AN INDIAN VISITOR. 221 



rang with the merry chink of their axes and the crash 

 of falling pines. A sufficient supply of the umbrageous 

 branches was soon collected, and secured against a 

 framework of poles. 



In the art of constructing a rain-proof shanty the 

 hunters were great proficients, so that in a very short 

 time a neat comfortable hut was erected, and a huge 

 fire blazed opposite the door, throwing a ruddy glow 

 upon the river, which was hardly ten yards distant. 



Within this snug retreat the baggage was placed; 

 and the trappers were just about to throw themselves 

 upon the carpet of balsam fir-sprays with which they 

 had strewn the floor of the hut, when suddenly an 

 Indian canoe, paddled by a solitary Redskin, rounded 

 the point and made straight for the camp. 



In a few moments the new-comer landed and ap- 

 proached the fire. Contrary to the usual Indian cus- 

 tom of waiting for an invitation, the savage seated him- 

 self, and after looking furtively at his new associates, 

 said, 



"Hope plenty meat Injun heap hungry." 



" Wai, old coon," replied Jake, " hyur's a griskin o' a 

 deer as wur lopin' airly yesterday mornin'. 'Tain't 

 much, but it's all we've spared. I guess we didn't 

 know yer wur coming', or we mout hev kept a leetle 

 more." 



The Redskin did not appear to hear the old hunter's 

 apology, but seized the proffered venison, and devoured 

 it after the fashion of a famished wolf. Before such a 



