TWENTY YEARS IN THE ROCKIES. 285 



Baldy we agreed to separate, each one choosing his direction, 

 planning to meet at Five Points, as our camp was just be- 

 low that place. 



After a weary climb, I came out upon a high woody 

 divide which overlooked a tributary of Ten Sleep. Resting 

 my horse, I rounded the steep rimrock, and started to cross 

 a deep gorge in the mountains. The green hemlocks were 

 thick, and the snow was deep, but not frozen on this side. 

 Presently I crossed the trail made by thirty elks. They were 

 headed straight for Ten Sleep canyon, the trail being at 

 least three days old. I passed along and turned in the direc- 

 tion of Five Points, but was soon compelled to abandon the 

 saddle, as the ground became too steep and rugged for 

 horseback riding. Having failed in my attempt to cross 

 the stream, I again started up the mountain and soon came 

 upon another elk trail made by about fifteen cows and 

 calves. They had forced a passage across and I followed. 

 After carefully surveying all signs, I concluded the trail 

 must have made the day before, so I turned away, after 

 learning their direction, which I was certain was the same 

 as that of the first band. 



I was now gaining the second hill, which I was sure 

 would lead me to Five Points. Here I soon found a fresh 

 trail of seven elks that was going directly in the course 

 that I was traveling, the trail evidently being not more than 

 an hour old. As I pressed on and upward I was just about 

 clear of the heavy timber, when a rifle shot rang out, fol- 

 lowed by another and yet another, until nine successive 

 shots had broken the stillness which had been so monot- 

 onous all day. Every moment I expected to see some old 

 lead cow with expanded nostrils plunge through the forest 

 on her back trail. 



I mounted my horse and shot forward. I soon came 



