178 HUNTING SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



jumped up, cut poles with our heavy knives, and spread- 

 ing my blanket, which was the largest, over them, and 

 laying ourselves on the other, underneath it, after making 

 up the fire afresh, that the rain might not put it out, we 

 were soon fast asleep. 



Next morning brought fresh troubles, but no reward. 

 Dispirited, we wandered the whole day through the wet 

 forest, without seeing a turkey. The meat we had 

 brought with us was getting low, as we had not been very 

 saving of it, and had given the larger share to the dogs ; 

 after breakfast there was one small piece left for each to 

 share with his dog at night ; still hoping, we walked on 

 cautiously and attentively till late at night, without see- 

 ing even so much as a vulture. 



On the morning of the 29th of January, we sat by the 

 fire with empty stomachs, and stared sorrowfully at the 

 crackling flames. At length Conwell burst out with a 

 loud laugh, and asked whether we were forced to remain 

 in this deserted spot, and why we should not go home. 

 But I would not give it up yet ; to go home with noth- 

 ing but a panther's skin full of holes was too bad, and 

 I begged for one more day ; at any rate, if we found no- 

 thing before twelve o'clock, we could then meet at the 

 camp and return home. In silence, and on the watch 

 for the merest trifles, I wandered with Bearsgrease 

 through all the places where hitherto I had almost al- 

 ways found game, without meeting a sign ; and my hun- 

 ger was quite painful. How I thought of shooting parties 

 at home, where one was sure of finding some sort of a 

 house every half hour ; here, was only thick forest, where 

 one wet dripping tree looked exactly like another. And 



