CHAPTER TWO.
THE HUNTER-NATURALIST AND HIS FAMILY.
In 1815 was fought the famous battle of Waterloo, and in the same year Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to the island-rock of Saint Helena.

Many French officers, who had followed the fortunes of the great adventurer, at that time emigrated to America.

Most of these, as was very natural, sought the French settlements on the Mississippi, and there made their homes for life.

Among them was one named Landi, who had been a colonel of chasseurs in Napoleon's army.

He was by birth a Corsican; and it was through his being a friend and early acquaintance of one of the Bonaparte family that he had been induced to become an officer in the French army--for in his youth he had been fonder of science than soldiering.
While campaigning in Spain, Landi had married a Basque lady, by whom he had three children, all sons.