146 IN THE OLD WEST 



revolting extremity of sacrificing one of the party 

 to save the lives of all. To this, however, there 

 was a murmur of dissent, and it was finally re- 

 solved that all should sally out and hunt, for a 

 deer-track had been discovered near the camp, 

 which, although it was not a fresh one, proved 

 that there must be game in the vicinity. Weak 

 and exhausted as they were, they took their rifles 

 and started for the neighboring uplands, each 

 taking a different direction. 



It was nearly sunset when La Bonte returned 

 to the camp, where he already espied one of his 

 companions engaged in cooking something over 

 the fire. Hurrying to the spot, overjoyed with 

 the anticipations of a feast, he observed that the 

 squaws were gone ; but, at the same time, thought 

 it was not improbable they had escaped during 

 their absence. Approaching the fire, he observed 

 Forey broiling some meat on the embers, whilst 

 at a little distance lay what he fancied was the 

 carcass of a deer. 



" Hurrah, boy ! " he exclaimed, as he drew near 

 the fire. " You've made a raise, I see." 



" Well, I have," rejoined the other, turning his 

 meat with the point of his butcher-knife. 

 *' There's the meat, boss — help yourself." 



La Bonte drew his knife from the scabbard, 

 and approached the spot his companion was 

 pointing to ; but what was his horror to see the 

 yet quivering body of one of the Indian squaws, 



