NORTH FORK TO THE SELWYN ROCKIES 107 



the lack of game seen up to that time, did not look en- 

 couraging; and since the snow continued to fall, we felt 

 some anxiety as to the ultimate success of our trip. 



September 8. Snow was falling when we rose, but it 

 was a wet snow and not likely to continue all day; we 

 therefore decided to start. A cache was made by sus- 

 pending some poles about ten feet up between trees, and 

 on it were placed the provisions and materials we could 

 not carry. These caches are always necessary, as other- 

 wise provisions might be taken by bears, wolverines, or 

 wolves. Packs were made up and, putting them on our 

 backs, we started about noon, crossed the flat, and while 

 climbing the ridges were soaked to the skin from the wet 

 snow suspended on the brush. This caused us to become 

 chilled as we toiled upward with aching backs through 

 deep snow and thick undergrowth. The mountains, cov- 

 ered with mist, could not be seen. Late in the afternoon, 

 as we were walking on the slope near the upper flat of 

 the draw, Louis, who was ahead, saw a bull moose feed- 

 ing in the willow brush some seven or eight hundred yards 

 below, near the brook. Selous, who was following Louis, 

 immediately started to find an approach to it, and con- 

 cealed as we were behind some low spruces, we had the 

 pleasure of watching the whole stalk. 



For a few moments I watched the moose as he was 

 standing and feeding, but as I turned my head to note 

 Selous's course, the bull apparently disappeared, and Louis 

 whispered that he had lain down. I looked carefully 

 through my field-glasses, but he blended so perfectly with 

 the willows and alders that he was not visible. Finally, 



