BUFFALO HUNTING. 189 



4b 



much for my weakened frame. I threw myself down by 

 the fire, and soon felt another attack of ague. The shiver- 

 ing fit lasted full t\ro hours, and seemed the worst I had 

 ever experienced : it was succeeded by a hot fit, which 

 made me forget ice and snow. Towards evening I was 

 somewhat better, but not in condition to continue my 

 journey ; so I cleared away the snow, piled it up like a 

 wall to keep off the wind, collected a good store of 

 wood and slept calmly and sweetly through the night. 

 Next day the ague had left me, but I felt very weak, 

 and remained all day extended before my warm fire, 

 enjoying my venison. Towards evening I took a little 

 turn for the sake of exercise, and to see if I could get a 

 shot, returning to my old quarters to sleep, and setting 

 out next day for the long desired butfalo. 



I struck off in a southerly direction, and had 

 lounged along for about a couple of hours, when I 

 came to a place where at least twenty of these crea- 

 tures must have passed the previous night. I lost no 

 time in following the broad trail of the herd down the 

 bank of the river. After a time, the trail turned 

 suddenly to the northward. As it grew dark, I 

 lighted a good fire and laid down, having cleared 

 away the snow. It was dreadfully cold. The wolves 

 howled fearfully, but did not come near me. 



After a good breakfast, I again followed up the 

 trail, which ran zigzag and in all directions, and when 

 I laid down again for the night I knew that I could 

 not be very far from my prey. I slept under the 

 shelter of a fallen tree, which kept oif the wind, and 

 the fire burnt brightly. About midnight, the wind 

 changed from north-west to south-west, of which I did 



