e was held motionless at its aim, and then the sharp crack of the
weapon sounded on the air. Before the smoke of the discharge had
dissolved in the breeze, a dark object tumbled headlong among the
boughs, and at length plunged headlong in the midst of the flames,
scattering the flashing sparks in all directions. With a furious yell
the hound fastened upon the prey, and soon dragged forth from the flames
the lifeless body of an immense panther, from one of whose perforated
eyes the life-blood flowed in a copious stream. The Indian was greatly
elated at his successful shot, and after removing with his knife one of
its sharp claws as a trophy, and heaping fresh logs on the flames, he
spread out his blanket and resigned himself to slumber.

The morning sun had not drank up the dew-drops that sparkled like gems
on herb and foliage before the young hunter had again resumed his march.
He followed with unerring precision the trail of the fugitives through
thorny thicket and quaking morass, and ere the evening sun had dropped
behind the hills, he came upon the encampment of his foe. The party had
flung themselves upon the soft turf, beneath the drooping branches of a
grove of cedars, and were enjoying their evening pipe, while a huge side
of venison smoked upon the embers. The group consisted of tall and
stalwart warriors, whose brawny limbs seemed well able to triumph in any
act of savage barbarity they might be called upon to undertake. Some of
them wore frocks of buckskin, and leggins of bright-colored cloth,
ornamented with strings of wampum, tin trinkets and glass beads, that
jingled with every motion of the wearer. Some wore feathers from the
eagle's wing on their heads, as marks of rank. At the side of most of
them rested an ornamented gun, while pouches and horns were suspended
from the branches around. Each warrior was encircled with a belt of
hide, in which glittered the usual implements of the chase and war. Some
of the inferior ones carried only a stout ash bow, a sheaf of feathered
arrows, and a weighty club of bone, adorned with quills and colored
feathers.

The cunning Wauchee crept cautiously within a short distance of the
camp, trusting that during the drowsy hours of the night he should be
able to strike a blow; but to his chagrin he perceived that the party
was on the alert, and that two wakeful sentinels constantly kept watch,
while the others slept. On the following morning the party resumed their
march, st