“Fetch it, pup,” cried Dick eagerly as the dog came up.

In a few moments the hen was at his feet.  Dick’s circumstances could not brook the delay of cookery; he gashed the bird with his knife and drank the blood, and then gave the flesh to the dog, while he crept to the pool again for another draught.  Ah! think not, reader, that although we have treated this subject in a slight vein of pleasantry, because it ended well, that therefore our tale is pure fiction.  Not only are Indians glad to satisfy the urgent cravings of hunger with raw flesh, but many civilized men and delicately nurtured have done the same—­ay, and doubtless will do the same again, as long as enterprising and fearless men shall go forth to dare the dangers of flood and field in the wild places of our wonderful world!

Crusoe had finished his share of the feast before Dick returned from the pool.  Then master and dog lay down together side by side and fell into a long, deep, peaceful slumber.

CHAPTER XV.

Health and happiness return—­Incidents of the journey_—­A buffalo shot—­A wild horse “creased"—­Dick’s battle with a mustang.

Dick Varley’s fears and troubles, in the meantime, were ended.  On the day following he awoke refreshed and happy—­so happy and light at heart, as he felt the glow of returning health coursing through his veins, that he fancied he must have dreamed it all.  In fact, he was so certain that his muscles were strong that he endeavoured to leap up, but was powerfully convinced of his true condition by the miserable stagger that resulted from the effort.

However, he knew he was recovering, so he rose, and thanking God for his recovery, and for the new hope that was raised in his heart, he went down to the pool and drank deeply of its water.  Then he returned, and, sitting down beside his dog, opened the Bible and read long—­and, for the first time, earnestly—­the story of Christ’s love for sinful man.  He at last fell asleep over the book, and when he awakened felt so much refreshed in body and mind that he determined to attempt to pursue his journey.

He had not proceeded far when he came upon a colony of prairie-dogs.  Upon this occasion he was little inclined to take a humorous view of the vagaries of these curious little creatures, but he shot one, and, as before, ate part of it raw.  These creatures are so active that they are difficult to shoot, and even when killed generally fall into their holes and disappear.  Crusoe, however, soon unearthed the dead animal on this occasion.  That night the travellers came to a stream of fresh water, and Dick killed a turkey, so that he determined to spend a couple of days there to recruit.  At the end of that time he again set out, but was able only to advance five miles when he broke down.  In fact, it became evident to him that he must have a longer period of absolute repose ere he could hope to continue his journey; but to do so without food was impossible.  Fortunately there was plenty of water, as his course lay along the margin of a small stream, and, as the arid piece of prairie was now behind him, he hoped to fall in with birds, or perhaps deer, soon.