IN TIMBER AND BRtfLfiE. 235 



very rare merit in the mainland stags two moderately 

 developed brow-antlers. 



After the death of this stag good fortune seemed to 

 desert us, for hunt as we would, either together or singly, 

 neither of us came upon a shootable beast. But a second 

 fall of snow helped us once more to see what game was about, 

 and this time our suspicions became certainties, for the only 

 tracks to be found were those of does, and all headed in one 

 direction. We consequently decided to forsake the high 

 ground where we had been so successful, and to descend 

 to the lower levels. 



Upon those more than breezy heights there are few spots 

 suitable for camping, and as we had but a blanket apiece, 

 we spent far too many of our nights in a reek of in-blown 

 wood-smoke. Our eyes suffered quite severely, Ed being 

 almost smoke-blind at one time, in view of which it was 

 fortunate that our chances of shooting came early in the 

 trip. Although I dislike cold as much as other people, I 

 still more dislike a stove in the tent, and until absolutely 

 forced by the weather will have none of it. Even in the 

 chilliest autumn a lean-to and an open fire are, in my opinion, 

 far preferable. 



That night it turned very cold. Indeed, though com- 

 paratively early in the season, I7th October, the frost 

 which then commenced held until the following spring, 

 so that we had some difficulty in reaching the open water 

 of the lake. But at length we made our way through, 

 and set up a snug camp in the green timber. 



No sooner were we settled than a gale, accompanied by 

 heavy snow, began to rise, and the wind blew sc- fiercely 

 that it brought us out of our blankets in the small hours 

 to cut away all overhanging branches and to lop the sur- 

 rounding trees. With these we made a zariba, inside which 

 we v^ere exceedingly comfortable. From this date we re- 

 turned to camp each evening with increasing pleasure, after 



