And furthermore, if an opinion from one as old and as worthless as a hunter of fourscore, is to be regarded, I would just venture to say, that man should be the one most skilled in the natur' of an Indian, and that he should also know something of their language .-- Are you acquainted with the tongue of the Siouxes, friend ?" "Swarm your own hive," returned the discontented bee-hunter.

"You are good at buzzing, old trapper, if you are good at nothing else." "'Tis the gift of youth to be rash and heady," the trapper calmly retorted.

"The day has been, boy, when my blood was like your own, too swift and too hot to run quietly in my veins.

But what will it profit to talk of silly risks and foolish acts at this time of life! A grey head should cover a brain of reason, and not the tongue of a boaster." "True, true," whispered Ellen; "and we have other things to attend to now! Here comes the Indian to put his questions." The girl, whose apprehensions had quickened her senses, was not deceived.

She was yet speaking when a tall, half naked savage, approached the spot where they stood, and after examining the whole party as closely as the dim light permitted, for more than a minute in perfect stillness, he gave the usual salutation in the harsh and guttural tones of his own language.