224 A HEKO. 



answered my caress with a low whimper, which 

 told me that I was understood. I looked for my 

 rifle. Fortunately it had not sunk deep, and I soon 

 found it. My hoots were left behind, but I stayed 

 not to look for them, being smitten with a dread 

 of the place in which I had left them. I was not 

 long in retreating from the banks ; and mounting, 

 I galloped back to the trail. It was sunset before 

 I reached the camp, where I was met by the 

 inquiries of my companions, to whom I related my 

 adventure ; and for that night I was the hero of 

 our camp-fire." 



