My First Summer 



Mr. Delaney now keeps up a solemn talk 

 about the need of getting away from these 

 high mountains, telling sad stories of flocks 

 that perished in storms that broke suddenly 

 into the midst of fine innocent weather like 

 this we are now enjoying. "In no case," 

 said he, " will I venture to stay so high and 

 far back in the mountains as we now are 

 later than the middle of this month, no mat- 

 ter how warm and sunny it may be." He 

 would move the flock slowly at first, a few 

 miles a day until the Yosemite Creek basin 

 was reached and crossed, then while linger- 

 ing in the heavy pine woods should the 

 weather threaten he could hurry down to 

 the foothills, where the snow never falls deep 

 enough to smother a sheep. Of course I am 

 anxious to see as much of the wilderness as 

 possible in the few days left me, and I say 

 again, May the good time come when I 

 can stay as long as I like with plenty of bread, 

 far and free from trampling flocks, though 

 I may well be thankful for this generous food- 

 [ 330] 



