tharfore ask his pardon fur orderin' him off the ground."

"I grant it!" shouted Edwards, glad here to wind up the apology; then, turning round, he added, "Come, boys, let us drink good friends."

"Wait a minit, boys," said Hoss; "the Jedge and I havin' smoothed that little marter over, I jest want to tell you why I didn't know him at fust sight. You all know that the mosquitoes in cedar swamp are an oreful hungry breed, and when they git a passenger they present him with numerous 'relief bills." Well, I had gained considerable popularity in that swamp, by presentin' their condition before the legislatur', and askin' for relief for the distressed inhabitants; the Jedge, to head me down thar, passed all last night on a limb of one of the trees makin' stump speeches to the varmints; and you can see by his countenance that, expectin' to be elected, he had accepted all their mosquito bills!"'

One tremendous shout rent the air, followed by bursts of laughter, from which Edwards retreated into the hotel. We have but to add that Hoss carried the Bar counties "as easy as rolling off a log!" His antagonist in vain tried to stem the tide of

na: when he essayed to speak a m-e-o-w of awid cat, or the hum of a mosquito, imitated by some of his audience, would be sure to set he rest sniggering, and spoil his effort.

III.

WOLF-HUNTING ON THE TURKISAG.

Ar an early hour we got everything ready for our journey to the Turkisag. Our party consisted of about fifty, well stored with provisions and ammunition, a precaution not unnecessary, as it sometimes happened that hunters were unable to leave their station for days; and it was now that season of the year when wolves were the most ravenous, and mustered in great numbers.

Those who have never taken part in these skirls, as they are commonly called, which generally take place by moonlight, cannot have a correct idea of the horrors attendant upon them, To see myriads of wolves before you, howling, and darting their fiery eyes upon you, as if they would break through the barrier that prevents them from devouring you, is indeed a terrific scene, and

one calculated to arouse in the breast of the hunter all the coolness and courage he may possess.

It was broad moonlight when we arrived at the place selected as the scene of operations. The Turkisag possesses a different aspect from the Blue Ridge. The latter is of a noble and magnificent description, but the scenery of the former is of a different order: there was an air of desolation hovering about it that produced feelings of awe, and you gazed around you as if in expectation of beholding something instinct with horror. Dark and gloomy caves or holes met your sight on every side; but where a level spot presented itself, it was thickly covered with trees, short, and of monstrous bulk, so that they nearly shut out the light of the moon in various places.

The spot where we purposed to erect our scaffolding was in the dreariest place we could select, and, as it proved, where wolves were the most numerous. First, we all set to work with our axes, and cleared a space of about fifty feet in extent, by cutting down the smaller trees, leaving, of course, the larger ones standing. At the extreme west of this clear space, two scaffolds were erected after this wise: branches of trees were driven

into the earth, six or eight inches apart, rising above the ground about eight feet; then a great quantity of brushwood was wove around them from the bottom to the top, presenting a strong basket or net-work; across the top were laid large branches, affording a tolerably firm flooring; and around the works props were placed, giving sufficient strength to the whole capable of bearing the weight of the party; a rude ladder was also made to enable us to ascend, but more particularly for the runner, whose share of the dangers of wolfshooting was not inconsiderable. These scaffolds were built nearly on the edge of a precipice of about sixty feet in height; on the north-east, and about one hundred feet from us, arose a peak, stretching far above our heads, overhanging a gap in the mountain about twelve feet wide. The opposite point was somewhat lower than that on which we stood, making a considerable descent, leading round to the place where we were encamped. Before us appeared an interminable forest, with here and there a cave, the uncertain moonlight only adding to its repulsive appearance.

Pine knots were fastened to some of the larger trees, and lighted, so as to enable us to see distinctly anything that approached.