What does Jason use his earnings for and why does he end up collapsed on the trail?

Hawthorn uses the money he made with Robinson and Bailey to buy food for himself and the dog, plus warm clothes and blankets. Hawthorn decides to splurge on a meal in a restaurant. The steak Hawthorn eats is rancid, and soon Hawthorn is stricken by food poisoning. Hawthorn becomes so sick that he collapses on the trail.