476 VALENTINE AND ORSON.

tine then climbed a high tree near the cave ; and scarcely was
he seated among the branches, when he heard Orson’s roar in
the forest. Orson had been hunting, and came with a swift
pace, bearing a buck he had killed upon his shoulders. Valen-
tine could not help admiring the beauty of his person, the grace

 

and freedom of his motions, and his appearance of strength and
agility. He felt a species of affection for the wild man, and
wished it were possible to tame him, without having recourse to
weapons. Valentine now tore off a branch of the tree; and
threw it at Orson’s feet, who, looking up, and espying Valen-
tine in the tree, uttered a growl of fury, and darted up the tree
like lightning. Valentine as quickly descended on the other
side: Orson seeing him on the ground, leaped down, and open-