then
trudged off; for meat must be had, even at the expense of cartridges,
both for the wounded man and the remainder of the family.

An hour later Dick returned with two rabbits; and when these had been
made ready for cooking, he clambered into the wagon to see his father.

The invalid looked more comfortable, even though nothing had been done
for his relief save to cleanse the wound, and dress it in such fashion
as was possible; but he was still in the delirium, and after kissing
the pale forehead, Dick went to where his mother was making ready for
the long-delayed meal.

"I don't reckon there's a bit of anything to eat, mother?"

"I shall soon have these rabbits cooked."

"But I must be off after larger game, and don't want to wait till
dinner is ready."

"You need the food, Dickey, and there is only a tiny bit of bread."

"Give me that, mother dear. It will stop the hole in my stomach for a
spell, and when I come back there'll be plenty of time to eat meat."

Had the circumstances been one whit less grave, Mrs. Stevens would not
have consented to his setting out before having eaten a hearty meal;
but she knew that more meat would soon be needed, since they had no
other food, and two rabbits would hardly provide the famishing ones
with enough to stay their hunger for the time being.

The piece of bread, baked the day previous from the last of their
store of flour, was brought out; and, munching it slowly that it might
seem to be more, Dick started off again.

Not until nearly nightfall did he return; but he had with him such
portion of a deer's carcass as he could drag, and all fear of
starvation was banished from camp.

The wounded man was resting more comfortably, if such term can be
applied properly when one is suffering severest pain; and after
hanging the meat beneath the wagon, Dick questioned his mother as to
what might be done if they were within reach of a physician.

"If we could see one, Dickey, your father's life might be saved, for
such a wound should not be exceedingly dangerous. If I knew how to
treat it, and had the proper washes, we ought to nurse him back to
life; but as it is, I haven't even that which would check the fever."

"If you could talk to a doctor would it be all right?"

"I believe so, Dickey."

"Would the medecine you want cost very much?"

"It is the same to us whether the price be much or little, since we
haven't the opportunity to get what is needed, nor the money