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"Bess, didn't you say you were tired of rabbit?" inquired Venters "And quail and beaver?"

"Indeed I did"

"What would you like?"

"I'm tired of meat, but if we have to live on it I'd like some beef"

"Well, how does that strike you?" Venters pointed to the quarter hanging from the spruce-tree "We'll have fresh beef for a few days, then we'll cut the rest into strips and dry it"

"Where did you get that?" asked Bess, slowly

"I stole that fro"

"You went back to the canyon--you risked--" While she hesitated the tinge of bloom faded out of her cheeks

"It wasn't any risk, but it was hard work"

"I'et that beef?"

"Last night"

"While I was asleep?"