290 WILD 8POET8 IN THE SOUTH. 



" And how hide the grave ?" 



" Build the fire over it," said Mike. 



And so it was agreed that the burial should be made 

 in the night, and that the party should leave before 

 light should expose their motions to the enemy. I was 

 deputed to acquaint Lou Jackson with the plan, and to 

 obtain her approval. I found her in her tent, that opened 

 to the fire, half lying and half sitting against a roll of 

 blankets. Her eyes were shut, and she seemed asleep, 

 but when spoken to she answered without moving. I told 

 her of our plans for the morrow. She answered in a low 

 distinct tone, that it was all very well. I spoke of 

 her father, and that it was necessary to have a burial so 

 secretly as to preserve the grave from the knowledge of 

 the enemy. She consented by a single word of assent 

 in the same composed manner. I then spoke of its being 

 done immediately, and asked her if she was willing. She 

 turned in her habitual manner, as though deferring the 

 question to some one beside her ; it was her manner 

 of asking her father, that had always in the family been 

 regarded as a question, and answered by Jackson without 

 a word. Then as if recalling to her mind that there was 

 no one to respond, she looked around vacantly with 

 a troubled look, pronouncing the name of Mike. 



" Yes, child," said the hunter, bending his frame to 

 the entrance of the low tent, and replying to the unasked 

 question, " that's best." 



" Very well," she said ; and seeing her indisposed to 

 talk, I left the tent. 



