FROM THE ELM-CLUMP 107 



upon the shore of the big pasture slough. This 

 little grove lay back up the sloping sod, some 

 sixty yards from the water, and it was a favorite 

 spot with us from which to watch the slough in- 

 habitants. It was necessary to use a great deal 

 of caution in getting into the place, as these 

 water-birds possessed a discerning eye and 

 could differentiate wonderfully well between a 

 cow and a human even when the latter tried 

 to trick them by walking on all fours. Also they 

 always seemed to figure that what went into the 

 clump had to come out again before the coast 

 was a safe place of refuge; so it was imperative 

 that when we reached the edge of the main 

 woods we should get down on our stomachs and 

 " snake " along through the snowberry tufts un- 

 til we reached the desired shelter. 



I never visited this place that I did not 

 wonder at the origin of such an isolated little 

 wood. It was not more than twenty yards in 

 diameter, yet in it were several elms, an oak 

 or two, some scrubby Manitoba maples; and all 

 were flanked by thickets of hawthorn, choke 

 cherry, and saskatoon. The cattle loved the 

 grove at noon-day, as did also their buffalo 

 predecessors on the plains before them, and the 



