34 HUNTING THE GRISLY. 



fast, we scrambled down to near the torrent, 

 and after some search found a good spot for 

 camping. Hot and dusty from the day's hard 

 tramp, I undressed and took a plunge in the 

 stream, the icy water making me gasp. Then, 

 having built a slight lean-to of brush, and 

 dragged together enough dead timber to burn 

 all night, we cut long alder twigs, sat down 

 before some embers raked apart, and grilled 

 and ate our buffalo meat with the utmost rel- 

 ish. Night had fallen ; a cold wind blew up 

 the valley; the torrent roared as it leaped 

 past us, and drowned our words as we strove 

 to talk over our adventures and success ; while 

 the flame of the fire flickered and danced, 

 lighting up with continual vivid flashes the 

 gloom of the forest round about. 



