ort, and let their horses browse at will on the rich pasturage.

A bright ruddy fire was soon kindled, which created, as it were, a
little ball of light in the midst of surrounding darkness for the
special use of our hardy hunters. Within this magic circle all was
warm, comfortable, and cheery; outside all was dark, and cold, and
dreary by contrast.

When the substantial part of supper was disposed of, tea and pipes
were introduced, and conversation began to flow. Then the three
saddles were placed in a row; each hunter wrapped himself in his
blanket, and pillowing his head on his saddle, stretched his feet
towards the fire and went to sleep, with his loaded rifle by his side
and his hunting-knife handy in his belt. Crusoe mounted guard by
stretching himself out _couchant_ at Dick Varley's side. The faithful
dog slept lightly, and never moved all night; but had any one observed
him closely he would have seen that every fitful flame that burst from
the sinking fire, every unusual puff of wind, and every motion of the
horses that fed or rested hard by, had the effect of revealing a speck
of glittering white in Crusoe's watchful eye.

CHAPTER VI.

_The great prairies of the far west_--_A remarkable colony discovered,
and a miserable night endured_.

Of all the hours of the night or day the hour that succeeds the dawn
is the purest, the most joyous, and the best. At least so think we,
and so think hundreds and thousands of the human family. And so
thought Dick Varley, as he sprang suddenly into a sitting posture next
morning, and threw his arms with an exulting feeling of delight round
the neck of Crusoe, who instantly sat up to greet him.

This was an unusual piece of enthusiasm on the part of Dick; but the
dog received it with marked satisfaction, rubbed his big hairy cheek
against that of his young master, and arose from his sedentary
position in order to afford free scope for the use of his tail.

"Ho! Joe Blunt! Henri! Up, boys, up! The sun will have the start o'
us. I'll catch the nags."

So saying Dick bounded away into the woods, with Crusoe gambolling
joyously at his heels. Dick soon caught his own horse, and Crusoe
caught Joe's. Then the former mounted and quickly brought in the other
two.

Returning to the camp he found everything packed and ready to strap on
the back of the pack-horse. "That's the way to do it, lad," cried Joe.
"Here, Henri, look alive and git yer beast ready. I do believe ye're