CAMP FIRES IN THE YUKON 99 



again for our rams on the mountains, but the moun- 

 tains were hidden in swirling clouds of snow, entirely 

 obscuring the sheep and making hunting upon the 

 slopes a hopeless game of blind man's buff. We 

 sat down to make a fire for our tea pail, and as it 

 began to rain in the valley, we decided to make our 

 way back to camp. 



While riding along the St. Clair bottoms in the 

 afternoon with the cold rain and hail pelting us in 

 the back and the snow swirling over the mountains 

 on either side, we observed a little knoll near the 

 bank around which six red foxes were playing, dart- 

 ing in and out of several holes or tunnels. We sat 

 upon our horses and watched them playing for some 

 time only seventy-five yards away. As we went for- 

 ward slowly they sat up like red fluffy dogs and 

 watched us until we had covered half the distance, 

 when four of them stampeded and with outstretched 

 tails almost sailed up the bank and over the ridge. 

 The other two merely crept to the edge of their 

 tunnel into the knoll and continued their intent 

 watchfulness until we were within fifteen feet, when 

 with incredible swiftness they flashed into their 

 holes. 



August 27. When in camp none of us dream 

 of getting up until Fisher gives his early breakfast 

 call of " muck-a-muck," so we simply continue to 

 sleep until we are called. This morning at four 

 Fisher had a mild attack of humor and came to my 



