

 lined the banks, and taking therefrom a delicate paddle, 

 he fruitlessly searched until the truth flashed upon him, 

 that some rival had stolen bis canoe. Readily would he 

 have dashed into the bosom of the swollen river, and, as 

 another Leander, sought another Hero, but his dress was 

 not to be thus spoiled. Like a chafed lion he walked 

 along the shore, his bosom altcpnately torn by rage, love, 

 and vanity, when, far up the bank he saw a herd of 

 buffalo slaking their thirst in the running stream. Seiz- 

 ing his bow and arrow, with noiseless step he stole upon 

 his victim, and the unerring shaft soon brought it to the 

 earth, struggling with the agonies of death. 



It was the work of only an adept to strip off the .skin 

 and spread it on the ground. Upon it were soon laid 

 the gayly wrought moccasons, leggings, and hmiting 



