60 CAMP FIRE REMINISCENCES 
up our game. H. had brought in his last kill, but 
his first and both of mine were still out, so with 
a guide and wagon, we proceeded down Pi-ci-ance 
creek, taking the more roundabout wagon road to- 
ward where our bucks lay. The hills rose high 
on our left and far up these were several moving 
white targets, indicating the presence of deer. We 
picked up the one shot by H. and then went after 
my first, which was easily found, owing to the 
presence of a flock of magpies. While this was 
being pulled down to the wagon, I went to look for 
my second. Approaching this, some moving object 
attracted my attention, and it turned out to be a 
golden eagle. The bird was inside of the carcas 
with the exception of its tail, and it was so busy 
tearing the kidney fat out that for a time it did 
not notice my arrival. The pony took in the situ- 
ation and deciding that I should not have a shot, 
it pranced around until the amazed eagle withdrew 
itself from the deer and slowly took flight. I 
tried a shot, holding the rifle with one hand, but 
shooting with a heavy rifle from the back of a buck- 
ing bronco would have required the dexterity of a 
Buffalo Bill. 
We arrived at the ranch in time for dinner and 
the afternoon stage from Meeker took H. to Rifle, 
while the game warden kindly drove me out, as 
the stage could only take one. The warden showed 
me a ‘‘wire’’ he had just received from Denver say- 
ing that the Ute Indians were off their reserva- 
tion and slaughtering deer, so he was going to col- 
