ard the report of a rifle ringing
among the rocks. I was filled with alarm. Were Mary and the children
attacked by Indians?--perhaps by some savage animal?--perhaps by the
grizzly bear?

"I did not hesitate a moment, but ran forward--leaving Cudjo with the
wagon. I drew my pistol, and held it in readiness as I advanced, all
the while listening eagerly to catch every sound that might come from
the direction of the fire. Once or twice I stopped for short intervals
to breathe and listen; but there were no noises from the camp! What
could be the meaning of the silence? Where were the dogs? I knew that,
had they been attacked by a grizzly bear, or any other animal, I should
have heard their barks and worrying. But there was not a sound. Had
they been killed all at once by Indian arrows, so silent in their deadly
effect? O God! had my wife, and children too, fallen victims?

"Filled with painful apprehensions, I ran forward with increased energy,
determined to rush into the midst of the enemy--whoever they might be--
and sell my life as dearly as possible.

"At length, I came within full view of the fire. What was my
astonishment, as well as joy, on seeing my wife sitting by the blaze,
with little Luisa upon her knee, while Mary was playing upon the ground
at her feet! But where were Harry and Frank? It was quite
incomprehensible. I knew that they would not have fired the rifle to
alarm me unnecessarily, yet there sat Mary as though no rifle had been
fired!

"`What was it, dear Mary?' I cried, running up. `Where are the boys?--
they discharged the rifle, did they not?'

"`They did,' she replied; `Harry fired at something.'

"`At what?--at what?' I inquired.

"`At some animal, I know not what kind; but I think they must have
wounded it, for they all ran out, dogs and all, after the shot was
fired, and have not yet come back.'

"`In what direction?' I asked hurriedly.

"Mary pointed out the direction; and, without waiting further, I ran off
into the darkness. When about an hundred yards from the fire, I came
upon Harry, Frank, and the mastiffs, standing over some animal which I
saw was quite dead. Harry was not a little proud of the shot he had
made, and expected me to congratulate him, which of course I did; and
laying hold of the animal by one of its hind-legs--for it had no tail to
lay hold of--I dragged it forward to the light of the fire. It appeared
to be about the size of a sucking calf, t