The Indian finding this unsuccessful, increased the speed of his nag to a gallop—but in vain; I was as securely fixed behind, as the Old Man of the Sea, to the shoulders of Sinbad. At length he gave up, and checking his horse sprang off. As he did this I slid forward into his seat. I felt some twinges respecting my ungrateful conduct, but my weariness overcame them. My next object was to gain something to eat; for notwithstanding the squirrel, I felt a vacuum within, that required filling. I observed that my fellow traveller carried a bundle of dried venison, slung from his shoulder. I accordingly signified to him that I had eaten nothing for two days—at the same time pointing to the venison: but the fellow was obstinate; he shook his head, and afterwards whenever I started the subject, he looked in a different direction. Finding that fair means were of no avail, I determined to try what foul could do. As I was mounted, I resolved that he should think I intended to scamper off with his horse: so I thumped my rifle against his ribs, and scoured along the trail at full gallop. The moment I started, the Indian followed, with a speed that almost equalled that of the pony; but unfortunately for himself, his wind was soon exhausted. He then began to think of a compromise, and at last with much reluctance, loosed a piece of the deer’s flesh, and held it up towards me, at the same time signifying by his gestures, that if I would stop, he would give me a portion. This was all that I desired; and pulling in the horse, I received the venison, and dismounted—relinquishing the nag to his owner. He, however, thinking the treaty between us, not yet sufficiently ratified, immediately lit his pipe, and passed it to me for a second smoke. We then set out, and at dusk reached a small wood: here the Indian hobbled his horse, and throwing a few sticks together, he kindled a fire. He then offered me a small piece of venison, which he had broiled upon the coals; after which he drew his blanket round him, and stretched himself at full length on one side of the fire, while I threw myself across my rifle, on the other. I must have slept for an hour. When I awoke it was intensely cold, the fire having burnt very low. My companion lay exactly as I left him when going to sleep; he did not seem to notice that the fire was expiring, nor did the cold seem to affect him. I rose up and stood over him; but he did not move. I then stirred him with my foot, and shouted to him—at the same time motioning to him, to assist in collecting wood to keep alive the fire. He apparently was aware of my object, for all I could elicit, was a grunt; nor would he even open his eyes to look at me. So in no very pleasant humour, I went in search of fuel, taking my rifle with me.