Still, caution was deemed necessary, and when at the mid-day pipe the boat was pushed ashore under a beautiful overhanging bank, crowned with a thick wood, the usual vigilance was somewhat relaxed, and the young people, under the escort of Arthur and Mata, were permitted to roam about a little, in the vicinity of the boat.
They soon came back, with the report that the woods were "alive with pigeons,"-- they could almost knock them down with sticks; and earnestly did they plead to be allowed to shoot at least enough for supper.

But no--the enemy might be nearer than we imagined--the firing of a gun would betray our whereabouts--it was most prudent to give no notice to friend or foe.

So, very reluctantly, they were compelled to return to the boat without their game.
The next morning brought us to Powell's, at the Butte des Morts.

Sad were the faces of the poor Frenchmen at learning that not a loaf of bread was to be had.

Our own store, too, was by this time quite exhausted.