82 WILD SPOETS IN THE SOUTH. 



siderable distance. A few big frogs, and once in a 

 while an alligator, let on for music in the river. Now 

 and then an owl hooted in the bottom land, and 

 the cranes goin' out to sea were honkin' away over- 

 head, but I couldn't hear any painter, and accordin' to 

 my calculations there would be some howlin' when she 

 cum home and found her papj^oose bagged. Yowler 

 began to get restless, and watched the swamp as if he 

 knowed what was comin'. The woods begun to get 

 blacker, the sun had gone doAvn, and some black clouds 

 bellowed overhead. It looked like a squall. 



" ' Why don't she cum ?' sez I to myself; 'or maybe 

 she's sich a knowin' varmint she's waitin' for night, to 

 chaw me up completely.' Once I thought I seen her eyes 

 in the edge of the bushes, but it turned out to be some 

 rotten fire-wood. 'Jerusalem!' sez I, 'why don't she cum !' 

 It got to be so dark I couldn't see the sights on my rifle, 

 and I thought it all over to myself. I o\\ai up I felt kind 

 a mean like. This stealin' young cubs out of their nests 

 is onnateral, any way. It is good enough for an Injun, 

 but's not Christian-like. I could see that old painter 

 comin' home, with her second cub in her mouth. I could 

 tell jist how she felt. I could see her big nostril open 

 when she smelt my tracks about her nest, and when she 

 saw her cub was gone, Lord ! what a cry she would give. 

 I'd given a bearskin to put that cub back, and then have 

 fit it out with a clare conscience. But 'twas no use a 

 talkin' ; it couldn't be done, no how. All that's left when 

 the deal is made is to stand up to yer hand. ' But,' 



