American Big Game in its Haunts 



same time was disappointed to find that in the 

 inner bays there was no trace of spring, and that 

 the snow lay deep even on the shores down to the 

 high water mark. Not a bear's track was to be 

 seen, and it was evident that we were on the 

 grounds ahead of time. 



We stopped for tea and lunch about noon at the 

 head of the bay. Near by a long and narrow arm 

 of water extended inland some three miles, and it 

 was the country lying adjacent to this and to the 

 head of the bay that I decided to choose as my 

 hunting grounds. 



We had a hard time to reach camp that night, 

 for a severe storm suddenly burst upon us, and a 

 fierce wind soon swept down from the hills, kick- 

 ing up a heavy sea which continually swept over 

 the baidarka's deck, and without kamlaykas on 

 we surely should have swamped. It grew bitterly 

 cold, and a blinding snow storm made it impossi- 

 ble to see any distance ahead, but Ignati knew these 

 waters well, and safely, but half frozen, we reached 

 the main camp just at dark. 



Next day the storm continued, and it was 

 impossible to venture out. My friend and I 

 passed the time playing piquet, and listening to our 

 natives, who talked earnestly together, going over 

 many of their strange and thrilling hunting ex- 



ii6 



