The IVihi Sheep of the Sierra. 



291 



ATKK-OUSKI,. 



a broad-shouldered wild-cat showed himself, coming out of a grove, 

 and crossing the river on a flood-jamb of logs, halting for a moment 

 to look hack. The bird-like tamias frisked about my feet every- 

 where among the pine-needles and seedy grass-tufts. Cranes waded 

 die shallows of the river-bends, the kingfisher rattled from perch to 

 perch, and the blessed ousel sang amid the spray of every cascade. 

 Where may lonely wanderer find a more beautiful family of mount- 



