At St. Mary's 



until all were winding their way down- 

 ward. Cautiously, suspiciously, they came, 

 the leader halting every few steps, and leav- 

 ing the trail to perch himself in a com- 

 manding position on some projecting ledge, 

 there to take an exhaustive look over the 

 rocks below. At each of these halts I 

 held my hreath in suspense, fearful that 

 some unusual sound might startle our game, 

 and set them all running. 



But down they came, nearer and nearer. 

 Would they turn as they reached the ba- 

 sin, and seek the nearest lick ? If so, we 

 would not get a shot, for we could never 

 get within range without being seen. 



We watched with painful intensity as 

 they approached this lick. Slowly they 

 came, daintily picking their way over the 

 jagged rocks, never a misstep, and scarcely 

 a sound. They neared the turning-point, 

 reached it, and, without an instant's hesi- 

 tation, the leader passed on, taking the 

 straight trail leading in our direction. We 

 looked at each other eloquently ; they 

 were as good as ours. They had finally 

 gotten to within about three hundred yards 

 from us when they became hidden from 

 view. We stood this state of things for a 

 moment or two ; and then the suspense be- 

 came too great, and we left our shelter with 



291 



