Memories of a Bear tiunter 



of the Musselshell River, and to hunt in the foot- 

 hills of the mountain enclosing the famous Judith 

 Basin on the head of the Judith River, which 

 enters the Missouri above Cow Island. 31 



At that time game was abundant here deer, 

 elk and buffalo, with a few antelope. 32 



Colonel Clendennin arranged for a two-horse 

 wagon and team, saddle horses, a guide, teamster 

 and cook, the expense to be divided between Mes- 

 siter and myself. I left Cow Island on the steamer 

 Benton, September 2, and reaching Carroll the 

 next day, found all the outfit ready, except Mes- 

 siter, some tents and other camp fixtures. 



It was understood that I should take the outfit 

 away from the river about three days' travel to the 

 base of the Judith Mountains, make camp there 

 and then send the team back for Messiter, the tents 

 and other baggage. 



Colonel Clendennin had arranged that I 

 should purchase a horse belonging to> a wood- 

 chopper, Pike Landusky, 33 who had a woodyard 

 across the river from Carroll. The day after my 

 arrival I crossed the river, and after a few miles' 

 search found Landusky, inspected the horse, liked 

 his looks and paid his price. I took him with me, 

 swimming him across the river from the rear of 

 the dugout in which I sat. He turned out to be 



81 



