MUCH CHAGRINED. 97 



only the analecta of the feast to form a slight refection 

 in the morning. 



The air was fresh and balmy as the hunters crossed 

 the broad river, the surface of which was as placid as a 

 mirror, picturing the motionless trees and the dappled 

 sky with exquisite accuracy. On every twig and branch 

 lay a heavy dew, which had been deposited during the 

 night ; and the rising sun, glancing through the foliage, 

 glittered on myriads of the diamond drops, which 

 reflected the rays in beautiful prismatic hues. 



Old Jake, however, cared little for the picturesque, 

 and anathematized the glittering showers which he 

 brushed from the boughs as he forced his way in the 

 van of the party. The spot where the buffaloes had 

 fallen was soon reached ; and here Pierre stayed behind, 

 as he wished to butcher his own game. Gaultier and 

 Jake pushed on, each to find and cut up the animal 

 which was properly his own. 



That which had fallen to Gaultier's rifle was first 

 met, and the two hunters were considerably chagrined 

 to find that, despite a scarecrow which had been placed 

 over the carcass, much of the meat had been injured 

 by wild animals during the night. 



"The nasty varmints!" said Jake, "hev spiled the 

 best o' the meat. I reckon we were well employed 

 providin' rump steaks fur thur rotted jaws ! Ef I cud 

 only introjooce Plumcentre to the skunks, it 'ud take a 

 weight off this nigger's gizzard." 



While talking thus, the old hunter was examining 



