"
"Advice is not a gift, but a debt that the old owe to the young. What
would you wish to know?"
"Where I may camp for the night. I'm no great difficulty maker, as to
bed and board; but, all old journeyers, like myself, know the virtue
of sweet water, and a good browse for the cattle."
"Come then with me, and you shall be master of both; and little more
is it that I can offer on this hungry prairie."
As the old man was speaking, he raised his heavy rifle to his
shoulder, with a facility a little remarkable for his years and
appearance, and without further words led the way over the acclivity
to the adjacent bottom.
CHAPTER II
Up with my tent: here will I lie to-night,
But where, to-morrow?--Well, all's one for that
--Richard the Third.
The travellers soon discovered the usual and unerring evidences that
the several articles necessary to their situation were not far
distant. A clear and gurgling spring burst out of the side of the
declivity, and joining its waters to those of other similar little
fountains in its vicinity, their united contributions formed a run,
which was easily to be traced, for miles along the prairie, by the
scattering foliage and verdure which occasionally grew within the
influence of its moisture.
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