But,
fortunately for the credit of the old man's forbearance, when the
naturalist reached the word, with which he terminated his last speech,
a sound arose in the air that seemed a sort of supernatural echo to
the idea itself. The young Pawnee, who had awaited the termination of
the incomprehensible discussion, with grave and characteristic
patience, raised his head, and listened to the unknown cry, like a
stag, whose mysterious faculties had detected the footsteps of the
distant hounds in the gale. The trapper and the Doctor were not,
however, entirely so uninstructed as to the nature of the
extraordinary sounds. The latter recognised in them the well-known
voice of his own beast, and he was about to rush up the little bank,
which confined the current, with all the longings of strong affection,
when Asinus himself galloped into view, at no great distance, urged to
the unnatural gait by the impatient and brutal Weucha, who bestrode
him.
The eyes of the Teton, and those of the fugitives met. The former
raised a long, loud, and piercing yell, in which the notes of
exultation were fearfully blended with those of warning.
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