-Jack, during all these persecutions, had
deported himself with the most stolid in
difference. Avoiding all intercourse widi
the settlers, he had continued lo hunt
with even more assiduity than usual, and (
was in a great measure ignorant of the
unenviable notoriety he was enjoying.
He had heard something of the charge
with which his character had been assail
ed, but attributed them all to the jealous
enmity he had incurred at the sliding
match. lie could understand perfectly
how one man could hate another who had
beat him in shooting, and thought it natu
ral enough ; but he could not understand
how that hatred mighl be meanly and de
sperately vindictive, and therefore gave
himself no uneasiness about it. He was
only anxious that his wife should not
hear and be annoyed by any of these
things, and preserved his usual cheerful
ness of demeanor.
lie had just returned from hunting,
and laying aside his accoutrements, par
look of the simple meal her neat house
wifery had prepared for him; then stretch
ing himself upon the buffalo robe on the
floor, romped with his two rosy checked
boys, who rolled over his great body, and
gambolled and screamed in riotous jov
a round him ; but mother wanted some
water from the branch, and the frolic musl
be given over while Jack would go and
being it. So jumping up, he left the lit
tle folks pouting wilfully rs they looked
after him from the door, and started.
