CHAPTER XVIII. 



In Colorado On the Trail of Elk A Night in the Snow- 

 Deer, but no Elk Another Wild-Goose Chase The 

 World's Fair King The Last Hunt. 



months had passed since the re- 

 turn of the naturalist from the swamps of 

 Manitoba seven months of hard and 

 wearing labor in workshop, laboratory, 

 and class-room. The wind blowing through the 

 trees of the university campus whispered enticing 

 invitations to Dyche to lay aside again, for a brief 

 period, his routine tasks and renew his energies 

 by a sojourn in the mountains. With the invitation 

 came thoughts of those who were his companions in 

 the Cascades, and later he received two letters from 

 these friends urging him to meet them in Denver and 

 go with them to the mountains. 



" Join us if possible, " wrote the judge. " We want 

 to be in the expedition that secures the big bull elk. 

 We were with you when you secured the magnificent 

 collection in British Columbia, and we think we can 

 take you where you can get a World's Fair king. 

 We can get Jim [Jim Kennicott, of Delta, Col.]. We 

 had him last year and know him to be the right man. 

 We have engaged him and six horses for ourselves, 

 and the party will be complete with you. Shall we 

 engage horses for you?" 



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