IN THE FAR WEST. 295 



crystalline river were only a few paces from us. When the 

 tent was erected, each man devoted himself to some special 

 object ; thus, while one cut up wood, another brought it in ; 

 some laid in a supply of water, and others attended to preparing 

 the dinner; while still another party went after grouse in the 

 woods, or to catch trout in the lake, and these soon returned 

 with more than enough to last for twenty-four hours. I was 

 among the anglers, and was fortunate enough to catch two 

 dozen splendid fish that averaged about four pounds each, in 

 less than three hours, with no better bait than a grasshopper. 



Our dinner party that evening was a merry one, although 

 our repast was anything but epicurean in character, as it con- 

 sisted of cold beef, fried bacon, grouse, fish, potatoes, and 

 bread and butter, and these were eaten off tin plates. Our 

 dessert was confined to rosy apples and a cup of coffee, and 

 after that came the rude loving cup, composed of punch that 

 was hot, strong, and sweet. When this was finished we 

 devoted ourselves to puffing pipes or cigars and relating hunt- 

 ing reminiscences, until we retired to our pallet of straw, 

 where each man rolled himself up in his blanket. The pillows 

 were not very soft, as they were composed of our boots over- 

 laid with coats, waistcoats, and other articles of attire. If 

 not downy they were not very uncomfortable, and were appre- 

 ciated accordingly. 



We were awake by three o'clock, and after partaking of 

 a hearty breakfast, a feat which was rendered possible by 

 the glare of the fire, we started off in a body towards the 

 lake, while a half-breed took the hounds to the left, so as 

 to run the deer down towards a large stream that brawled 

 through the woods half-a-mile below. He had not proceeded 

 twenty yards from camp before the pack started a splendid 

 stag, which came bounding towards us as if he had no fear 

 of man ; and before he could detect our dangerous character 

 the contents of two shot-guns were planted in his sides, and 

 he fell headlong on his antlers. " Good luck for this day, 

 anyhow," yelled the enthusiast of the party ; and, to see 

 that his prophecy was carried out, he commenced a series of 

 mock incantations and an Indian dance about the slain, and 

 wound up with a loud and piercing yell that would have done 



