HIS MOUNTAIN RANCH. 31 



swering shouts rang out, and the ranch was imme- 

 diately a scene of excitement and bustle, for the 

 signal was understood. Dyche had got a deer. 



"Hurry up there, boys, and get that pack-saddle 

 on old Reuben. Don't you hear that feller hollerin'? 

 He's got a deer, sure !" called out Harvey. 



Away they hurried up the mountain, and at the 

 edge of a bunch of quaking asp they found Dyche 

 standing beside a fine young buck, while at a little 

 distance lay a second equally fine. The deer were 

 placed on the burro and the procession went to the 

 ranch, where they were met by Mrs. Harvey. Every- 

 body was talking at once and no one cared what the 

 other had to say. The hour was late and one deer 

 was dressed and quartered. Harvey showed that he 

 was a good cook himself, and while his wife prepared 

 the biscuits and coffee he broiled the venison steaks 

 over the coals in the fire-place. The hot supper was 

 enjoyed by all, and then Dyche told the story of his 

 day's hunt. 



" I had walked all day without getting sight of 

 anything worth shooting. I was tired and disgusted 

 and was dragging myself home when I reached the 

 bunch of quaking asp and willows, up there. I had 

 been along there several times before but had always 

 gone around the thicket. This time I went through 

 it. I got down on my hands and knees and crawled 

 in. The ground was wet and mossy, but that made 

 no difference. After proceeding about a quarter of 

 a mile in this way I reached a small grassy park in 

 the centre of the thicket. Just as I entered it on one 

 side I saw three deer going out on the other. They 



