142 CAMP-FIRES OF A NATURALIST. 



at night when camp was reached, the horse taking 

 his own way. 



The doctor and the judge had been "hunting 

 large," seeing many sheep, but the latter were so shy 

 that they could not get them. They each succeeded 

 in securing a fine specimen, and now their time was 

 up and they had to return to Denver. 



Dyche had been dreading this announcement for 

 some time. He felt that he could ill afford to lose 

 his friends, for two better camping companions could 

 not be found. Though both were professional men, 

 with large business to look after, they were thor- 

 oughly versed in woodcraft and were real campers 

 and hunters. Having a lively interest in everything 

 going on, they took every disappointment the weather 

 or country might bring, without complaint. Even- 

 ing in camp was the most pleasant part of the twenty- 

 four hours, for it was spent in profitable conversation, 

 exchanging ideas and constantly developing new 

 thoughts. 



A general discussion on sheep was started the even- 

 ing before the Denver gentlemen left for home, when 

 the judge asked if it was necessary to travel away up 

 into the British-Columbian mountains to get sheep. 



" No," said Dyche. " Sheep range from New Mex- 

 ico to British Columbia, and may even be found as 

 far north as Alaska. They are seen east as far as 

 the Black Hills and range west to the Pacific Ocean. 

 They live, however, only in such localities in the 

 prescribed territory as best suit their habits. At 

 present they are confined to a few favoured localities 

 in the highest and roughest parts of the Rockies. 



