A FALL HUNT IX THE HOCKIES. 3G1 



"bacon straight," is always a matter of some uncer- 

 tainty and misgiving. 



The ranch itself was much the same to look at as 

 most I had been to in Wyoming and Montana ; so I 

 was fairly staggered when I was asked "right away" 

 whether we should prefer moose or elk steak, moun- 

 tain-sheep chops, venison, or antelope cutlets, for 

 supper ! I knew, of course, that we were in the foot- 

 hills of the Eockies, and that game was not unknown 

 to those parts, but such an einfniri'n^ "V.s ri<-lt<.'*8es as 

 this I was wholly unprepared for. " Are things what 

 they seem, or is visions about 1 " AVe discussed with 

 infinite relish, however, most of these delicacies, 

 cooked, too, as only mountain-men can cook ; and I 

 was then all anxiety to investigate matters more par- 

 ticularly, for there was evidently more behind than at 

 first met the eye. 



The proprietors of this ranch I soon found were the 

 Rea Brothers, of trapping, hunting, and prospecting 

 fame in these mountains for over twenty years, who 

 won.; responsible for the varied nature of our fare. 

 Pegged out on the ground outside were several bear 

 and wapiti hides. 



Xor was this all ; for while my curiosity and long- 

 ings were being momentarily roused to the point of 

 the prospective enjoyment of a bear -hunt, my 

 " partner " was already, I saw, in all the ecstasy of an 

 angler's delight. On the opposite bank of the river 

 he was reeling in at a marvellous rate such beauties 



