, but pursuing the humour of the moment, he
called out in a stentorian voice to the naturalist to answer to his
name. Dr. Battius had not thought it necessary to push his success
beyond the comfortable niche, which accident had so opportunely formed
for his protection, and in which he now reposed from his labours, with
a pleasing consciousness of security, added to great exultation at the
possession of the botanical treasure already mentioned.

"Mount, mount, my worthy mole-catcher! come and behold the prospect of
skirting Ishmael; come and look nature boldly in the face, and not go
sneaking any longer, among the prairie grass and mullein tops, like a
gobbler nibbling for grasshoppers."

The mouth of the light-hearted and reckless bee-hunter was instantly
closed, and he was rendered as mute, as he had just been boisterous and
talkative, by the appearance of Ellen Wade. When the melancholy maiden
took her seat on the point of the rock as mentioned, Paul affected to
employ himself in conducting a close inspection of the household effects
of the squatter. He rummaged the drawers of Esther with no delicate
hands, scattered the rustic finery of her girls on the ground, without
the least deference to its quality or elegance, and tossed her pots and
kettles here and there, as though they had been vessels of wood instead
of iron. All this industry was, however, manifestly without an object.
He reserved nothing for himself, not even appearing conscious of the
nature of the articles which suffered by his familiarity. When he had
examined the inside of every cabin, taken a fresh survey of the spot
where he had confined the children, and where he had thoroughly secured
them with cords, and kicked one of the pails of the woman, like a
foot-ball, fifty feet into the air, in sheer wantonness, he returned to
the edge of the rock, and thrusting both his hands through his wampum
belt, he began to whistle the "Kentucky Hunters" as diligently as if he
had been hired to supply his auditors with music by the hour. In this
manner passed the remainder of the time, until Middleton, as has been
related, led Inez forth from the tent, and gave a new direction to
the thoughts of the whole party. He summoned Paul from his flourish of
music, tore the Doctor from the study of his plant, and, as acknowledged
leader, gave the necessary orders for immediate departure.

In the bustle and confusion that were likely to succeed such a mandate,
there was li