18 THE ADVENTURES OF A NATURE GUIDE 



eat. The prospector who had lived in this cabin 

 evidently had been friendly with the bird neigh- 

 bours. I wished that I might know him. 



Again I could smell the smoke of aspen wood. 

 Several shouts evoked echoes — nothing more. I 

 stood listening and wondering whether to stay 

 in the cabin or to venture forth and try to follow 

 the snow-filled roadway that must lead down 

 through the woods from the cabin. Wherever 

 this open way led I could follow. But of course I 

 must take care not to lose it. 



In the nature of things I felt that I must be three 

 or four miles to the south of the trail which I had 

 planned to follow down the mountain. I wished 

 I might see my long and crooked line of footmarks 

 in the snow from the summit to timberline. 



Hearing the open water in rapids close to the 

 cabin, I went out to try for a drink. I advanced 

 slowly, blind-man fashion, feeling the way with my 

 long staff. As I neared the rapids, a water ouzel, 

 which probably had lunched in the open water, 

 sang with all his might. I stood still as he re- 

 peated his liquid, hopeful song. On the spot I 

 shook off procrastination and decided to try to find 

 a place where someone lived. 



After writing a note explaining why I had 

 smashed in the door and used so much wood, I 

 readjusted my snowshoes and started down through 

 the woods. I suppose it must have been late after- 

 noon. 



