ADVENTUKES IX LOUISIANA. 185 



In half an hour we were at the Salt Lick, where 

 we found our guide's two sons busy disembowelling 

 and cutting up a fine buck that they had killed, an 

 occupation in which they were so engrossed that they 

 scarce seemed to notice our arrival. We sat down, not 

 a little glad to repose after the fatigues and dangers 

 we had gone through. When hind and fore quarters, 

 breast and back, were all divided in right huntsman- 

 like style, the young men looked at their father. 

 " Will you take a bite and a sup here 1" said the 

 latter, addressing Carleton and myself, " or will you 

 wait till we get home 1 " 



" How far is there still to go 1 " 



" How far ? With a good trotting horse, and a 

 better road, three-quarters of an hour would bring you 

 there. You may reckon it a couple of hours." 



" Then we would prefer eating something here." 



" As you will." 



Without more words, or loss of time, a haunch 

 was cut off one of the hind-quarters ; dry leaves and 

 branches collected ; and in one minute a fire was 

 blazing brightly, the joint turning before it on a 

 wooden spit. In half an hour the party was collected 

 round a roast haunch of venison, which, although 

 eaten without bread or any of the usual condiments, 

 certainly appeared to us to be the very best we had 

 ever tasted. 



