"I scorn to take the life of a beast, because its master has pitched himself too nigh my clearing; come away, boys, come away; we have enough of our own work before us, without turning aside to do that of the whole neighbourhood." "Come not away!" cried Esther, in tones that sounded like the admonitions of some sibyl.

"I say, come not away, my children.

There is a meaning and a warning in this; and as I am a woman and a mother, will I know the truth of it all!" So saying, the awakened wife brandished her weapon, with an air that was not without its wild and secret influence, and led the way towards the spot where the dogs still remained, filling the air with their long-drawn and piteous complaints.

The whole party followed in her steps, some too indolent to oppose, others obedient to her will, and all more or less excited by the uncommon character of the scene.
"Tell me, you Abner--Abiram--Ishmael!" the woman cried, standing over a spot where the earth was trampled and beaten, and plainly sprinkled with blood; "tell me, you who ar' hunters! what sort of animal has here met his death ?--Speak!--Ye ar' men, and used to the signs of the plains; is it the blood of wolf or panther ?" "A buffaloe--and a noble and powerful creatur' has it been!" returned the squatter, who looked down calmly on the fatal signs which so strangely affected his wife.

"Here are the marks of the spot where he has struck his hoofs into the earth, in the death-struggle; and yonder he has plunged and torn the ground with his horns.