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Cooper, James Fenimore, 1789-1851

"The Prairie"

I think you all
honest, and men who would rather aid than betray one bent on a worthy
object."
"Come, then, and tell us at your leisure," said the trapper, seating
himself, and beckoning to the youth to follow his example. The latter
willingly complied; and after Paul and the Doctor had disposed of
themselves to their several likings, the new comer entered into a
narrative of the singular reasons which had led him so far into the
deserts.

CHAPTER XI
So foul a sky clears not without a storm.
--King John.
In the mean time the industrious and irreclaimable hours continued
their labours. The sun, which had been struggling through such masses
of vapour throughout the day, fell slowly in a streak of clear sky,
and thence sunk gloriously into the gloomy wastes, as he is wont to
settle into the waters of the ocean. The vast herds which had been
grazing among the wild pastures of the prairies, gradually
disappeared, and the endless flocks of aquatic birds, that were
pursuing their customary annual journey from the virgin lakes of the
north towards the gulf of Mexico, ceased to fan that air, which had
now become loaded with dew and vapour.


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