In a few minutes he was upon the ground, and scattered the wolves as he galloped among them; but once more he had arrived too late.

The body of the antelope was torn to pieces, and more than half devoured; while only half-picked bones and pieces of skin remained to reward him for his long ride! With an ejaculation, which came very near being a French oath, the disappointed hunter turned his horse, and rode slowly back--wishing the wolves far enough as he went.
When he returned, Francois assisted him in his maledictions; for Francois was tired of the bear-meat, and was vexed at being thus a second time cheated out of something fresh for supper.
Lucien, however, assured them both that the flesh of the antelope, as he had heard, was "no great eating," after all; and this, in some degree, pacified them--so that, with a stew of the jerked bear and parsnips, and some pinon bread, which Lucien had prepared according to the Indian fashion, all three made a supper that was not to be sneered at under any circumstances.

When it was eaten, they brought their horses closer to the camp--so as to have them near in case of necessity--and, having wrapped themselves in their blankets, they once more sought the refreshment of sleep..