io8 
TRAVELS I\ r 
five or fix hundred yards wide, we entered a narrow 
channel, which, after a Terpentine courfe for fome 
miles, rejoins the main river again, above ; form- 
ing a large fertile ifiand, of rich low land. We 
landed on this ifiand, and foon faw a fine roebuck* 
at fome diftance from us, who appeared leader of a 
company of deer that were feeding near him on the 
verge of a green meadow. My companion parted 
from me in purfuit of the deer, one way ; and I, 
obferving a flock of turkeys at fome diftance, on 
the other, directed my fleps towards them, and 
with great caution got near them j when, Tingling 
out a large cock, and being jufl on the. point of 
firing, I obferved that feveral young cocks were af- 
frighted, and in their language warned the red 
to be on their guard againlt an enemy, whom I 
plainly perceived was induftrioufiy making his fub- 
tile approaches towards them, behind the fallen 
trunk of a tree, about twenty yards from me. This 
cunning fellow-hunter was a large fat wild cat 
(lynx) : he faw me, and at times feemed to watch 
my motions, as if determined to feize the delicious 
prey before me. Upon which I changed my object, 
and levelled my piece at him. At that inftant, my 
companion, at a diftance, alfo difcharged his piece 
at the deer, the report of which alarmed the flock 
of turkeys ; and my fellow-hunter, the cat, fprang 
over the log and trotted off. The trader alfo miffed 
his deer : thus we foiled each other* By this time 
it being near night, we returned to camp, where 
having a delicious meal ready prepared for our hun- 
gry ftomachs, we fat down in a circle round our 
wholeforne repaft. 
How fupremely blefTed were our hours at this 
time ! plenty of delicious and healthful food, our 
* Cervus fylvaticus, The American deer. 
iiomacns 
