THE FIRST NIGHT. :n 



the interlopers, drove them away. The next 

 morning it was not only nearly eaten, but 

 turned completely over, yet still there were 

 no traces discernible. Certain, however, now, 

 that it must be some wild animal, I made 

 up my mind to watch at night for its coming, 

 and set a man to prevent the dogs and 

 vultures making an end of what remained. 



The night came on rainy and dark, and I 

 did not go out till the moon rose, about ten 

 o'clock, and the clouds had cleared a little 

 away. Slowly and carefully approaching 

 the spot, what was my surprise to find the 

 carcase removed altogether ! The moon gave 

 but a faint light through the heavy clouds, 

 and here it was rendered still more indistinct 

 by the large and densely foUaged oak trees 

 around. Groping about I found the carcase 

 some twenty yards away, but the animal 

 was gone. Thinking it would soon return, 

 I posted myself behmd the trunk of one of 

 the large trees, and watched patiently an 

 hour or two in vain, when, concluding that 

 whatever it was it had eaten suflficient for 



