8o CAMP FIRES IN THE YUKON 



man mite that finds himself amidst such a setting, 

 begets a feeling of the infinite magnitude and might 

 of Great Nature and a corresponding sense of help- 

 lessness and infinite smallness of the beholder; for, 

 gazing at the towering seas of snow-clad crests 

 tossed to heaven, one feels the sense of the Maker 

 of such a stupendous picture, painted with majesty, 

 strung to silence, lit by the glory of perfect sun- 

 shine, with the peace of God mantling the scene as 

 a benedicite. 



A long time we lingered upon the heights, loath 

 to depart and descend to our little tasks and small 

 pleasures. On the bench above Count Creek we 

 overtook the horses and camped at the first willow 

 patch for the night. After hobbling the animals 

 and collecting willows for a fire, our attention was 

 attracted to a yearling caribou that possessed an 

 immense amount of curiosity and persisted in cir- 

 cling about our camp at close range, until we remem- 

 bered that we needed meat and, since a good supply 

 was bent on coming right up to the frying pan, we 

 did not refuse the opportunity to replenish our 

 larder. 



After supper we disdained tent and were content 

 to roll up in our warm sleeping robes and watch the 

 stars just above the shadowy peaks, until the Aurora, 

 flaming across the northern sky, held all our interest. 

 It is light enough to permit a belated writing of the 

 diary, and against the pulsating white brightness Mt. 



