HUNTING ON THE ARKANSAW. 61 



Bolved then to strike off in a south-west direction in 

 search of the route to Texas. 



I had hardly gained the opposite bank when I disco- 

 vered a large flock of wild turkeys. I took aim, and 

 pulled the trigger, forgetting that I had not loaded ; 

 they took to the trees on my approach, and I suffered 

 the tortures of Tantalus at the sight ; but there was no 

 help for it, and I was obliged to pass on. As it always 

 happens in such cases, I saw quantities of game this 

 day. 



Cold and cloudy descended the night, bringing with it 

 the dreaded north wind ; I was obliged to lie down with- 

 out a fire. In order to avoid the bears and panthers, I 

 had climbed up a tree, but the wind was too sharp to 

 make such an airy perch endurable. At length I found 

 a hollow tree, crept in, covered my feet with my game- 

 bag, placed my gun on my left side, and, with my knife 

 in my right hand, I passed one of the most uncomforta- 

 ble nights of my life. I heard the howling of the 

 wolves, and once the roar of a panther in the distance ; 

 but nothing came to disturb me, and the bright morning 

 sun saw me early on the march, for my couch was not 

 inviting enough to detain me. At length, what music 

 to my ears ! the crow of a cock and the bark of a dog 

 announced the neighborhood of a farm. I soon per- 

 ceived the thin, blue smo^e of a chimney ascending into 

 the beautiful clear sky, and, with a quickened pace, 

 made towards it, hoping soon to refresh both body and 

 soul. 



The good people gave me such a hospitable recep- 

 tion, and placed so much on the table, that, notwith- 



