text: One day, when the wood was stacked high on the river bank, Grit said, "Paulie, I think it's time we learned to use these rifles. Let's put a sign up that says, 'Wood, $7.50 a cord. Leave money under this log,' and we'll take the day off and see if we can find some sort of meat to add to our diet."
  
  "Oh, I'd like that, Grit."
  
  "Go make the sign with a piece of charcoal, Paulie, and we'll be off to hunt down a bison or deer. Let's go up onto the plains and see what's up there once we're out of the river valley. I've always wondered what it was like up there."
  
  They wandered up out of the river valley and saw a vast plain with isolated patches of fir and pine trees. About two miles from their camp, they topped a hill and saw five Indians skinning two bison.
  
  "Get down," Grit said. "I think they're friendly, but I don't know anything about these Indians."
  
  As they crouched down, Paulie said, "We didn't have any trouble with the Yankton Sioux, but these Indians seem a different sort."
  
  They sat and observed for some time as the Indians butchered the buffalo. "Look at that," Paulie said. "They're eatin' that meat raw."
  
  "I think that's the liver they're tearing into," Grit said.
  
  Eventually, the two hunters eased back down the hill and walked down into the river valley. "Well, so much for hunting," Grit said.
  
  "Let's go back, and I'll cook some dinner for us," Paulie said. As they were approaching the campsite, they came through the woods and saw a lone doe eating grass right near the bay horse. They both stopped and got down low.
  
  "She's yours, Paulie," Grit whispered. "Line up your shot and hit her right behind the front leg."
  
  Grit aimed at the doe just in case, but Paulie fired and the doe took two steps, stumbled and dropped.
  
  "I got her," Paulie said. "We'll have some meat tonight."
  
  "That was a nice shot, Paulie," Grit said.
  
  They both enjoyed their time around the fire that night. They were exhausted but full of venison and were having an extra cup of hot Arbuckles before going off to their blankets.
  
  "How's the horse comin'?" Grit asked. "I was lookin' at him today, and he's got a powerful scar, and I guess he always will have, but it looks like he's about healed up."
  
  "Yeah, he's about healed," Paulie said. "But he still shys when I touch the wound, so I dab on the ointment with a little stick and leave him. Sometimes I give him a little chunk off the sugar loaf, and he takes it right out of my hand. I wish we had a saddle. I'd ride him a little. Not that I have time to ride, but maybe I could take an hour now and then."
  
  "That's a great idea," Grit said. "When we go back to Yankton, we'll get you a saddle."