Maxey 203 



Mountain Jim had a fair store of provisions, but 

 it was not inexhaustible. Herbert readily saw this, 

 and tried to accommodate himself to the situation ; 

 but the rough mountaineer would not listen to his 

 protestations. He insisted that Herbert should share 

 with him. But Herbert was worried about Maxey. 

 The supply of bunch-grass had been used up the 

 second day ; the storm prevented any foraging out- 

 side, and the patient animal showed the effects of 

 hunger in every line of his serious face. Herbert at 

 length suggested to the owner of the cabin that he 

 permit him to take his portion of hoe-cake in the 

 form of meal, as it would probably answer his pur- 

 pose quite as well. The bearded fellow stopped 

 shaking the pan in which he was frying bacon, and 

 looked sharply at his companion for a moment. 



' I understand yer,' he said, ' an' yer right. But 

 yer ain't goin' to play no lone hand, I kin tell yer. 

 If yer divide yer meal with Mixey, as you call him, 

 Mountain Jim does the same, and make no mistake.' 



Herbert protested, but it was useless ; and there- 

 after, for two days, the little burro fared daintily 

 though sparingly. One half of each man's portion 



