THE BURIAL. 189 



couch, his platter his master's hand; and now he kept by the 

 blanket that was spread over the stern of one of the canoes, and 

 licked a white hand that fell from beneath, and at intervals half 

 whimpered, as does a hound when dreaming of the chase. 



Before establishing ourselves for the night, we made a thorough 

 examination of the island, and posted one of the men on the upper 

 end to act as sentinel in case any canoes were seen, as they would 

 necessarily have to approach from that way. Then one tent was 

 raised for Lou, the smouldering fire was rekindled, being first 

 sheltered from observation by the tent, and by a screen of bushes, 

 and we addressed ourselves to sleep, though this was done more to 

 encourage the men to take some rest than from any desire on the 

 part of the others for forgetfulness. Some lay down, and soon 

 were oblivious of all earthly troubles ; others dozed, and started, 

 and mused by turns ; only Lem, of all the negroes, seemed to keep 

 fully awake, and his low moanings were pitiable to hear. The 

 night was still, and the same familiar cries came from the marsh 

 that we had so often listened to ; but now they had a mocking 

 sound. The " stars dreamed their path through the sky," and with 

 the waning moon made a thin light that seemed cold and ghostly, 

 and a mist arose from the sea — the sure precursor of a storm. 



Mike presently left the camp, and walked down by the beach, 

 and the Doctor and I followed him for the purpose of talking, and 

 arranging some plan for the morrow. 



"Well, Mike, what are we to do with Jackson?" said the 

 Doctor, after we had taken a long look at each other. 



"Thar aren't but one home for him now; but what's to be 

 done with his darter ? " 



" Take her with us," said the Doctor. 



" Where shall we take ourselves to ? " I asked. 



No one answered, and each looked at Mike as the surest ad- 

 viser. The hunter sat himself down on the sand cross-legged, in 

 the Indian fashion, and, after a pause, said — 



" It 's clair we aren't wanted hereabout, and it 's mighty onsafe 

 for the young woman. Thar has been a risin' of the Injins every- 

 where, and the only safe place for a crowd as big as our own is in 

 the boats. The Injins wun't fight us by day ; it 's only when they 



