32 CAMP FIRE REMINISCENCES 
ouring of the standing forest covering the hills 
could be seen. It was a rolling.country and ideal 
for still hunting, as each elevation commanded sev- 
eral little valleys. 
Having rested, and assured ourselves that there 
was nothing in sight, we descended to the river and 
launched our canoe. I have never seen such 
abundant evidence of beaver as there was there. 
Trees were cut down everywhere along the river, 
and fresh paths were seen running among the 
alders that fringed its banks, while houses were 
numerous. We paddled a mile or so, and landing, 
we left the boat and took to the hills once more. 
Walking now became difficult as the dead trees lay 
in a fearful tangle, but we kept it up for a couple 
of hours and then, resting on a hilltop, enjoyed 
the blueberries which grew in abundance every- 
where. This was supposed to be a fine bear coun- 
try, and as we sat there the guides pointed out to 
me the different places where they had seen them 
killed and told stories about the death of each. 
When shooting in a country, it is always more in- 
teresting to hear of the animals which have not 
been killed and which one may meet again in the 
flesh than of those which have gone. 
As we had seen very few tracks since leaving 
camp, and as these had been old, I could not help 
wondering whether there was a living thing within 
miles of us except beaver. In fact, from what I 
could make out of their patois, I thought that this 
little discourse was by way of encouragement, so 
did not pay any particular attention to it. 
