THE WOLF HUNTERS 



man! it was horrible! I hope I may never come 

 so nigh suffocation again. 



"After the fire had passed and I began to 

 breathe again, I felt weak and all gone, like I 

 hadn't strength enough to crawl out of the carcass. 

 I wondthered whether you would ever find my re- 

 mains. I laid there awhile and by and by I began 

 to feel better, and then I crawfished out back- 

 wards. After shaking myself together I says to 

 myself, says I, * Never say die, Jacky boy! You're 

 better than two dead men yet, so you are!' And 

 picking up my carbine I made a brave stagger for 

 camp, but if you hadn't met me with the horse 

 it's a long time I'd 'a' been getting here, so I 

 would." 



242 



