76 THE EASTEEN HUNTERS. 



although he has got a treble share, and has oiily a 

 few mouths in his house to feed ; " and he pointed 

 to the unusually large share beside him. 



" Patell, how is this ? " Mackenzie demanded of a 

 lean hungry-looking old man. " Your share seems 

 a very ample one." 



The Patell looked rather i ashamed, and would 

 willingly have now contented himself with the 

 portion assigned him. Thus directly appealed to, 

 however, he deemed it incumbent on him to defend 

 his covetousness, and commenced therefore a voluble 

 statement. Other standers-by were at once set off, 

 moved by their desire to refute the Patell's line of 

 argument, and the controversy seemed likely to rage 

 as loudly as before. But Mackenzie, in a stentorian 

 voice, commanded silence. It was his object to 

 keep on good terms with the village head-man, 

 whose influence it was desirable to retain in their 

 behalf, as he might throw many obstructions in the 

 way of procuring supplies and beaters, if rendered 

 sulky. In a tone, therefore, of gravity, becoming 

 the importance of the subject, Mac addressed the 

 assembly : " As the portions of the meat," he said, 

 " appear to be so well divided, one lot could only be 

 increased by cutting little strips from each of the 

 others, and that would spoil good flesh. So my 

 advice is, that all should be now accepted without 



