A Bear-Hunt in the Sierras 



grasses, none so sweet as those which are 

 found at a great altitude ; and, although the 

 prevailing tint under foot is that of the red- 

 dish earth, tufts of succulent feed abound suf- 

 ficient to repay the sheep for cruising every- 

 where, while occasional glades furnish the most 

 delicious and abundant pasturage. As in every 

 forest, the processes of nature are slow — it takes 

 a long time for the dead past to bury its dead. 

 On every side lie fallen trees ; and a genera- 

 tion of rain and snow, sunshine and wind and 

 tempest, must elapse before these are rotted 

 away, and by the enrichment of the soil can 

 furnish nourishment and life to their progeny 

 and successors. Naturally these trees are a 

 hindrance and annoyance to the sheep herder; 

 they separate his flock and greatly increase his 

 labors. The land is not even his master's, 

 whose one idea is temporary gain, hence there 

 is no restraining influence whatever for their 

 preservation. "So long as it lasts my lifetime, 

 what matter?" is the prevailing sentiment. 



As there is no rain during the summer 

 months, the fallen trees become perfectly dry; 

 a handful of lighted twigs is all that is re- 

 quired to set fire to them, when they blaze or 

 smoulder until consumed. Owing to the ab- 



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