with several Indian curs that gambolled round the fire.

The master of the family and his two sons reclined on

buffalo robes, smoking their stone pipes or calumets in

silence. There was nothing peculiar in their appearance.

Their faces were neither dignified nor coarse in

expression, but wore an aspect of stupid apathy, which

formed a striking contrast to the countenance of the

young hunter, who seemed an amused spectator of their

proceedings.

The youth referred to was very unlike, in many