386 WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS CHAP. 



these wapiti had been divided into twenty or thirty herds of small 

 numbers, they would have been scattered over an extreme area, 

 and have afforded permanent sport for many days ; but the fact of 

 their being collected into one vast herd would denude the country. 

 A very large herd would probably travel a much greater distance 

 than a smaller numlx:r. All masses and crowds are influenced by 

 panics ; the presence of many females with their young ones would 

 increase the excitement of a retreat, and a march of only five hours 

 would carry a herd of deer over an interval of 25 or 30 miles. 



It appeared as though all the wapiti of the immediate neigh- 

 bourhood had been gathered together in that large herd, as I could 

 not discover one animal of the species for a couple of days after 

 this incident ; we accordingly moved our camp. 



There is always a charm in novelty, and this is exhibited to per- 

 fection when, after a morning's march in the Big Horn range, a 

 clear rippling brook in a shady glen, beneath overhanging woods 

 of dark green spruce, invites a halt ; here we decide upon the new 

 camping ground, well sheltered from wind, with a supply of fuel, 

 and good water. No shot had been fired within 10 miles of our 

 new camp, therefore we had every reason to expect game. 



On the following morning I rode out with my hunter Jem. 

 The forests were difficult, owing to the number of fallen trees and 

 the steepness of the mountain slopes ; we accordingly ascended the 

 mountain until we gained a tolerably level surface above the 

 woods ; this enabled us to obtain a clear view for some miles 

 ahead, and to the sky-line upon the summit to our left. We rode 

 parallel with the forest, upon the extreme verge, occasionally 

 turning into it when level ground rendered it practicable ; but 

 although tracks were numerous, we saw nothing except black-tail 

 deer. It is probable that many other animals were existing in the 

 recesses of the dark forest, but for mounted men it would have 

 been impossible to adopt any other course than that pursued. 



Having reached a locality where the ground was favourable, we 

 rode through a series of open glades separated from each other by 

 belts of spruce and cotton-wood. This was a likely place for 

 game. The surface was undulating, and the rich grass in the 

 glades would afford pasturage, at the same time that the belts of 

 trees gave shelter. We were riding leisurely through this promis- 

 ing country when I suddenly observed the branch of a dead tree 

 move. I immediately checked my horse, and watched. Again 

 the same branch moved at about 150 yards' distance. I dis- 

 mounted gently. My hunter Jem, who was behind me, did the 

 same. 



