"We will prove it to them, captain, and I will take it on myself."
"In that case, you will set out directly, while we proceed through this forest, which seems the most entangled that I ever saw."
"One moment—hang it!" Wilhelm exclaimed; "do you not see, captain, that breakfast is ready?"
In fact, Wilhelm, as a man who did not care to run after adventures on an empty stomach, had blown up the fire smouldering in the ashes, and roasted some superb slices of bear meat.
"Wilhelm, you are growing greedy," said Leon, affecting a tone of reproach.
"Captain, when a man has his stomach full he can march a long distance without feeling fatigued," the German answered sententiously; "besides, the morning air sharpens the appetite."
"Very good, then, but we must make haste," Leon resumed, amazed at this long sentence.
"There, captain, it is first-rate."
Wilhelm had spoken the truth in asserting that the morning air sharpened the appetite, for, in spite of the toughness of the meat which composed the staple of their meal, it was disposed of in a twinkling, which leads to the supposition that the idea which the German had was not inopportune.
"Giacomo," Leon said again, "Wilhelm and I have provisions enough for a few days, and the forest will not let us want for game, if we require it; so you had better take the rest of the bear with you."