LETTER IX. 105 



timber. For the last four days we had gradually 

 been working the sheep back to the heights, and 

 now others were going to reap the reward of our 

 toil. However, it could not be helped, so at 

 about 7 a.m. we mustered in force. The com- 

 mand of the expedition was offered to me, but 

 was declined on the score that I did not know 

 anything of sheep-driving. So C. sent out his 

 men, and he and I rode off together. 



' Now, my dear fellow, I don't care for a shot ; 

 I've shot scores of sheep ; if we see any, you take 

 the first crack at them,' said my companion ; and 

 my heart went out to him for his self-denial. I 

 had left Polly, my buckskin mare, in camp, as 

 she was a bit stale from over-work, and had 

 taken out instead a big, rather well-bred looking 

 screw, bought by old S. at the Alison ranch 

 for 20 dollars. The screw moved under me with 

 a fine free stride, which is wofully wanting in 

 the native cayouse, and I really thought if there 

 was any galloping to be done that day, my horse 

 was the horse to do it. Captain S. and the rest 

 of the guns took the right-hand side of the crags ; 

 C. and myself went down wind to the left. At 

 the very outset Captain S., who was a little in 

 advance of his party, came face to face with a 

 splendid mule-deer buck, which, from the reports 

 of those who saw him, I take to have been bigger 



