232 ADVENTURES OF DR. ALLEN. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



A DAY AMONG THE CLOUDS. 



Our route lay along the foot of Cloud Peak, and as we 

 neared a beautiful little rivulet, whose sparkling waters told 

 of the snow far up on the mountains, we reined in our tired 

 horses and dismounted for the night. Our packs were soon 

 stored away, and our horses eating the luxuriant bunch 

 grass. We made our camp on the edge of a great windfall 

 where trees were piled together, so that no creature of any 

 size could pass over them. 



Although the sun had fallen behind the mountain, we 

 could still see the afterglow. As I gazed at this mountain of 

 earth, and upon the lakes and trees, I felt myself to be an 

 infinitesimal speck in the universe. The everlasting crags 

 of brown sandstone stood out like fortresses against the sky 

 so blue and clear. Far up these rugged heights I could see 

 a great bald eagle hovering over its prey. Night was fast 

 approaching, and I had been so charmed with the glory and 

 splendor of it all, that I forgot my partner until he sounded 

 the supper call. 



I decided to lay over and explore this wonderful moun- 

 tain, as there seemed to be no end of animal life. Signs of 

 mountain sheep, elks, bears and buffaloes were in evidence, 

 and I was sure there were also cougars and deer. It was a 

 wonderful country for a hunter. 



Our supper was soon over and we picketed our horses 



