r chanting its endless song on either side of us. During the
evening meal, partaken of amid the gathering shadows of twilight, our
newly discovered friend again evidenced his power as a trencherman.

"_Sacre_!" ejaculated De Noyan in dismay. "I supposed his breakfast
was intended to last the week. We shall need a fleet of boats to
provision the fellow if he keep us company long. How is it, friend
Benteen, are we to enjoy the pleasure of associating with this human
alligator, or do we now part company?"

"That is not yet determined," I replied, smiling at the look of
consternation with which he regarded him. "I will sound the man on the
subject, while he appears in good humor."

I crossed the narrow plat of grass to where our guest sat facing the
remains of his late feast, a look of satisfaction visible upon his
withered countenance.

"My good friend," he exclaimed, observing my approach, "there seems an
over-preponderance of spices in this cured meat; otherwise it meets my
cordial approbation, although your Southern cookery has a peculiarly
greasy flavor to one of my taste in food."

"I failed to observe your refraining from any on account of that
objection," I retorted, deeply amused by his words. "But if you are
completely satisfied, you may be willing to turn a moment to matters of
business, and inform us what you propose doing. In brief, will you
resume your voyage, or is it your desire to cast your lot with us?"

He meditatively stroked the thin red stubble adorning his chin,
contemplating me steadily.

"Doth that which assisteth to nourish and sustain the inner man bid
fair to hold out?" he finally questioned in a tone of anxiety. "I have
need of sufficient food, both temporal and spiritual, and would not
lightly assume any burden of suffering, unless it appear clearly as the
will of God."

"I know not how long we can withstand such onslaughts as those you have
already made," I returned honestly. "We are fairly well provisioned
for present needs, and when farther up the river will feel free to seek
fresh game."

"Ah! you have guns in the party? You will shoot deer--deer!" He
smacked his thin lips greedily. "A nice, fat, juicy steak would not go
bad even now. 'Tis strange how the mind runneth upon such carnal
matters--it remindeth us the flesh is weak. Deer--'tis best turned
upon a spit, with live coats not quite touching it. I would one might
wander before your gun this very night. Young