42 PKAIKIE AND FOREST. 



By this time my stalwart apparition had approached 

 within eighty yards: he was a noble-looking figure, without 

 the slouch of the red man when hunting, with a step as free 

 and independent as if he had been shooting over a private 

 manor. A big bug he evidently was, conscious of his own 

 divinity ; still, no eagle's feather or characteristic mark of 

 u chief distinguished him, Presently he halted, and throw 

 his large gun across his arm ; from this movement I per- 

 oeived at once that he was a white man. Great was his 

 surprise when he saw me leave my ambush ; quick as 

 thought his rifle was cocked and brought to the port, but I 

 prevented him from further hostile demonstrations by a 

 salute in mother tongue. Our meeting was strange ; both 

 took a pretty good stare, and then mutually mentioned 

 each other's name, for we had met before, and where ? In 

 no less distant a portion of the earth than in the realms 

 of the Tycoon. A restless spirit, a crack shot, and 

 passionately fond of field sports, the world was his 

 demesne ; and were game was abundant, there he would 

 be found, whatever were the dangers that surrounded it, 

 laughing at hardship and privation the bitters that make 

 the sweets of life the more enjoyable by contrast. 

 Securing my animals I accompanied him to the party to 

 which he had attached himself. They had only lately left 

 civilisation, and, through his interest, my equine com- 

 panions got several feeds of corn, to which they had long 

 been unaccustomed. The night passed discussing old 

 friends, a flask of brandy, and a package of kill-a-kinnick 

 tobacco; and when, on the morrow, I shook his sterling 

 hand at parting, before recommencing my journey, he 



