344 WILD SPOETS IN THE SOUTH. 



fire. The pencillings of red on the lakes shortened ; and 

 then disajitpeared. The bh'ds that had fished all day m 

 the shallows settled in the trees to roost. The earth 

 wrapped itself in darkness as a mantle, and left to dews 

 the freshened air. 



" Wall," said Mike, after a big yawn, " let's do some- 

 thin'." 



" Yes, and that something must be to get out of this 

 place as soon as possible," quoth the Doctor. 



" No !" replied Mike, w^ith a comical accent. 



" It's very well for you, Mike, who have a gift for 

 Indians, to hang about them, but I don't think I care to 

 have my ears bitten off, like Tustenuggee's aid-de- 

 camp." 



" We're all right so long as we squat here, and make 

 no fire, or any trails, but when we come to go away we 

 may meet more Injins in the river." 



" But the faster we go, the less likelihood of meet- 

 ing." 



" Wall, we will go. . Shut up, YoAvler, you dod-rotted 

 dog !" to the hound, who was attempting one of his 

 houndish yelps. " But first I must see who them cree- 

 ters is, and ef you'll keep quiet here awhile, I'll go 

 look." 



So, in spite of the general dissent, Mike took one of 

 the canoes and disappeared in the darkness, while the 

 negroes crept up close like monkeys, shivering with fear 

 of the darkness and danger, and we chatted in low tones 

 of the scene around us. There was a steam on the 



