"No 'fraid," said Pierre, whose pipe was beginning to

improve his temper. "The red reptiles no dare to come

in open plain when de moon so clear."

"Dun know that," said a taciturn trapper, who seldom

ventured a remark of any kind; "them varmints 'ud

steal the two eyes out o' you' head when they set their

hearts on't."

"Dat ar' umposs'ble, for dey have no hearts," said a

half-breed; "dey have von hole vere de heart vas

be."