252 WILD SPORTS IN THE FAR WEST. 



As we had traversed the country in a circle, we were 

 not fur from our last night's camp. I helped him to it 

 as well as I could, and both being hungry, we roasted 

 the turkey. But Curly had lost all heart for shooting, 

 and, with the help of a big stick, limped slowly home- 

 wards, where he could lay up his leg to nurse. I could 

 not tear myself away so soon, and continued my sport 

 alone. 



As the sky grew cloudy and threatening, I made a 

 tent of my blanket, and collected wood enough to defy 

 any quantity of rain that might fall. When all this 

 was arranged, I went to the tree where I had left my 

 venison and skin, and to give Bearsgrease another feed 

 from the carcase. But I was too late ; the vultures 

 had left nothing but the bones, and had torn the skin 

 on the tree, which, however, I was in time to rescue, 

 and hanging it over my shoulders, with the legs safe in 

 my arms, I returned to my camp. Having made a 

 good fire, and roasted a slice of meat, the coffee being 

 all gone, and the bread reduced to one small piece, I 

 fed my dog, and lay down to repose. About midnight 

 I was awakened by a formidable thunderstorm. Bears- 

 grease began to howl dreadfully, and close behind me 

 an oak burst into flames. Flash followed lla>h, while 

 the thunder was incessant; the whole forest seemed to 

 swim in a lake of fiery brimstone, the rain poured in 

 torrents, and the little stream swelled to a foaming 

 river. "\Vhen the storm ceased, silence and darkness 

 took its place, only disturbed by the rustling of the 

 rain falling perpendicularly on the leaves. My blanket 

 protected me well; I was perfectly dry, and soon fast 

 asleep again. Towards morning it cleared up, and 



