24 DESERTED CAMPING-GROUND. 



the length of time it has remained submerged, in 

 order to save itself from the unrelenting terriers ? 

 If you have indulged in such a chase you will 

 know what they call in Scotland his drooJcit state. 

 Such is the expression which will give the best idea of 

 my appearance at daybreak on the following morn- 

 ing. A bright sun and a clear sky, however, pre- 

 vented me from yielding to depression of spirits, and 

 as I had not yet obtained a camping-ground suited 

 to my fastidious taste, a further advance to the 

 north was undertaken. Game was more abundant 

 than usual, and the first buffalo (Bison Americanus) 

 which I had seen for a month was discovered in 

 some low ground, half meadow, half swamp. Not 

 being partial to beef of so tough a nature as this 

 veteran was certain to make, I left him alone in his 

 glory. 



About half-past three I came to a spot which had 

 evidently been used as a camping-ground ; though 

 from the rotten state of the few scattered camp 

 poles, and the ashes (ever tell-tales of the existence 

 of fire) having vegetation protruding through them, 

 I came to the conclusion that the place had long 

 been deserted. It was, however, an excellently 

 selected site, and I determined to remain there for 

 the night. 



For days there had been to the north-west of my 

 line of march a mountain peak, I should imagine 

 quite as lofty as the highest point of the Sierra 

 Nevada. In shape it was like a sugar-loaf, with an 



