AN UNPLEASANT NOCTURNAL VISITOK. 253 



the weather was the most glorious for shooting that 

 could possibly be imagined. I was on foot by daybreak, 

 and by ten o'clock 1 had three deer hanging to the 

 trees. My last night's repose having been broken by 

 the storm, and yesterday's and to-day's exertions having 

 fatigued me very much, I threw myself under a tree, 

 and enjoyed a delightful nap. The sun was near the 

 horizon when I awoke, and there was hardly time for 

 me to return to camp and collect wood before dark, 

 for the night threatened to be very cold ; but it was 

 bright starlight, and my blanket was dry, so I rolled 

 myself comfortably in its folds. 



I lay awake till past midnight, giving the reins to 

 my imagination ; and when I fell asleep I dreamed of 

 stretched deerskins, and that Bearsgreasc was chasing 

 an immense buck, when his loud barking and howling 

 awoke me. I patted him to keep him quiet, and found 

 his hair all bristling up. I thought wolves must be 

 near us ; and listening attentively, I heard the cautious 

 tread of some heavy beast over the dry frosty leaves. 



I laid some dry fir branches, which were near me, 

 on the fire, to make it burn up bright, and placed 

 myself between it and the noise of the footsteps, in 

 order to distinguish the eyes of my untimely visitor, 

 and shoot him. Three times I caught sight of two 

 glowing balls, and from their rapid disappearance I 

 was convinced that I had to do with a panther. lie 

 went round and round the fire several times, but never 

 close enough for me to distinguish his form; and I 

 passed half an hour with my rifle at my cheek, in the 

 greatest anxiety, the dog pressing close to my side, 

 with all his nerves on the stretch, following the tread 

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