994 A LEERO.

answered my caress with a low whimper, which
told me that I was understood. I looked for my
rifle. Fortunately it had not sunk deep, and I soon
found it. My boots were left behind, but I stayed
not to look for them, being smitten with a dread
of the place in which I had left them. I was not
long in retreating from the banks; and mounting,
I galloped back to the trail. It was sunset before
[ reached the camp, where I was met by the
inquiries of my companions, to whom I related my
adventure; and for that night I was the hero cf
our camp-fire.”