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Show THE CONFESSION. 303 it was thought enough game could be killed to supply two men. "But the compact was speedily broken. After living several days on roots, they reached a huge lake, which was skirted on one side by an extensive grove of hemlock trees. One day, while camped in this grove, Bell arose, seized his rifle, and exclaimed, ' I can't stand this any longer; one of us must make food for the other right here.' 1 He clubbed his gun and endeavored to strike me. Being always on the alert, I parried the blow, and the rifle was broken by striking a tree. I then struck Bell with a hatchet and killed him. I was alone, and had no fear of death except by starvation. Cutting up the body of my companion, I ate as much as I could, and then packed away considerable of the flesh about me for future use. I then resumed my tramp, the sole survivor of a party of six, and in time, from the top of a hill, espied the buildings of the Los Pinos agency close at hand. I threw away the human flesh I still had, and arrived at the agency safe and sound.' "He acknowledged that he had grown quite fond of human flesh, and coolly said that he found the breasts of the man the sweetest meat he had ever tasted. "Such was Packer's story, coolly and carelessly related. " Two different stories he had told the General, which convinced him that his confession was false. "He agreed to guide a party of six men to the spot. Mr. H. Lauter had charge of the company, which started for the camp of the lost comrades. Packer led them to a high, inaccessible mountain, and then claimed to be bewildered and unable to go farther. While on the trip he made an attempt to kill Mr. Lauter. They were sleeping |
