354 SPORTING ADVENTURES 



the Aict that they were not hunted much, rather than to any 

 excellence on our own part, for I have known some of the best 

 hunters to tramp hard all day and not kill one, although 

 numbers might be roaming over the snow-fields or the rocky 

 crests. 



We dined that evening off wild mutton cutlets, but, except- 

 ing that they had a somewhat gamey flavour, and were by no 

 means succulent, they tasted like the flesh of the domestic 

 species. In hunting over that region afterwards we used 

 mongrel dogs, and found them excellent adjuncts in the chase, 

 as they would not only run, but attack, the big-horns, or hold 

 them at bay until we got within shooting range. They were 

 not strong enough to kill the animals alone, and they had a 

 wholesome fear of the head appendages, but they were very 

 useful in more ways than one. I should fancy that trained 

 dogs would be found of great advantage in sheep hunting, but 

 my experience is not extensive enough to form an opinion on 

 the matter. 



One of the most interesting and successful excursions after 

 sheep that I ever enjoyed came off in the snow-capped War 

 Eagle Mountains, in Idaho. Being full of small circular 

 valleys that teem with graminaceous verdure, and are watered 

 by numerous streams, this chain affords an ideal residence for 

 the lordly bighorn ; and that its advantages are appreciated 

 is evident from the large number that frequent it at all seasons. 

 The party which I accompanied consisted of three sturdy 

 miners, a sporting merchant, and a captain in the cavalry who 

 was enjoying a short vacation. The miners were experienced 

 " tramps " and veteran Nimrods, having often been compelled 

 to depend on their rifles for food while out on " prospecting " 

 tours ; so we left the provisioning of the detachment and the 

 selection of the route entirely to them. 



Starting out from a mining hamlet early in the morning, 

 the evening of the same day found us encamped at the base of 

 the mountains; and, as we had to be astir before dawn, we 

 retired to our hard couch on the ground quite early in the 

 evening. Long before the sun began to appear above the 

 eastern peaks the next morning we were laboriously clamber- 



