And where is Peter Crow ? '' `` Probably the ponies have strayed away looking for pea vines . They love and adore pea vines , '' said Kate , stirring up the fire from under its blanket of grey ashes . `` And Peter Crow has gone to look for them , good old fellow . When you do get a conscientious Indian there is no better guide in the world , but they are rare . Now , Philippa-girl , just pry out the sergeant 's ham and shave a few slices off it for our breakfast . Some savoury fried ham always goes well on the prairie . '' I went for the ham but could not find it . A thorough search among our effects revealed it not . `` Kate , I ca n't find the ham , '' I called out . `` It must have fallen out somewhere on the trail . '' Kate ceased wrestling with the fire and came to help in the search for the missing delicacy . `` It could n't have fallen out , '' she said incredulously . `` That is impossible . The tent was fastened securely over everything . Nothing could have jolted out . '' `` Well , then , where is the ham ? '' I said . That question was unanswerable , as Kate discovered after another thorough search . The ham was gone -- that much was certain .
`` I believe Peter Crow has levanted XXXXX the ham , '' I said decidedly .
Crow Philippa-girl among for in off on over pea with