abroad into the prairie, as if his instinct apprised him of the
presence of still another visitor. Then, seemingly content with his
examination, he returned to his comfortable post and disposed of his
weary limbs, with the deliberation and care of one who was no novice
in the art of self-preservation.

"What; again, Hector!" said the trapper in a soothing voice, which he
had the caution, however, to utter in an under tone; "what is it, dog?
tell it all to his master, pup; what is it?"

Hector answered with another growl, but was content to continue in his
lair. These were evidences of intelligence and distrust, to which one
as practised as the trapper could not turn an inattentive ear. He
again spoke to the dog, encouraging him to watchfulness, by a low
guarded whistle. The animal however, as if conscious of having,
already, discharged his duty, obstinately refused to raise his head
from the grass.

"A hint from such a friend is far better than man's advice!" muttered
the trapper, as he slowly moved towards the couple who were yet, too
earnestly and abstractedly, engaged in their own discourse, to notice
his approach; "and none but a conceited settler would hear it and not
respect it, as he ought. Children," he added, when nigh enough to
address his companions, "we are not alone in these dreary fields;
there are others stirring, and, therefore, to the shame of our kind,
be it said, danger is nigh."

"If one of the lazy sons of Skirting Ishmael is prowling out of his
camp to-night," said the young bee-hunter, with great vivacity, and in
tones that might easily have been excited to a menace, "he may have an