140 PBAIKIE AND FOREST. 



the camp, and until I had gained the distance of a hundred 

 yards from it, no impression on the fast disappearing snow, 

 no broken twig, or disturbed rotten limb indicated that I 

 was not far from animal life. By degrees I increased the 

 diameter of my circling search, and was all but returning, 

 satisfied that my own excited imagination had been playing 

 me tricks, when I came across the wide-spread deep impres- 

 sions of an immense bear. Whatever others might think, 

 in such utter desolation and loneliness, it was pleasing to 

 learn that Bruin was my foe insiead of a stealthy red-skin. 



After turning my nags loose that they might graze upon 

 the bunch grass which was abundant in the bottom lands 

 beneath my encampment, I examined the stock of food in 

 the larder, and found, as I almost could have foretold if I 

 had thought upon the matter, that it was reduced to one 

 rib of venison, and that but poorly provided with meat. 

 Submitting it with hungry eyes to the smoke and ashes, I 

 observed with anything but gratified look that the eatable 

 portion rapidly diminished under the effects of the tire. 

 When it was sufficiently cooked to become eatable there 

 was not more left than would have satisfied the appetite of 

 a hungry tabby. Nevertheless I ate and was thankful, 

 consoling myself with the hope that ere the sun reached 

 the meridian I should shoot something sufficiently sub- 

 stantial to afford a good meal. But no such fortune was 

 in store for me. I tramped over fell and valley, through 

 bush and over open valleys, and nought rewarded my search 

 but innumerable tracks so old and stale, that it would have 

 been madness to follow them up. 



Weak from want of food, and anxious to know whether 



