142 HUNTING SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



would cat me, and that if I did not find the other before 

 night I should suffer for it. With a sorrowful heart I 

 recommenced my search, and all my brothers helped me. 

 Meantime my father had sat himself by the fire, and 

 complained that something in his boot had plagued him 

 the whole day ; so, pulling it off, and feeling inside, what 

 should he find but my much-bemoaned moccasin? It is 

 easier to imagine my delight than to express it." 



Conwell rolled himself in his blanket and fell asleep, 

 Btill smiling at the recollection. I could not sleep ; his 

 story had recalled events of my own childhood, and I 

 kept gazing at the strange and changing figures in the 

 fire. Bearsgrease was lying close to me, with his head 

 on my shoulder; he had raised it several times, and 

 snuffed the air, and again lain down. At length he 

 roused up and gave a slight growl. I thought I heard 

 something, and looking up to the bank behind me, I was 

 astonished to find two glowing eyeballs steadily fixed 

 upon me. My head being between the fire and the ani- 

 mal, I could see them plainly just above the bank. It 

 must be a panther, and judging from the position, ready 

 to spring. My rifle, as usual, lay ready; so, half rais- 

 ing myself, that I might have the fire in a line with the 

 two sights, I aimed between the two fiery balls, and the 

 rocks reechoed the report. 



Old Conwell was up like lightning with his rifle ready, 

 and the dogs hunted about while I reloaded, but all was 

 as silent as the grave. The old fellow shook his head, 

 and asked what on earth I had been firing at. I finished 

 loading without a word, then taking a brand from the 

 fire and going about twenty paces to a slope in the bank, 



