t that piece o' bone."

The Coco took an arrow from the quiver, and tried the head with the
assaying liquid. It proved to be a hunting-shaft; and, adjusting it to
the string, he sent it through the body of a white wolf, killing it
instantly. He took up the shaft again, and wiping the feather, shot
another, and another, until the bodies of five or six of these animals
lay stretched upon the ground.

"Kill a coyote when ye're about it," shouted one of the hunters;
"gentlemen like we oughter have leastwise two courses to our dinner."

The men laughed at this rough sally; and El Sol, smiling, again picked
up the arrow, and sent it whizzing through the body of one of the
coyotes.

"I think that will be enough for one meal, at all events," said El Sol,
recovering the arrow, and putting it back into the quiver.

"Ay!" replied the wit; "if we wants more we kin go back to the larder
agin. It's a kind o' meat that eats better fresh, anyhow."

"Well, it diz, hoss. Wagh! I'm in for a griskin o' the white. Hyar
goes!"

The hunters, laughing at the humour of their comrades, drew their
shining knives, and set about skinning the wolves. The adroitness with
which this operation was performed showed that it was by no means new to
them.

In a short time the animals were stripped of their hides and quarters;
and each man, taking his quarter, commenced roasting it over the fire.

"Fellers! what d'ye call this anyhow? Beef or mutton?" asked one, as
they began to eat.

"Wolf-mutton, I reckin," was the reply.

"It's dog-gone good eatin', I say; peels off as tender as squ'll."

"It's some'ut like goat, ain't it?"

"Mine tastes more like dog to me."

"It ain't bad at all; better than poor bull any day."

"I'd like it a heap better if I war sure the thing hadn't been up to yon
varmint on the rocks." And the man who said this pointed to the
skeleton of the Digger.

The idea was horrible, and under other circumstances would have acted as
a sufficient emetic.

"Wagh!" exclaimed a hunter; "ye've most taken away my stammuck. I was
a-goin' to try the coyoat afore ye spoke. I won't now, for I seed them
smellin' about him afore we rid off."

"I say, old case, you don't mind it, do ye?"

This was addressed to Rube, who was busy on his rib and made no reply.

"He? not he," said another, answering for him. "Rube's ate a heap o'
queery tit-bits in his time. Hain't ye, Rube?"

"Ay, an' afore yur be as long in the mounta