of territory must be passed, before the wishes of
the humblest agriculturist could be realised.

Still, the leader of the emigrants steadily pursued his way, with no
other guide than the sun, turning his back resolutely on the abodes
of civilisation, and plunging, at each step, more deeply if not
irretrievably, into the haunts of the barbarous and savage occupants of
the country. As the day drew nigher to a close, however, his mind, which
was, perhaps, incapable of maturing any connected system of forethought,
beyond that which related to the interests of the present moment,
became, in some slight degree, troubled with the care of providing for
the wants of the hours of darkness.

On reaching the crest of a swell that was a little higher than the usual
elevations, he lingered a minute, and cast a half curious eye, on either
hand, in quest of those well known signs, which might indicate a place,
where the three grand requisites of water, fuel and fodder were to be
obtained in conjunction.

It would seem that his search was fruitless; for after a few moments of
indolent and listless examination, he suffered his huge frame to descend
the gentle declivity, in the same sluggish manner that an over fatted
beast would have yielded to the downward pressure.

His example was silently followed by those who succeeded him, though
not until the young men had manifested much more of interest, if not of
concern in the brief enquiry, which each, in his turn, made on gaining
the same look-out. It was now evident, by the tardy movements both of
beasts and men, that the time of necessary rest was not far distant. The
matted grass of the lower land, presented obstacles which fatigue began
to render formidable, and the whip was becoming necessary to urge
the lingering teams to their labour. At this moment, when, with the
exception of the principal individual, a general lassitude was getting
the mastery of the travellers, and every eye was cast, by a sort of
common impulse, wistfully forward, the whole party was brought to a
halt, by a spectacle, as sudden as it was unexpected.

The sun had fallen below the crest of the nearest wave of the prairie,
leaving the usual rich and glowing train on its track. In the centre
of this flood of fiery light, a human form appeared, drawn against the
gilded background, as distinctly, and seemingly as palpable, as though
it would come within the grasp of any extended hand. The figure was
colossal; the