ALL ALONE IN THE WORLD. 333 



upon the bear's carcass, eagerly tore it in pieces. I had 

 then good reason to congratulate myself on having taken 

 the precaution of hanging to the branches of the oak a 

 few morsels of venison out of the reach of their voracious 

 teeth. It is needless to say that the presence of these 

 animals drove away all inclination to sleep ; for, to say 

 nothing of their frightful howlings, I was also kept awake 

 by the fear of falling plump into the midst of the famished 

 pack, and being devoured. 



At length the morning came : I descended from my 

 tree ; roasted and ate a beefsteak off the bear ; then 

 quitting the valley where I had spent so unpleasant a 

 night, I regained the prairie which I had traversed on 

 the preceding day. The space which extended before 

 me seemed immense ; but, however widely I opened my 

 eyes, not a trace could I discern of a living being. I re- 

 cognized the spot where, the day before, the little fat man 

 had so gallantly fought a bear, and on the ground lay the 

 skeleton of the animal killed by Captain Shark ; the 

 bones had been completely cleaned during the night by 

 the teeth of the cayeutes. Our captain's lance was still 

 fixed in the animal's side, and fixed so firmly that my 

 utmost efforts failed to extract it. 



I climbed again to the top of a tree, and threw my 

 anxious glances around in every direction. 



Alas ! the plain was a boundless solitude, a dreary desert. 

 For a moment I felt as if I were alone in the world ; I 

 imagined that the sun shone only for me ; for me diffused 

 its light and warmth from its watch-tower in the heavens. 

 I remained two days in this vicinity, awaiting the return 

 of my companions ; my supply of bear's flesh became com- 



