While out on this little pleasure excursion we ate horse, mule, wolf, wild-cat, mountain sheep, rose seed buds, raw-hide, a squirrel, fatty matter from the sockets of the mule's eyes and the marrow from his bones; but that ham of wild-cat was certainly the most detestable thing that I ever undertook to eat.

The marrow from the mule's bones was a real luxury.
We now had a pretty good stock of food, such as it was, but not enough to carry us through the winter on full rations; therefore we determined to try to add to it by hunting.

One was to go out and hunt while the other would remain at home: we now had undisputed possession of the fort and it was our home.

Field took the first day's outing while I occupied my time in drying and smoking meat.

Late in the evening he returned, tired and worn out, having seen nothing worth shooting.
Next day came my turn to hunt.