INTER-OCEAN HUNTING TALES 



we started to follow the trail on foot. The 

 course the bull took favored the higher eleva- 

 tions more than the depressions, which was a 

 bad sign, so with grave misgivings we con- 

 tinued the pursuit. The increasing signs of 

 blood inspired us with hope; here and there 

 he occasionally stood, as was evident from 

 the quantity of blood and the character of 

 the impression his feet made in the snow. 

 In other respects the signs were disappoint- 

 ing; the tracks showed no indication of weak- 

 ness, and frequently led us across high fallen 

 trees and along steep places, where I fol- 

 lowed with difficulty. The blood, although 

 quite plentiful, was a light red, and not the 

 dark color which would be discharged were 

 some vital spot injured. Finally, after travel- 

 ing about six miles, the flow of blood began 

 to lessen. At length we reached a point 

 where he entered a tract of thick timber, 

 evidently at a walk. We concluded that it 

 was best not to pursue him in this retreat, 

 160 



