802 THE CHANCE SHOT. 



we wer* enabled to make further headway -than the preceding one. We 

 also saw a few ravens, but they, as if ccinscious of our desperate condition, 

 cautiouelj avoided coming within gnn-shot j— a big rabbit hkewise showed 

 itself in th,> distance, but, being at tlie top of its speed, disappeared almost 

 as soon as feen ; — thus we were again doomed to go supperless to bed and 

 feast upon t-^e well-furnished tables of dreams, wliich, tJiough they please 

 the fancy d(>ring their continuance, serve only to increase the appetita 

 and stimulatft its cravings. 



On the moi ""ing of the fifth day, as we arose to continue our journey, 

 determined to aoM out as long as possible, the haggard looks of my con>- 

 rade excited ii^\ compassion, and wishing to cheer him, I observed, 



" Well, wha would you think were I to predict for us a good supper to- 



** Really," sai. h«, " I don't know. But there's a poor show for its ful 

 filment, any how ' 



"We shall hav\ one, I know it." 



" God send we n-.ay. But, pray, where is it to come from. 



" I am quite confid.iint we shall find game. If so, as my rifle bears tim 

 name of Old Straights 'le/, and it has never been known to fail in a case o^ 

 emergency, I know sb.' will maintain her ancient honor." 



" What if we don't fiud game ! Then how." 



" Why, here's my horsi. It will be of no service to me if I am to di^ 

 from starvation. Incase w< fiud nothing, its carcase shall save our lives.' 



"Horse meat or any thiuj^- ehe wouldn't go bad, just at this time." 



Thus resolved, we coniinuw«d our r-ay, plodding along in gloomy silence 

 brooding over the sad realities of oi'r deplorable siiuation,— ever and anon 

 Bcanning the vacant expanse, in the fasi-wining hope of looked-for reliei" 

 ^but as yet looked for in vain. 



The day was fast verging to a cl(we, an^' I was summoning a sufficiea 

 cy of fortitude to submit to the sacrifiC"« jf ray favorite beast, and rural 

 nating upon the many difficulties ana incon enleuces that must resu> 

 from such a step, volving and revolving al- tho p^-os and cons the cas« 

 admitted of, when I was roused from my re^'eiie Ly the shrill voice of □>) 

 comrade, who joyfully exclaimed, 



" Look ! — look ! A buffalo !" — at the same time pointing in the direc 

 tion it appeared. 



I looked, and sure enough a venerable old bull p«^seat64 hixiseif a feu 

 hundred yards to the right. 



" Aye, aye, my hearty ! There's a chance for Old Straij^htcnei !" ssir 

 I, as, lowering my rifle, I started towards the intended victim. 



" Don't foiget," cried my comrade, " that all my hopes of salvation aa 

 centred in your rifle-ball." 



The animal was feeding quietly, and I was enabled to approach withis 

 some sixty yaids of him, when levelling, I pulled trigger, — but the cap 

 being damp, burst without a discharge. The noise caught the quick ea- 

 of the buffalo, and caused him to look round ; — however, seeing nothing; 

 to excite his alarm, he soon resumed an employment more agreeable U 

 his taste than needless vigilance. 



Having put fresh powder into the tube, and supplied it with another ca« 

 I was again raising to take aim, and had brought my piece nearly h&U 



