A HUNT PROPOSED. 
219 
Lizzie never knew any thing about it till 
the next day. As likely as not she would 
have gone into fits if she had, for she is 
easily frightened.” 
“ Well, they were brave fellows, that’s a 
fact,” said Dean; “ and I for one will give 
them the panther’s skin, if it is my luck to 
get it.” 
“I wouldn’t promise it to any one if I 
were you, Jacob,” observed Erastus, dryly. 
“ The painter weara it himself just at pre¬ 
sent ; and maybe he will wear it out before 
you get hold of it.” 
“ And you won’t promise to go with us ?” 
said Bowker. 
“I won’t say I will, nor I won’t say 1 
won’t,” replied Erastus, slowly. “ This is 
Friday, and you a’n’t going till Monday; and 
there’s room for a good many things to hap¬ 
pen before then. I wish you good luck, 
boys, whether I do or don’t. I’ll take my 
traps, squire, if you’ve got them ready.” 
And, pocketing his parcels and gathering up 
his long limbs, he took his departure, fol¬ 
lowed by his dogs. 
“ Depend upon it,” said Mr. Winston, 
when Sidney repeated the conversation at 
