190 CRUISINGS IN THE CASCADES 



by a powerful old bull, who wallowed through snow 

 in which only his head and neck were visible, with 

 all the patience and perseverance of a faithful old 

 ox. The others followed him the stronger ones in 

 front and the weaker ones bringing up the rear. 

 There were thirty-seven in the band, and by the 

 time they had all walked in the same line they left 

 it an open, well- beaten trail. The hunter approached 

 within a few yards of them. They were greatly 

 alarmed when they saw him, and made a few bounds 

 in various directions ; but seeing their struggles 

 were in vain, they meekly submitted to \vhat seemed 

 their impending fate, and fell back in rear of their 

 file-leader. This would have been the golden oppor- 

 tunity of a skin hunter, who could and would have 

 shot them all down in their tracks from a single 

 stand. But such was not the mission of our friend. 

 He saw in this noble, struggling band a means of 

 deliverance from what had threatened to be a wintry 

 grave for him and his companions. He did not fire 

 a shot, and did not in any way create unnecessary 

 alarm amongst the elk, but hurried back to camp 

 and reported to his friends what he had seen. 



In a moment the camp was a scene of activity and 

 excitement. Tent, bedding, provisions, everything 

 that was absolutely necessary to their journey, were 

 hurriedly packed upon their pack animals; saddles 

 were placed, rifles were slung to the saddles, and 

 leaving all surplus baggage, such as trophies of 

 their hunt, mineral specimens and curios of various 

 kinds, for future comers, they started for the elk 

 trail. They had a slow, tedious, and laborious task, 

 breaking a way through the deep snow to reach it, 



