212 ADVENTURES OF DR. ALLEN. 



When I awoke the clouds had gathered thicker than on 

 the evening before, while a dense fog covered the moun- 

 tains. I began retracing my way, but could make little head- 

 way, frequently running nearly into game that would 

 climb the rocks with a terrible noise. When almost ready 

 to give up and camp where I was, until I should be able to 

 see my way, to my great joy the darkness and fog gave way 

 to a burst of sunshine, and I soon found myself again in 

 the valley. 



The boys had suffered much anxiety on my account 

 and welcomed me back to camp. The evening was passed in 

 my relating an account of the storm in the mountains. Long 

 strings of trout garnished our camp, so I had no need to 

 ask what their success had been during my absence. After 

 dinner the next day we pulled out, each man having gained 

 some fresh experience, which could not fail to interest the 

 folks at home. 



Winter was almost over and the genial rays of the sun 

 fell upon the earth, giving promise of delightful days to 

 come. The white sides of the antelopes rendered them ev- 

 erywhere conspicuous, as they lazily passed to and fro, nip- 

 ping the wild sage. A few scattering flocks of wild geese 

 were to be seen against the blue sky. Their "honk, honk," 

 alone broke the quiet, which to me seemed almost over- 

 powering, as the little "jerkey/ loaded with United States 

 mail, the driver and myself, hastened to the next station 

 on the opposite side of the river. This station (a mere hole 

 in the ground) was kept by Old Major, as everyone called 

 him. We knew no other name for the man, nor did we 

 know anything of his history, excepting that he had earned 

 his title in the volunteer service and had been discharged 

 for drunkenness. 



We were trying hard to reach the station in time for 



