46 HUNTING DOWN THE GAME. 



entering another undulation of the prairie they were 

 hidden among the herbage. 



Here we lost sight of them, but our dogs soon recovered 

 the scent ; yet, spite of their persevering search, they 

 could find none of the turkeys. After wheeling about, 

 and wandering to and fro, they halted before a thick mass 

 of shrubs and reeds, which rose to an elevation of about 

 thirteen feet. 



Once arrived at this point, where the game had disap- 

 peared from our eyes, our dogs again recovered the scent. 



This manoeuvring lasted for nearly a quarter of an 

 hour; but, at length, the Redskin, who accompanied us 

 said to M. Simonton in his picturesque language : 



" The black bird is cunning, and wishes to cheat the 

 pale-face. He has mounted on legs of wood that he may 

 leave no trace of his course. Cast thy glances among 

 the trees, and thine eye shall discover the eye of the cun- 

 ning bird." 



Nothing could be truer. The turkeys had taken their 

 flight to a few paces distant from the bush, and were crouch- 

 ing down in the midst of the branches. Perched upon the 

 lianas, pressing close against one another like hens on the 

 roosting-poles of a poultry -yard, they had depressed their 

 neck to a level with their shoulders, and thus situated, 

 patiently waited, even holding their breath, until the 

 danger was past. 



Black and Nick darted into the thicket ; they seemed 

 to have forgotten their early training, and drove forward 

 the game instead of bringing them to a stand. The whole 

 flock resumed their flight, leaving about five stragglers 

 among the bushes. Three struggled in convulsions of 

 agony ; two had fallen to the ground, shot dead. 



