Memories of a Bear Hunter 



inches of snow lay on the ground. At midnight 

 the wind began to blow, seeming to increase in 

 velocity until about daylight, when it was moving 

 down stream with hurricane force. The air was so 

 full of snow that it was barely possible to see the 

 wood-pile, about thirty yards from the door. 

 Neither man nor beast could face such a storm, and 

 we postponed our departure. It was difficult to 

 keep warm within the cabin, as the wind appeared 

 to blow through its sides, though it was a well- 

 chinked log house. The large tarpaulin floor of 

 my tent was stretched on the windward side of the 

 cabin behind the kitchen stove to act as a wind- 

 break. Each one then put on all his clothing, fur 

 coat, leggings, buffalo moccasins, as if traveling. 

 Then, by hovering close to the stove, which was 

 kept filled, we managed to keep comfortable dur- 

 ing the day. 



All that day and all the next, the wind continued 

 to blow with unabated fury. The next morning, 

 December 25, Christmas, the wind had somewhat 

 abated, and by noon of the day following, the 

 storm had spent its force, and we could venture out 

 and recognize the sun, as the air was no longer 

 filled with fine snow. The afternoon Milligan 

 went in search of our horses and found them in the 

 timber nearby, apparently having done well. 



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