42 RUSTLINGS IN THE ROCKIES. 



nent to look at them. Each beam measures four feet nine 

 inches long, and the spread is four feet six inches. There are 

 six points on one beam and seven on the other. 



I got the entire head home in good condition, had it 

 mounted, and it now occupies the most conspicuous place in 

 my " den." As I pause in the midst of this recital, and look 

 up at it, it wears that same grand, majestic look it wore there 

 on top of the Rocky Mountains in that^cold crisp September 

 morning, and I have but to give my imagination play, and I 

 find myself surrounded by those same old snow-capped peaks, 

 those tall, rocky crags peering out above the pine-trees, which 

 are hung with their crystal fringe of ice, glittering in the 

 bright morning sun. I can feel that fresh, frosty, invigorat- 

 ing atmosphere ; I can hear those frozen leaves crush under 

 my feet as I walk, and my blood dances through my veins as 

 I climb from hilltop to hilltop in pursuit of the noble quarry, 

 stimulated the while by his fascinating whistle. Ah ! soon 

 come the time when I may again visit that land of enchant- 

 ment. 



But how our airy castles do crumble under the touch of 

 reality. Enter Mrs. Coquina with a towel around her head, 

 a broom in one hand, a dustpan in the other, and a smile on 

 her face, as she says : 



" Old man, you'd better put in some coal, or this fire will 

 be out." 



