y reach, and I was too weak to follow it to any
distance. I therefore let the fight proceed, hoping that I might
benefit by the utter exhaustion of the two parties, as is often the case
when nations go to war, and a third interferes to reap an advantage from
the folly of the others. I had to restrain my impatience for some
minutes while the furious struggle continued.

The bird now made an attempt to rise, but it seemed to me that the lynx
held it fast. I could restrain myself no longer, and, grasping my
stick, I rushed forward. Both creatures saw me coming. The lynx got on
its feet, but before it could make a single bound a well-directed blow
on its back laid it dead on the snow. The eagle, to my surprise, did
not fly off, and I now saw that one of its wings was broken. It still
presented too formidable a front to be approached unless with due
caution, for its beak might inflict a serious wound.

Holding my stick ready, I swung it with all my force against its head,
and the bird rolled over stunned. As it might quickly come to, I
immediately drew my knife and severed the head from the body.

I was too hungry, however, to stop and examine either the eagle or the
lynx, except to ascertain that the latter was perfectly dead. A few
cuts of my knife soon settled that point, and then eagerly taking up the
hare, I hurried with it back to the fire. I did not stop to skin it
very artistically, but running a spit through the body, I at once placed
it to roast--camp fashion--on two forked sticks. I watched it eagerly
for a few minutes, when, unable longer to resist the cravings of hunger,
I cut off one of the legs, which I devoured nearly raw.

The keenness of my appetite being satisfied, I felt that I could wait
till the rest was more properly cooked. I now bethought me that it
would be wise, while the hare was roasting, to bring in the lynx, at all
events; for though not dainty food, I had seen Indians eat the flesh of
the animal, and it was very possible that wolves might be attracted to
the spot and deprive me of it.

I might have to wait a long time before my larder was supplied in so
curious a manner as it had been on this occasion. I therefore hastened
back to where I had left the lynx. As I got up to it, I saw in the
distance an animal which I felt nearly sure was a wolf. I must get back
to the fire with my game, or the wolf might deprive me of it.

Shouldering the lynx, the weight of which was as much