"I've been living on iron rations for two days because bears ate up our fresh stuff and tried to eat the mess kits too.

Hulloa, Tom!" "What luck ?" asked Tom, after shaking hands.
"The best.

We have met the enemy and he's 'ourn,' as Mother Shafto would say.

Don't ask me a question until my stomach begins to function." A luncheon was quickly prepared, and Hippy had plenty of attention, all the girls standing about while he ate, ready hands passing food until Hippy could eat no more.
"Where's that pesky Indian ?" demanded the guide, frowning.
"He is coming along with a bunch of men and supplies to show them the way to our claim.

Twenty jacks, a cook and a fiddler will be here late this afternoon, together with a knock-down bunk-house, sufficient food supplies for two weeks, tools, and I've got a supply of cash to pay the hands.