348 WILD SPORTS IN THE FAR AVEST. 



had his father's booty to dispose of, accompanied me, 

 and thus on the following morning we set off for the 

 little town of Ozark on the Arkansas. 



I was very sorrowful on leaving this place, where 

 the kind treatment of these good people had so com- 

 pletely gained my affections, and I was obliged to cut 

 short my leave-taking to hide my emotions. 



Another grief that weighed heavily on my heart 

 was parting with my faithful dog. Intending to give 

 up shooting, and to proceed to New Orleans, and un- 

 certain under what circumstances I might arrive there, 

 I would not willingly expose the noble creature, who 

 promised to turn out remarkably well, to become a 

 mere mud-scraper in the streets. Moreover, my old 

 comrade had become attached to him, and requested to 

 have him, while my fair friends promised to take good 

 care of him. So they tied him up, and as I was about 

 to ride off, and he found he was not to go with me, he 

 looked so entreating and affectionate with his intelli- 

 gent eyes, that I was obliged to turn away to hide my 

 tears. 



My companion exerted himself to chase away my 

 mournful thoughts, telling ail sorts of droll stories as 

 we rode through the forest ; and at length I made an 

 attempt at least to appear cheerful. 



In the afternoon w^e reached a tavern, which was also 

 a store, not far from the town. Here we disposed of 

 our goods, though to no great advantage, and, accord- 

 ing to the custom, as whiskey was not sold by the glass, 

 we ordered a quart, and sat down in a corner to discuss 

 a portion of it. AYe found here tw^o other men, dressed 

 as hunters, who were playing cards before the door. 



