76 AUDUBOIN' THE NATURALIST. 



ently not far off. At the same moment the bark- 

 ing of dogs fell gratefully on their ears in the soli- 

 tude. They exchanged a salute, and no sooner 

 had they done so than a pine torch glared across 

 the gloom. Without any ceremony of question- 

 ing, the negro boy by whom it was borne enjoined 

 the travellers to follow him. The door of a 

 dwelhng was soon reached, when a tall fine- 

 looking young fellow desired them to enter. 

 Spite the humble dimensions of the cabin, no 

 more inviting refuge could be imagined. It had 

 evidently only been recently constructed by the 

 inmates, a young conple, who with the amiable 

 sunplicity of wood-doves, had sought this hum- 

 ble shelter in which to tell all the happy tale of 

 love. It was built of logs of the tulip tree, 

 neatly carved, and slabs of wood, white as snow, 

 formed the floor. A large spinning-wheel, with 

 rolls of cotton, occupied one corner, and sundry 

 garments, its produce, testified the ingenious in- 

 dustry of the young matron. A small cupboard 

 contained a stock of bright new crockery, in 

 dishes, plates, and pans. The table and other few 

 pieces of furniture shone bright as polished wal- 

 nut could be. The only bed it contained was of 

 domestic manufacture. A fine rifle ornamented 

 the mantel-shelf. The ready activity and cheer- 

 ful unremitting attention shown by the young 

 wife towards the strangers proved the sincerity 



