THE FINAL HUNT FOR RAMS 247 



are the sounds all day as the pack is pushed through 

 stiff willows and spruces, each jar causing an anxious 

 shudder to the owner of the precious stuff. 



On the return trip, the big horse-flies, which had before 

 tormented the horse, were absent, but the small black 

 flies made him bleed. It was the season for sand-flies, 

 small creatures like midges, but slightly larger. They ap- 

 peared in swarms in the afternoon and retired at night, 

 and while active attacked both man and horse. 



Aside from rough travelling and tired shoulders, which 

 ached under the loads, no incident occurred on the return 

 trip. We saw no animals except red squirrels which were 

 abundant the last day we were on the Lapie, and a few 

 more varieties of birds. We reached the Pelly August 

 1 6, having made about the same time from camp on the 

 return as on the trip in. None of the skulls or skins were 

 damaged, and all were stowed safely in an abandoned 

 cabin. Lewis not having returned, all the Indians were 

 still there. On seeing my sheep horns they became very 

 much excited. They had previously doubted my ability 

 to kill sheep. 



Dan McKinnon's trade had been that of a blacksmith 

 and at once he offered to take Danger a suggestion which 

 I accepted on condition that he would gather sufficient 

 grass to keep the horse through the winter. This was in- 

 tended as an indirect refusal, for Danger was lame, and 

 I knew that it was best to end his life rather than leave 

 him subjected to the cruel conditions of the wilderness. 

 McKinnon, however, accepted my condition, and soon 

 had the barrel of a 22-rifle red hot in a fire. By noon the 



