IN THE FAR WEST. 333 



small cloud of "oats disappearing in the distance. I \vas angry 

 at our ill-luck, but the red man was as stoical as a statue and 

 showed no signs of emotion, not even a word or facial thought 

 escaped him. We toiled on once more until we got among some 

 loose shelving and snow, and after scanning our position we 

 saw three goats a short distance below us standing in an attitude 

 of vigilance. They looked proud and enticing, and as we wanted 

 them badly we attempted to stalk them. Bending low, at a 

 signal from my cicerone, we moved downwards, now dodging 

 behind rocks, now creeping almost on the ground, until my back 

 seemed ready to break, we at length reached a convenient covert 

 behind a huge crag, but on peering out to get a peep at our 

 quarries we saw them moving up to the right. I was so dis- 

 gusted that I fired, but the only result was to see one give a 

 sudden bound, as if wounded, and dart around rocks that 

 hung over a precipice and where a cat could hardly find a 

 foot-hold with remarkable ease and celerity. I followed it, 

 but I dared not do more than attempt to peer towards its line 

 of retreat for fear of having my head made dizzy by the depth 

 and terrifying character of the chasm below. 



Nothing daunted at this failure, we commenced beating 

 again, and after working two or three hours came upon an old 

 ram that was promenading on the edge of a deep canyon in 

 which we were walking. The Indian fired after taking delibe- 

 rate aim, but instead of seeing the old fellow come tumbling 

 down, he merely sent down a shower of loose stones, 

 while he bounded away to less alarming quarters. The " Son 

 of the Forest" got disgusted then himself, for he gave a 

 grimace, and started for the summit as if he considered goats 

 perfect nuisances, or Wills o' the Wisp. After toiling all day 

 we came back to camp with only one poor marmot, known as 

 the " whistler," from the quaint noise it makes, and I killed 

 that as a specimen. 



Our return was awaited with some interest by a few of the 

 old men, who expected that my repeating rifle would accom- 

 plish wonders, and that it would be able to supply the 

 encampment with goat's meat for several days; but when 

 they saw us come back almost as empty-handed as when we 



