COASTING 13 



frozen over. Here in the open water the deer 

 had eaten all of the moss and water plants within 

 reach. Near the point of the "yard" a snow- 

 slide had come down from the long slope above, 

 carrying off nearly all of the snow in its path 

 and clearing a space about two hundred feet 

 wide and several hundred feet long. Over this 

 cleared space the deer had trampled, eating the 

 exposed dead vegetation. In it they had often 

 sunned themselves and lain down. 



A deer yard full of animals is not to be seen 

 every day. So I decided not to go farther but to 

 have a look into every corner of this yard, and 

 also to watch these big-eared, white-tailed fel- 

 lows. If I wanted other excitement there was a 

 deep, dark canon near by that might be looked 

 into. Near the yard I made a permanent camp. 

 I built a fire in front of a cliff which soon melted 

 the snow and made a little dry open place for my 

 sleeping bag. I usually kept a fire going all 

 night, rising two or three times to put on wood. 

 Before getting into the sleeping bag I took off 

 my shoes and put on a pair of moccasins, leav- 

 ing all of my other clothes on. The canvas 

 lining of my sleeping bag was removed each day 

 and aired. 



I ranged around this deer yard for two days. 

 In walking through and around it I occasionally 

 came close to the deer. They retreated without 



