( 27 ) 



THE RUNAWAY. 



Never shall I forget the impression made on my mind by the ren- 

 contre which forms the subject of this article^ and I even doubt if the rela- 

 tion of it will not excite in that of my reader emotions of varied character. 



Late in the afternoon of one of those sultry days which render the 

 atmosphere of the Louisiana swamps pregnant with baneful effluvia, I 

 direcced my course towards my distant home, laden with a pack consist- 

 ing of five or six Wood Ibises, and a heavy gun, the weight of which, 

 even in those days when my natural powers were unimpaired, prevented 

 me from moving with, much speed. Reaching the banks of a miry bayou, 

 only a few yards in breadth, but of which I could not ascertain the depth, 

 on account of the muddiness of its waters, I thought it might be danger- 

 ous to wade through it with my burden ; for which reason, throwing to 

 the opposite side each of my heavy birds in succession, together with my 

 gun, powder-flask, and shot-bag, and drawing my hunting-knife from its 

 scabbard, to defend myself, if need should be, against alligators, I enter- 

 ed the water, followed by my faithful dog. As I advanced carefuUy and 

 slowly, " Plato" SAvam around me, enjoying the refreshing influence of 

 the liquid element that cooled his fatigued and heated frame. The water 

 deepened, as did the mire of its bed ; but with a stroke or two I gained 

 the shore. 



Scarcely had I stood erect on the opposite bank, when my dog ran to 

 me, exhibiting marks of terror, his eyes seeming ready to burst from their 

 sockets, and his mouth grinning with the expression of hatred, while his 

 feelings found vent in a stifled growl. Thinking that all this was pro- 

 duced by the scent of a wolf or bear, I stooped to take up my gun, when 

 a stentorial voice commanded me to " stand stiU, or die !" Such a " gut 

 vive^'' in these woods was as unexpected as it was rare. I instantly raised 

 and cocked my gun ; and although I did not yet perceive the individual 

 who had thus issued so peremptory a mandate, I felt determined to com- 

 bat with him for the free passage of the grounds. Presently a tall firmlv- 

 built Negro emerged from the bushy underwood, where, until that mo- 

 ment, he must have been crouched, and in a louder voice repeated his 

 injunction. Had I pressed a trigger, his life would have instantly ter- 



