My First Kill 25 



going almost due east on the south side of the 

 ridge. I determined to stalk these four, because 

 I could keep the north side of the ridge, out of 

 sight, and to leeward, feeling certain they would 

 sooner or later turn north to rejoin the main 

 herd. It seemed my best chance. I perfectly 

 realized the risk I ran in separating from the 

 Indians ; but at that moment nothing appeared 

 so important as getting a musk-ox, for which I 

 had now travelled nearly twelve hundred miles 

 on snow-shoes. 



I have done a deal of hunting in my life, over 

 widely separated and trackless sections, and had 

 my full share of hard trips; but never shall I 

 forget the run along that ridge. It called for 

 more heart and more strength than any situation 

 I ever faced. Already I had run, I suppose, about 

 five miles when I started after those four musk- 

 oxen ; and when the first enthusiasm had passed, 

 it seemed as though I must give it up. Such 

 fatigue I had never dreamed of. I have no idea 

 how much farther I ran, — three or four more 

 miles, likely, — but I do remember that after a 

 time the fancy possessed me that those four 

 musk-oxen and I were alone on earth, that they 

 knew I was after their heads, and were luring me 



