I thought we were done for , but my brave pal says : `` Now I 'll show you how we can live till we find the herds . '' We were unsaddling for the night by a little pond ; there was n't a living creature in sight anywhere , not even a bird , and we could see for miles over the prairies . What do you think we did ? ' And Dan looked into the faces round him . ` Ate worms like the Australian fellows , ' said Rob . ` Boiled grass or leaves , ' added Mrs Jo . ` Perhaps filled the stomach with clay , as we read of savages doing ? ' suggested Mr Bhaer . ` Killed one of the horses , ' cried Ted , eager for bloodshed of some sort . ` No ; but we bled one of them . See , just here ; filled a tin cup , put some wild sage leaves in it , with water , and heated it over a fire of sticks . It was good , and we slept well . ' ' I guess Octoo did n't . ' And Josie patted the animal , with a face full of sympathy . ` Never minded it a bit . Black Hawk said we could live on the horses several days and still travel before they felt it . But by another morning we found the buffalo , and I shot the one whose head is in my box , ready to hang up and scare brats into fits . He 's a fierce old fellow , you bet . ' ` What is this strap for ? ' asked Ted , who was busily examining the Indian saddle , the single rein and snaffle , with lariat , and round the neck the leather band he spoke of .
` We hold on to that when we lie along the horse 's flank farthest from the enemy , and XXXXX under the neck as we gallop round and round .
Australian Dan Hawk Josie Octoo Ted brats days fire morning