OVER THE MOGOLLON MESA 79 



rible crashes that set the earth a-tremble, and 

 the lightning flashed with a blinding brilliancy 

 beyond description. 



John and I both felt electric thrills on sev- 

 eral occasions, but we had no fear, for we had 

 taken the precaution to select low trees under 

 which to pitch the tent. The higher trees in 

 this region are frequently struck by lightning. 

 During the day's ride I had noted many bear- 

 ing marks of lightning, and at one point four 

 within as many rods. In every case, however, 

 it was the tall yellow pine that suffered. 



Like the White Mountain region, the Mo- 

 gollon Mesa once held herds of elk, but the 

 last of them were killed many years ago. 

 There is no reason why elk should not thrive 

 here now, though the ranges would be less ex- 

 tended than in the White Mountains. How- 

 ever, the Mogollon Mesa could well support 

 some good-sized herds. 



This is one of the best deer and turkey coun- 

 tries that I have ever seen. Deer signs were 

 exceedingly numerous. I was informed that 

 bear, too, were fairly plentiful, though per- 

 sonally I saw but few signs of them. As was to 

 be expected where deer and turkeys are plenti- 

 ful, jaguars and cats are also quite too nu- 

 merous. 



