The Hunters Feast | Page 4

the
true bred Yankee, "stingy." On the contrary, our doctor was full of talk
and joviality--generous to a fault. A fault, indeed; for, although many
years in practice in various parts of the United States, and having
earned large sums of money, at the date of our expedition we found
him in Saint Louis almost without a dollar, and with no great stock of
patients. The truth must be told; the doctor was of a restless disposition,
and liked his glass too well. He was a singer too, a fine amateur singer,
with a voice equal to Mario's. That may partly account for his failure in
securing a fortune. He was a favourite with all--ladies included--and so
fond of good company, that he preferred the edge of the jovial board to
the bed-side of a patient.
Not from any fondness for buffalo-hunting, but rather through an
attachment to some of the company, had the doctor volunteered. Indeed,
he was solicited by all to make one of us--partly on account of his
excellent society, and partly that his professional services might be
called into requisition before our return.
The doctor still preserved his professional costume of black--somewhat
russet by long wear--but this was modified by a close-fitting fur cap,
and wrappers of brown cloth, which he wore around his short thick legs.
He was not over-well mounted--a very spare little horse was all he had,
as his funds would not stretch to a better. It was quite a quiet one,
however, and carried the doctor and his "medical saddle-bags" steadily
enough, though not without a good deal of spurring and whipping. The
doctor's name was "Jopper"--Dr John Jopper.
A very elegant youth, with fine features, rolling black eyes, and
luxuriant curled hair, was one of us. The hands were well formed and
delicate; the complexion silky, and of nearly an olive tint; but the
purplish-red broke through upon his cheeks, giving the earnest of
health, as well as adding to the picturesque beauty of his face. The form
was perfect, and full of manly expression, and the pretty sky-blue
plaited pantaloons and close-fitting jacket of the same material, sat
gracefully on his well-turned limbs and arms. These garments were of
"cottonade," that beautiful and durable fabric peculiar to Louisiana, and

so well suited to the southern climate. A costly Panama hat cast its
shadow over the wavy curls and pictured cheek of this youth, and a
cloak of fine broad cloth, with velvet facings, hung loosely from his
shoulders. A slight moustache and imperial lent a manlier expression to
his chiselled features.
This young fellow was a Creole of Louisiana--a student of one of the
Jesuit Colleges of that State--and although very unlike what would be
expected from such a dashing personage, he was an ardent, even
passionate, lover of nature. Though still young, he was the most
accomplished botanist in his State, and had already published several
discoveries in the Flora of the South.
Of course the expedition was to him a delightful anticipation. It would
afford the finest opportunity for prosecuting his favourite study in a
new field; one as yet almost unvisited by the scientific traveller. The
young Creole was known as Jules Besancon.
He was not the only naturalist of the party. Another was with us; one
who had already acquired a world-wide fame; whose name was as
familiar to the savans of Europe as to his own countrymen. He was
already an old man, almost venerable in his aspect, but his tread was
firm, and his arm still strong enough to steady his long, heavy,
double-barrelled rifle. An ample coat of dark blue covered his body; his
limbs were enveloped in long buttoned leggings of drab cloth, and a
cap of sable surmounted his high, broad forehead. Under this his
blueish grey eye glanced with a calm but clear intelligence, and a single
look from it satisfied you that you were in the presence of a superior
mind. Were I to give the name of this person, this would readily be
acknowledged. For certain reasons I cannot do this. Suffice it to say, he
was one of the most distinguished of modern zoologists, and to his love
for the study we were indebted for his companionship upon our hunting
expedition. He was known to us as Mr A-- the "hunter-naturalist."
There was no jealousy between him and the young Besancon. On the
contrary, a similarity of tastes soon brought about a mutual friendship,
and the Creole was observed to treat the other with marked deference
and regard.

I may set myself down as Number 6 of the party. Let a short
description of me suffice. I was then but a young fellow, educated
somewhat better than common; fond of wild sports; not indifferent to a
knowledge of nature;