THE MEPHITIS-MEPHU ICA 291 



for the sleeping trapper, who generally goes to rest 

 with his clothes on. 



On this night of which I am writing, the dishes and 

 pans, as usual, were left unwashed. There was a little 

 cooked rice in one bucket and some fried moose meat in 

 a frying-pan left from supper. Kibbee and I got into the 

 bunk, which was only intended for one person, but by 

 sleeping head to foot we managed to get on quite well. 



Dr. Hughes was on the floor in his sleeping bag, one- 

 half of which extended under the bunk, while the other 

 half projected out until it nearly touched the open door- 

 way. The door was always left open, that being the 

 only means of ventilation. We were not long in for- 

 getting in sleep the labors of the day. 



About midnight Kibbee kicked me in the head with 

 his naked foot and asked if I could find my electric 

 bulb. He said there was some good-sized animal 

 prowling around, and he would like to see what it was. 



The bulb was handed to him, and while still lying in 

 bed he pointed the electric light to all parts of the 

 cabin without seeing anything particularly dangerous. 

 Two rats and a weasel scampered away, or perhaps it 

 was only two mice and a weasel, for things look large 

 to you under such circumstances, and yet the expected 

 larger animal was not to be seen. 



A shaft of light was now thrown behind the open 

 door. Here were standing two rifles, and in between 

 and behind them was another member of the mephitis- 



