Hunting in Many Lands 



and to hurry over the mountain by moonlight 

 with our trophy, a junk of rank meat for such 

 as might desire it not forgotten. 



We were cordially welcomed back to camp, 

 and, after the usual pow-wow, the cook, with 

 due formality, with Mexican chile and Spanish 

 politeness, proceeded to concoct the boasted 

 chile con oso — a much overrated dish when 

 made of a touofh old cinnamon he bear. After 

 I had turned in I heard much laughter, and 

 subsequently learned that it was at an incident 

 of the day. As we were starting out in the 

 afternoon, and before we had struck the bear's 

 trail, in order to avoid any possibility of a pre- 

 mature shot I had casually inquired of Leon- 

 ard if he wished to earn five dollars. 



"Certainly, Sefior, I am always glad to get 

 the chance." 



"Well, don't shoot then until I give the 

 word, and you shall have it." 



This circumstance Leonard had innocently 

 narrated to the group around the camp-fire 

 in the fuller elaboration of the hunt, and the 

 story had an immediate success, the idea seem- 

 ing to prevail that nothing in the world could 

 have tempted him to fire before he was com- 

 pelled to — which, as a matter of fact, I think 



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