198 NOCTURNAL SOUNDS. 



Occasionally a deep sighing sound filled the air the 

 rush of the breeze through the tree-tops, which scarcely 

 swayed to its passing influence. From the glade could 

 be heard at intervals a shrill squeak, which soon caught 

 Gaultier's attention. 



" What is it makes that noise, Jake ?" he inquired as 

 the sound again reached their ears this time seeming 

 to come from several directions at once. 



"I reckin it's mice," replied the trapper; "an' 'twur 

 them same leetle critters that med me wait hyur a bit. 

 The black fox chaws up them varmints, an' I kinder 

 think we'll see some o' them beauties ef the moon 'ud 

 only show out." 



Slowly the time passed to the expectant hunters, 

 until the gradual brightening of the eastern heavens 

 announced the wished-for moonrise. Slowly the pale 

 light stole upward along the sky, and soon the wel- 

 come luminary rose from beyond the woods, throwing 

 showers of light upon the sleeping trees, and darting 

 silver spears into their gloomy recesses. 



"Now, young fellurs," said Jake, "it's time to skin 

 yer eyes. Jest squint out thur over the grass, an' 

 mebbe ye '11 spot a fox on the lope arter them mice." 



The young men accordingly cast searching glances 

 down the glade ; but in the distance objects were so 

 confused and indistinct that several times mistakes 

 were made, which at length aroused the ire of old Jake. 



" Wagh !" he exclaimed, " yer can't see ekal to an owl 

 in daytime. I guess my old peepers kin tell the dif- 



