irrel, betokened that both were
inspired by the tenderest of passions. "Pensando de amor," as the
Spanish phrase finely expresses it; for at that moment, the beautiful
words of the southern poet were in my thoughts, and upon my lips:

Aunque las fieras
En sus guaridas
Enternecidas
Pensan de amor!

Even the fierce beasts in their forest lairs become gentle under the
influence of this all-pervading passion!

I rode on slowly and in silence--my whole soul absorbed in the
contemplation of that fair being, whose image seemed still before my
eyes--palpable as if present. My heart quivered under the influence of
a gentle joy. The past appeared bright; the present, happiness itself;
the future, full of hope. I had found the very "wilderness-home" of my
longings; the fair spirit that should be my minister! No doubt rose
before my mind to dim the brilliant prospect before me--no shadow hung
over the horizon of my hopes. The prospect before me appeared bright
and sunny as the sky above my head. Within and without the world was
smiling--all nature seemed tinted with the hue of the rose! This
delightful reverie lasted for a time--alas! too short a time--only while
I was traversing the track, that, but the moment before, I had passed
over in such pleasant companionship.

On arriving at the scene of my late adventure, a turn was given to my
thoughts. It had been a scene of triumph, and deserved commemoration.
The body of the panther lay across the path. His shining skin was a
trophy not to be despised; and, dismounting on the spot, with my
hunting-knife I secured it. I could point to it with pride--as the
first spoil obtained in my new hunting-field; but I should prize it
still more, as the memento of a far sweeter sentiment. In a few
minutes, it was folded up, and strapped over the cantle of my saddle;
and, with this odd addition to my equipage, I once more plunged into the
forest-path.

For the next mile, the trace led through heavy bottom-timber, such as we
had traversed, after leaving the settlement of Swampville. The black
earth, of alluvial origin, was covered deeply with decayed vegetation;
and the track of horses and cattle had converted the path into mud. At
intervals, it was intersected by embayments of wet morass--the
projecting arms of a great swamp, that appeared to run parallel with the
creek. Through these, my horse, unused to such footing, passed with
difficulty--often flo