THE FIRE HUNTER. 247 



been poaching, on his own hook ; and finding 

 further remonstrance vain, said, with a shrug, 

 " Well, den, I s'pose I must git the lightwood." 



" Certainly ; and when the buck is shot, you get 

 a fore-quarter; but muni! it needn't be known 

 tho' I'd do it anyhow !" 



In three hours' time, Pompey reappeared at the 

 house, with tinder-box, lightwood and frying-pan ; 

 while Slouch had caparisoned his raw-boned steed, 

 and stood ready for service. A sheep-skin, spread 

 upon his back, was surmounted by a large saddle, 

 from the croup of which dangled a small rope, with 

 pulley and tackle attached so that, sitting on his 

 horse, he might draw up his deer, when once fas- 

 tened to the cord, without the trouble of dismount- 

 ing. 



Stealthily they took their w T ay toward the field ; 

 making a circuit to avoid the watch, whose notice 

 they were not anxious to attract. The night was 

 still and clear ; the winds hushed ; and the dews 

 lay thick and heavy on the foliage. They passed 

 onward silently, until they approached the spot in 

 which the deer were accustomed to feed. 



"The moon is down," said Slouch; "in a half 

 hour they will begin to feed. I'll hitch my horse 

 to this hickory, and we'll raise a fire and go into 

 the field. Let me see ! which way is the 



