44 CAMP-FIRES OF A NATURALIST. 



the party must have now. They were encamped in 

 a little meadow which marked a pass between two 

 snow-capped ranges. Each night on the way up the 

 mountain had been full of incident and adventure. It 

 is a story in itself to tell of the terrible wind which 

 blew the dead trees down about the camp during the 

 first night on the trail ; how the monarchs of the forest 

 came crashing down in all directions and threatened 

 destruction to the campers ; how the tent was crushed 

 and the donkeys almost frightened out of their wits 

 by the storm ; how the following night some wild 

 animal, probably a bear or lion, had scared the bur- 

 ros so that they rushed into camp and would not 

 venture out again after grass ; how old Reuben im- 

 proved the opportunity to make a meal of the dish-rag 

 and had eaten half a bar of soap before he was dis- 

 covered and tied to a tree with a very short rope in 

 order that he might meditate on his sins. All things 

 must come to an end, and this trip up the mountains 

 was no exception to the rule. 



Just at dark on the evening of the third day camp 

 was made in a little mountain meadow, and when 

 daylight came next morning they saw that the place 

 could not have been better chosen. Within seventy- 

 five yards of the tent was a well-worn bear trail, 

 where the brutes had passed from one mountain to 

 the other for years. The place was christened 

 " Camp Bear Trail," and preparations for an extended 

 hunt were made. 



There was no doubt that there were plenty of bears 

 in the vicinity, for their trails could be seen all 

 about the place. So confident were Dyche and Brown 



