THIRTY YEARS A HUNTER. 43 



unwell, and they wished me carry the chain for him, 

 and let him take my place with the pack-horse9. I 

 consented to the arrangement, and he returned to 

 the blockhouse. In four days we had completed the 

 surveying which we had anticipated would occupy a 

 week, and accordingly had three days of leisure be- 

 fore the next Monday. We were now at the head 

 waters of Kettle Creek, Cedar Eun, and Sinemahon- 

 ing, which was a good country, with abundance of elk 

 and deer, and some bears. We all had fishing lines, 

 and we determined to employ the first day of our 

 leisure in fishing. My comrade and I descended 

 Kettle Creek about seven miles. There I found on 

 the east side of the creek in the side of the mountain 

 a large elk lick, to which I gave the name of Rock 

 Lick. It was very much resorted to by the elk. As 

 we were returning we 6aw a trail leading to the 

 northeast, which was as fresh and distinct as if cattle 

 had been traveling there. We all met at our camp 

 and had a mess of trout which would have suited the 

 palate of an epicure, had it not lacked the addition 

 of a little salt. As I had another day at my com- 

 mand I concluded to employ it in exploring the 

 country in the vicinity of our camp to see if it was 

 frequented by elk. I accordingly started down the 

 creek, and in going four miles I discovered a great 

 ji umber of elk-paths. After proceeding four miles 

 farther down the stream I arrived at a fork which 

 had its source near the head waters. of the Allegany 

 River. I then returned to the camp, and supped 

 again on trout, which some of our men had caught. 



