IN AMBUSH. 47 



this mass of debris were found many bear beds, 

 where the animals had scooped out great hollows and 

 made comfortable sleeping-places. Night settled 

 down and Dyche was at last compelled to give up 

 the chase. He had travelled fully fifteen miles over 

 the mountains and through the forest, and was so 

 tired that he did not think of returning to camp, but 

 finding a sheltered place on a large projecting rock, 

 he spread his gossamer blanket as a wind-break, and 

 on a bed of spruce and fir boughs, with a blazing fire 

 at his feet, he tried to sleep. He was tired, but sleep 

 would not come. He would fall into a doze and then 

 wake with a start from dreaming about a fight with 

 a big grizzly, and would alternately doze and build up 

 the fire until morning came. At early dawn he 

 started back to the home camp, and the day was 

 spent resting. 



Awaking from a refreshing sleep next morning, 

 Dyche saw where a bear had come over the trail, 

 and, to show his contempt for the hunters, had wal- 

 lowed in the spring from which they got their drink- 

 ing-water. Brown returned with mail and provisions 

 from Harvey's and a council of war was held. It 

 was decided to make an ambush and wait until the 

 bear again went over the trail and then kill him. 

 He evidently passed along in the night, and a plat- 

 form was built in a tree near the trail. 



Darkness found Dyche safely ensconced on the 

 platform, prepared for an all-night's siege. A heavy 

 overcoat was supplemented by a blanket and a trunk- 

 strap secured him to the tree in case he should fall 

 asleep. The rifle and shot-gun were within easy reach, 



