332 hunger's extremes. 



Those were none such : they were the bones of a 

 human being ; for when I went to the house I also 

 saw those bones in the ashes, and received a like 

 answer to yours, but, taking a piece of skin and 

 putting it to roast at the fire, I let it fall as if by 

 accident, then raking among the ashes with a stick, 

 I turned the bones over, and saw that they were 

 certainly those of a human being. My father, I am an 

 Indian ; yet, trust what I say, one has eaten the other." 

 In five days, according to promise, Mr. P. returned 

 to the Fort, having existed meanwhile on an occa- 

 sional partridge or rabbit. On entering the house he 

 found the poor fellow lying before the fire, totally 

 unable to help himself, and now told him that, since 

 he found him so weak, henceforward, " live or die, he 

 would leave him no more." He managed to shoot a 

 raven for him, and went to fetch wood and water, 

 and to try for some game. Returning sooner than 

 was expected, and opening the door quickly and wide, 

 as had lately been his custom, he saw the kettle on 

 the fii-e, and on inquiry, was answered that it 

 contained merely water ; but, going to the pot, he saw 

 that it held something more — and, searching the inside 

 of the kettle, horrible to tell, drew out a whole liver. 

 Paralyzed by this dreadful sight, he could not speak, 

 while the poor starving wretch, now discovered in the 



