GREAT ASTONISHMENT. 231 



" 'Twur somethin' like that, sure enough," replied 

 Jake, "seem' it wur an Injun two o' them at that. 

 The varmints thought to make a raise ; but I guess they 

 had up-hill customers to run agin. They didn't make 

 much o' the spec'lation. No ; that they didn't." 



"What does he mean, Gaultier?" exclaimed Pierre; 

 " surely you haven't killed two Indians during my ab- 

 sence?" 



Gaultier explained all that had taken place, to Pierre's 

 great astonishment. 



" I guess," said Jake, " them varmints 'ud hev wham- 

 melled me over ef Gaultier hedn't seed 'em when he 

 did. I'd a-knowed nothin' o' the bisness till thur bul- 

 lets streaked it through my old brain-box. That's sar- 

 tain sure." 



" Well," said Gaultier, " I think we've waited break- 

 fast long enough, and I vote we just leave these savages 

 where they are, and tackle Pierre's venison ribs." 



The hunters accordingly replenished the camp-fire, 

 and in a few minutes the best morsels of the deer were 

 sputtering over the coals, while the large kettle bubbled 

 and hissed, diffusing an aromatic odour of cafenoir, which 

 smelt gratefully in the nostrils of the hungry party. 



While engaged with their meal they fought their 

 battle over again for Pierre's benefit, and the latter 

 communicated in return an adventure which befell him 

 in pursuit of the deer whose ribs all three were so 

 keenly enjoying. 



