Elk steaks and an Irish stew, the latter to be made of elk chops, onions and the prized yams; this was the bill of fare expected.

But, misericordia! what a change cone over the yams when boiled! they turned a beautiful slate color, and looked like imitations of their former selves in lead.
Their appearance was uncommonly bad, certainly.

There were three of us to feed upon them, viz., Palliser, my huntsman Benton and myself.

No one wishing to be first, it was then, I confess, that the thought just crossed my mind that Benton should make the experiment, but, repenting at the same moment, I punished myself by eating a very little one on the spot.

Benton, who was blessed with a huge appetite, picked out a big one.