The result was that within five minutes he had killed thirteen rabbits.
Everyone that was struck was taken, and to the true hunter, who never inflicts an unnecessary wound on the animals he hunts, this is always a great satisfaction.
Ike was disappointed that he had not been permitted to try "her," as he called his old shot-gun, on the game; but, as he picked up the goodly load of rabbits and carried it back to camp, it would be difficult to imagine a more delighted fellow.
It is said that "it never rains but it pours," and this seemed to be the case with the sudden turn in the tide of good luck that had set in toward our unfortunate friends.
When they got back to camp, they found that Wah Shin had been testing the fish lines and flies, which they had scarcely thought of up to this time, and with such unexpectedly good luck that he had landed two fine trout and was in the act of pulling in the third when Ike came to sight laden down with game.
The least ray of light is cheering to those who have been long in darkness; and the briefest cessation from pain is like Heaven to those groaning in agony! so the prospect of food—a prospect made all the more delightful by the gnawing hunger each felt so keenly—made them forget for the time all the trials they had passed and the uncertain future that lay before them.
Even the fire blazed up cheerily as if in sympathy with their feelings, and Maj lay down like a faithful scout, who has guided the famished into a land—of rabbits.
In almost as short a time as it takes to tell it, the rabbits and the fish were cooking.
We shall not attempt to describe that feast, for there are some things impossible to even our expressive English tongue.
Suffice it to say, each ate all he could, with a result that "made away" with one half the supply on hand.