CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
A CUNNING CAT AND A SLY OLD 'POSSUM.
The place where our adventurers now encamped was in a large grove of white oaks and shell-bark hickory-trees.

There was a spring near the centre of the grove, and near this spring the horses were tied, as there grew around it plenty of grass of the mezquite species.

The dried meat, which formed the staple of their own provisions, had been scattered by Jeanette in her flight, and of course lost.

What were they to have for dinner?
This was an important question; and by way of answer to it, Basil and Francois took up their guns and walked out to see whether they could fall in with a squirrel or some other eatable creature.

But the sun was yet high, and no squirrels could be seen--for these little creatures hide themselves during mid-day, coming out only in the mornings and evenings to feed and play.
Failing to start any game in the thick shady grove, the young hunters bethought them of making trial around its edge; and, after walking a hundred yards or so, they came near the border of the prairie.